How much does it cost to paint a room?

DIY: $65-$250 per room (paint + supplies). Professional: small room: $200-$500. Large room: $300-$800. Whole house interior: $2,000-$6,000. Cost factors: room size, ceiling height, number of coats, paint quality, trim included, and prep work needed. Paint cost: budget: $15-$25/gallon. Premium: $40-$80/gallon. A room typically needs 2 gallons (2 coats). The biggest DIY savings: labor is 70-80% of professional painting cost.

What is the best paint sheen for walls?

Most popular: eggshell. Slight sheen, hides imperfections, easy to clean. Best for most rooms. Best for kitchens and bathrooms: satin. More washable, handles humidity. Best for ceilings: flat. Hides imperfections, no glare. Best for trim and doors: semi-gloss. Durable, washable, attractive contrast. The recommendation: eggshell for walls, satin for kitchens and baths, flat for ceilings, semi-gloss for trim. This is the most popular combination and what most painters recommend.

How many coats of paint do I need?

Standard: 2 coats. This provides full coverage, even color, and durability. One coat may work when: same color touch-up. Paint-and-primer-in-one over similar color. Very high-quality paint. Three coats needed when: covering very dark colors with light. Red, yellow, or bright colors (poor coverage pigments). Very porous surfaces. Primer note: if you need to prime, that is a separate coat BEFORE your 2 coats of paint. Total: 1 primer + 2 finish coats = 3 total coats. Always prime: new drywall, bare wood, stained areas, and dark-to-light color changes.

What are the most popular paint colors?

Most popular interior paint colors: white (for trim, ceilings, and walls). Warm white/off-white: the most popular wall color. Greige (gray-beige): versatile neutral. Light gray: modern, clean. Soft blue: calming, popular for bedrooms. Navy blue: dramatic accent walls. Sage green: nature-inspired, trending. Black: trending for accents, trim, and exteriors. Most popular brands: Benjamin Moore (premium, excellent coverage). Sherwin-Williams (premium, wide selection). Behr (mid-range, great value at Home Depot). PPG (mid-range, available at Lowe's). Tip: always buy a sample ($5-$10) and paint a test area before committing. Colors look different on the wall than on a chip.

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Finishing

Interior Painting Guide: Cost, Tips & How to Paint

Lumberama Editorial Team, Painting & Home Improvement Specialists Nov 7, 2026 9 min read

Paint Types and Sheens

Paint types: Latex (water-based): most popular for interiors. Easy cleanup (soap and water). Low odor. Dries quickly (1-2 hours). Flexible (resists cracking). Oil-based (alkyd): more durable finish. Better adhesion on bare wood and metal. Stronger odor (requires ventilation). Cleanup with mineral spirits. Longer dry time (8-24 hours). Best for: trim, doors, and cabinets.

Sheens (from least to most shiny): Flat/matte: no shine. Hides imperfections. Hard to clean (marks and scuffs). Best for: ceilings, low-traffic rooms, textured walls. Eggshell: slight sheen. Most popular for walls. Easy to clean. Hides minor imperfections. Best for: living rooms, bedrooms, hallways. Satin: moderate sheen. More washable than eggshell. Best for: kitchens, bathrooms, kids rooms, hallways. Semi-gloss: noticeable shine. Very durable and washable. Best for: trim, doors, cabinets, bathrooms, kitchens. Gloss: high shine. Most durable. Shows every imperfection. Best for: trim and accents (rarely used on walls).

Cost

Paint (per gallon): Budget: $15-$25. Mid-range: $25-$40. Premium (Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams): $40-$80+. One gallon covers: 350-400 sq ft (one coat). Most rooms need 2 coats.

A typical room (12x12, ~400 sq ft of wall): Paint: 2 gallons ($30-$160). Primer (if needed): 1 gallon ($15-$40). Supplies (tape, roller, brushes, drop cloths): $20-$50. Total DIY: $65-$250 per room.

Professional painting (per room): Small room (bedroom): $200-$500. Large room (living room): $300-$800. Whole house interior: $2,000-$6,000.

Per sq ft (professional): Walls only: $1-$3/sq ft. Including trim: $2-$4/sq ft.

For a typical home interior (2,000 sq ft of paintable surface): DIY: $300-$800 (paint and supplies). Professional: $2,000-$6,000.

How to Paint a Room

Preparation (the most important step): Move furniture to the center and cover. Remove outlet and switch covers. Fill holes and cracks with spackle. Sand rough spots. Clean walls (wipe with damp cloth). Apply painter's tape to trim, ceiling edges, and around windows. Lay drop cloths.

Priming (when needed): New drywall (always prime). Covering dark colors with light. Stained areas. Bare wood.

Painting order: 1. Ceiling (if painting). 2. Walls: cut in edges first (brush around ceiling, trim, corners). 3. Roll the walls (W or M pattern, then smooth vertically). 4. Second coat (wait recommended dry time). 5. Trim and doors last (use semi-gloss). 6. Remove tape while final coat is still slightly tacky.