Typical prices by room
These figures assume walls and ceiling in two coats, with the woodwork (skirting, door and frame, window board) included, in an average-condition room with normal preparation. Walls only will be cheaper; lots of filling, stain-blocking or a dramatic colour change will be more.
| Room | Walls only | Walls, ceiling and woodwork |
|---|---|---|
| Box room / small bedroom | £160 – £300 | £220 – £420 |
| Double bedroom | £220 – £420 | £350 – £650 |
| Living room | £280 – £550 | £450 – £850 |
| Kitchen | £220 – £450 | £350 – £700 |
| Bathroom | £180 – £350 | £250 – £500 |
| Hall, stairs and landing | £400 – £900 | £600 – £1,400 |
Indicative cost to paint a room in the UK (2026, labour and paint included)
How much of that is labour?
Labour is typically 75–85% of the cost of painting a room. A decorator outside London will usually charge £180–£280 a day, rising to £250–£350 in London and parts of the South East. Paint is a much smaller part of the bill: a double bedroom might need 5–7 litres of emulsion for the walls, 2–3 litres for the ceiling and a tin of satinwood for the woodwork – roughly £60–£150 in trade-quality paint.
So a decorator spending two and a half days on a bedroom at £220 a day, plus £100 of materials, lands at around £650. That's why preparation and woodwork have such a big impact on the final price – they're all time.
What pushes the price up
Rooms vary much more than you'd think. These are the usual reasons a quote comes in higher than expected:
- Cracked or damaged plaster that needs filling and sanding
- Stains from water, smoke or nicotine that need a stain-blocking primer
- Going from a dark colour to a light one (or vice versa)
- High ceilings, coving, picture rails and dado rails
- Panelled doors, lots of woodwork, or woodwork that needs stripping
- A full room of furniture to move and protect
- New plaster, which needs a mist coat before the top coats
Rather leave it to a professional?
Paint quality makes a difference
Most decorators use trade paints, which cover well and are designed for professional use. Some customers prefer designer brands, which can cost two or three times as much per litre and sometimes need an extra coat. If you have a specific brand in mind, mention it when you ask for quotes – it can add £50–£200 to a single room.
For kitchens and bathrooms, a durable, washable finish is worth the extra. Our guide to the best paint finishes for kitchens and bathrooms explains why.
How long does it take?
A small bedroom might be done in a day or a day and a half. A double bedroom with ceiling and woodwork is typically two to three days, because paint needs time to dry between coats and gloss or satinwood on the woodwork is applied last. Our guide on how long it takes a painter to paint a bedroom has a day-by-day breakdown.
Getting an accurate quote
Ask the decorator to visit, or send clear photos and measurements. A good quote will list exactly what's included – walls, ceiling, woodwork, number of coats, preparation and paint. If you're getting several rooms done, ask about a whole-job price, which is often better value than pricing each room separately.
You can compare typical painter and decorator costs across the UK, or get free quotes from local interior decorators.
