Cost of Painting a Living Room
Last updated 19th May, 2025
Want to find out how much painting a living room costs?
We've got you covered! This guide breaks down all the costs involved in painting a living room — from how much painters and decorators charge to what different types of paint cost.
Carry on reading for more!
Table of Contents
How Much to Paint a Living Room?
The average living room painting cost for a small to medium living room is around £400.
While this estimate includes materials and labour, it's important to note that the cost to paint a room depends on multiple factors, including:
- Brand and quality of materials used.
- Whether you want a feature wall.
- Prior work needs to be done.
- Additional work you could bundle in at the same time (e.g., painting skirting boards).
- Where you're located in the UK.
So, when getting quotes for the cost to decorate a room, remember to think about the whole process rather than just the paint and labour.
Living Room Painting Prices
The cost to paint a room mainly depends on the room's size.
In the table below, you can see estimated ranges for small, standard and very large living rooms. This should help you calculate roughly how much you should expect it to cost to paint a living room in the UK.
| Room Type | Est. Cost |
|---|---|
| Small Room (3m x 3m) | £250 - £350 |
| Standard Room (5m x 5m) | £450 - £650 |
| Large Room (7.5m x 6m) | £810 - £1,170 |
Supply Only Costs
If you want to purchase materials and take on the job yourself, the average cost to paint a room will be:
| Room Type | Supply Only Cost |
|---|---|
| Small Room (3m x 3m) | £50 - £80 |
| Standard Room (5m x 5m) | £80 - £120 |
| Large Room (7.5m x 6m) | £145 - £215 |
Factors That Can Impact Room Painting Costs
No two living room painting jobs will be exactly the same, so it's worth understanding what extra work you might need to have done at the same time.
Some of these factors won't apply to your living room, but others may cost extra or take extra time if you decide to do them yourself.
Repairs and Cleaning
If there is lots of filling in to do, or if the walls or ceiling have damp patches that will require sealant, then you should expect to pay a little more.
The condition of the woodwork affects the price, too. If gloss is peeling and needs to be stripped off, then this will add extra time to the job.
Another extra cost of painting a room can occur if the ceiling or walls have nicotine stains. In this case, they will usually need to be washed with sugar soap prior to the actual painting, again adding time and money.
Wallpaper Removal
If you need wallpaper removed to give a nice smooth finish then this will add extra time and higher costs to the job.
Wallpaper removal is time-consuming, and the condition of the wall underneath can be patchy. This may not become evident until the wallpaper has been stripped.
If "woodchip" paper has to be removed, this will often mean more damage to the walls, so more preparation work will be required before painting.
Plastering
Most painters and decorators are happy to repair damaged walls and make minor repairs. However, if the walls are in a really bad state and you need to have the entire wall re-plastered, then this will cost more and will not be included in the quote.
The cost to plaster a room will depend on its size. For example, re-plastering a small room may cost between £390 and £500.
Living Room Painting Cost Breakdown Calculator
Individual costs for hiring a painter and decorator to paint a living room: £400
Materials
£100
Tradesmen
£300
Waste Removal
£0
How Much Do Painters Charge Per Room?
Most decorators charge around £150 per day. You're looking at around 2 days' worth of work for painting a living room.
The vast majority of the cost of painting a room is normally labour, as most decorators get a heavy discount on the cost of the paint and materials.
You can be lucky if the tradesperson you choose isn't too busy as they may lower the prices just to get the work. But in the summer when they are busy, expect the quotes to be higher.
Your location is also a factor in the quoted costs to paint a room. For example, living costs in London are considerably higher, so this will be reflected in the quotes provided by painters and decorators.
Feature Wall Cost
A feature wall is designed to be a focal point within a living room. As such, it can add to the cost of decorating a room.
If you're adding a feature wall, bear in mind the following potential costs:
- More premium materials for this section of wall.
- Special features or finishes.
- Custom materials or designs.
- Extra labour required.
Having a feature wall doesn't have to increase the cost of painting a room. However, if you opt for a premium design or materials, the overall price tag will rise accordingly.
What Does Painting a Living Room Involve?
Painting a front room is a fairly straightforward job, but will still entail moving all the furniture from the room, then carrying out any minor repairs to the existing wall and woodwork.
After all that, the actual painting can begin, though in some cases it may also be necessary to strip wallpaper first.
Only then can the walls, door, ceiling, skirting boards, door, window sills and frames be painted.
Normally, this would involve a coat of emulsion on the walls and an undercoat, then gloss to all the woodwork.
FAQs
How to Find and Hire a Painter for Your Living Room
When gathering quotes from painters and decorators always ask whether the price is fixed or if they charge per day or hour.
Remember when comparing quotes to check on the brand of paint they are using. Good brands such as Dulux can cost as much as 3 times more than cheaper DIY store brands, so make sure you are comparing like for like.
You should also check that quotes are provided on headed paper with an address, landline phone number and VAT number if registered (also confirm if the quote includes VAT or not).
You should ideally get multiple quotes on the cost of painting a room to ensure you're paying a competitive rate.
