Average costs
For a typical two-storey house, painting the hallway, stairs and landing – walls, ceilings and woodwork – usually costs £600–£1,400. Three-storey houses, period homes with tall stairwells and houses with lots of spindles can easily cost £1,500–£2,500.
| Property | Walls and ceilings | Including woodwork and banisters |
|---|---|---|
| Flat or small hallway | £200 – £400 | £300 – £600 |
| Two-storey terrace or semi | £450 – £900 | £600 – £1,400 |
| Detached two-storey house | £600 – £1,100 | £900 – £1,800 |
| Three-storey house | £900 – £1,600 | £1,500 – £2,500 |
Indicative costs to paint a hall, stairs and landing (2026)
Why hallways cost so much
The stairwell wall is often the tallest single wall in the house, running from the ground floor to the top of the landing. Reaching it safely means stair platforms, ladders or a small tower, which take time to set up and move. Then there are lots of doors opening onto the landing, all with frames and skirting, plus the banister, handrail and spindles – one of the slowest bits of woodwork to paint.
- Tall stairwell walls that need special access equipment
- Many doors, frames and lengths of skirting
- Spindles, newel posts and handrails
- High traffic, so walls are usually scuffed and need more preparation
- It's a through-route, so the decorator has to work around the household
Spindles and banisters
A traditional staircase might have 20–40 spindles, each painted by hand on all sides. Stripping and repainting spindles that have years of built-up paint can add hundreds of pounds on its own. If they're in decent condition, a light sand and two coats is much quicker.
Varnished handrails are another option – many people keep a natural wood handrail and paint the spindles white for contrast.
Rather leave it to a professional?
Choosing a hard-wearing finish
Hallways get knocked by bags, bikes, prams and pets. A durable, scrubbable emulsion is worth the extra cost here, and a mid-sheen or eggshell finish on the lower part of the wall is easier to clean. Our guide to paint finishes explains the options.
How long it takes
Most two-storey hallways take three to five days. The decorator usually works from the top down: landing ceiling and walls first, then the stairwell, then the hall, finishing with the woodwork. Because the hall is in constant use, it's worth discussing timings – some decorators can keep a walkway clear.
Get quotes from local interior decorators, and see our guide to what it costs to paint a room for the rest of the house.
