1 room paint cost typically ranges from $300 to $1,000 for walls only, or $600 to $2,000 when including trim and ceilings. Here’s what you can expect:

Quick Cost Breakdown:

• Small room (bathroom): $200-$500
• Medium room (bedroom): $350-$850
• Large room (living room): $600-$1,200
• Professional labor: 70-85% of total cost
• DIY supplies only: $150-$300

Whether you’re staring at tired walls that need refreshing or planning a complete room makeover, understanding painting costs helps you budget smartly. The price difference between a small bathroom touch-up and a large living room change can be dramatic – and it’s not just about room size.

Labor costs dominate most painting projects, accounting for the majority of your final bill. Paint quality, surface preparation, ceiling height, and your location all play major roles in determining what you’ll actually pay. Professional painters typically charge $2 to $6 per square foot, while DIY projects focus mainly on material costs.

I’m James M. Cleaver, with over 25 years of painting experience in the Springfield area. I’ve helped hundreds of homeowners understand 1 room paint cost factors so they can make informed decisions about their painting projects. My goal is always to deliver quality work that fits your budget and exceeds your expectations.

Understanding 1 Room Paint Cost Factors

The true cost of painting a room goes far beyond just buying a gallon of paint and a brush. We’ve seen homeowners surprised by the final bill because they didn’t account for all the variables that influence pricing. Let’s break down the key factors that determine your 1 room paint cost.

Room Size and Square Footage Impact

Room size is the foundation of any painting estimate, but it’s more complex than just length times width. We calculate the total paintable wall area by measuring the perimeter of the room and multiplying by ceiling height. For accurate estimates, we subtract approximately 21 square feet for each standard door and 16 square feet for each window.

Here’s a practical example: A 10′ x 12′ room with 8′ ceilings has a perimeter of 44 feet. Multiply by 8 feet high, and you get 352 square feet of wall space. Subtract one door (21 sq ft) and two windows (32 sq ft), and you’re left with 299 square feet of paintable surface.

Coverage rates matter significantly. One gallon of quality paint typically covers 350-400 square feet per coat, but textured walls can reduce this to as little as 250 square feet. We always recommend two coats for optimal coverage and durability, which means our example room needs about 2 gallons of paint.

The relationship between room size and cost isn’t always linear. Smaller rooms often have a higher cost per square foot because of minimum labor charges and setup time. Many contractors charge a minimum project fee of $250 to $500, making small bathroom projects relatively expensive per square foot.

Paint Quality and Type Selection

Paint quality dramatically affects both upfront costs and long-term satisfaction. We’ve learned that investing in better paint often saves money in the long run by requiring fewer coats and lasting longer.

Paint pricing tiers break down as follows:

• Economy paint: $15-$35 per gallon
• Mid-tier paint: $35-$50 per gallon
• Premium paint: $50-$80 per gallon

Latex paint dominates the interior market for good reasons – it’s easier to clean up, has lower odor, and environmental impact. Oil-based paints, while more durable, typically cost $25-$70 per gallon and are being phased out for environmental reasons.

Paint finishes significantly impact both cost and performance:

• Flat/Matte: Best for low-traffic areas, hides imperfections well
• Eggshell: Slight sheen, good for bedrooms and living areas
• Satin: Durable and cleanable, ideal for kitchens and bathrooms
• Semi-gloss: Very durable, perfect for trim and high-moisture areas
• High-gloss: Most durable and expensive, typically $16-$76 per gallon

Product and Supplies Data: Home Depot Paints, Stains and Supplies

Primer costs add $15-$30 per gallon but are essential for new drywall, dramatic color changes, or stained surfaces. We always include primer costs in our estimates when needed because skipping it leads to poor coverage and customer dissatisfaction.

Surface Preparation Requirements

Surface preparation often determines the difference between a paint job that lasts two years versus ten years. We spend significant time on prep work because it’s the foundation of quality results.

Standard preparation includes:

• Cleaning walls to remove dirt, grease, and cobwebs
• Filling nail holes and small cracks with spackling compound
• Sanding rough spots and glossy surfaces
• Caulking gaps around trim and baseboards
• Protecting floors and furniture with drop cloths

Additional prep work that increases costs:

• Wall repairs: $0.50-$1 per square foot for extensive patching
• Wallpaper removal: Can add $1-$3 per square foot
• Texture application or removal: $1-$3 per square foot
• Mold treatment: Requires special primers and techniques

Textured walls like popcorn or heavy orange peel require about 25% more paint and increase labor time. We factor this into our estimates because it significantly affects both material and labor costs.

Professional vs DIY 1 Room Paint Cost Comparison

When it comes to painting a room, most homeowners ask themselves, “Should I paint it myself or hire a pro?” The answer isn’t just about money—though that’s a big part of it. At Springfield Paint Pros, we’ve seen each route have its shining moments (and its share of paint-splattered mishaps).

Let’s lay out the numbers for a typical bedroom-sized space, so you can see what’s really at stake with your 1 room paint cost:

Cost Factor	Professional	DIY
Labor	$170–$680 per room	Your time (6–10 hrs)
Paint & Primer	Included in quote	$50–$150
Supplies & Tools	Included	$50–$100
Equipment	Included	$25–$75 (rental/purchase)
Cleanup	Included	Your time
Warranty	Yes	None
Total for typical room	$400–$1,000	$150–$350

Professional Painting Costs

When you hire a professional painter, you’re paying for much more than just someone with a steady hand. Experience, efficiency, and peace of mind all come with the package. In Springfield, hourly rates for painters usually fall between $30 and $80 per hour, but most jobs are quoted per square foot or per room—usually $2 to $6 per square foot depending on the details.

Here’s what’s rolled into the professional price: all the labor for prep, painting, and cleanup; high-quality paints and supplies; all necessary equipment and safety gear; insurance and bonding; plus, a warranty on the work. At Springfield Paint Pros, we also manage your project timeline and keep your home protected every step of the way.

Don’t be surprised by minimum fees—no matter how small your room is, there’s setup and cleanup time involved. That’s why most contractors set a minimum charge of $300–$500 for any indoor painting job. Labor is the biggest slice of the pie, making up 70–85% of your 1 room paint cost. The upside? Most pro jobs are done in a day. That means less time living with plastic-covered furniture.

DIY Painting Expenses

Tackling a painting project on your own can seem like an easy way to save. And sometimes, it is—especially if you already own some basic supplies and have a free weekend. But be ready for the true cost.

A typical DIY paint job for a 12′ x 12′ room will have you spending about $50–$150 on paint (two coats), another $15–$30 for primer if you need it, and roughly $50–$100 on supplies like brushes, rollers, drop cloths, and painter’s tape. Don’t forget sandpaper, spackle, and a tray or two. If you’re without a ladder, count on $25–$50 for a rental. Cleanup supplies add a bit more, and—let’s be honest—there’s always at least one extra trip to the store.

What many folks don’t realize is how long it takes. Prep, paint, and cleanup can easily eat up 6–10 hours of your time. If you value your weekend (or your back!), weigh these hours into your total 1 room paint cost. And if mistakes happen—say, a rogue roller leaves you with a two-tone ceiling—buying extra supplies (and extra time) can erase the savings in a hurry.

Whether you decide on DIY or bringing in a pro, the best choice is the one that matches your budget, skill, and schedule. At Springfield Paint Pros, we’re always here if you need expert help—or just a little advice before you open that first can of paint.

Average 1 Room Paint Cost by Room Type

Every room in your home tells a different story, and each one comes with its own painting challenges and costs. After painting thousands of rooms across Springfield and the surrounding areas, I’ve learned that 1 room paint cost varies dramatically based on the specific room type and its unique characteristics.

The reality is that a bathroom requires different paint types and techniques than a living room, and a kitchen presents moisture challenges that don’t exist in bedrooms. Understanding these differences helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises when you get your final estimate.

Small Room Painting Costs

Bathroom painting keeps us busy year-round, and for good reason – these hardworking spaces need refreshing more often than other rooms. A typical bathroom with 40-50 square feet of wall space costs $200-$500 for walls only. The confined space makes the work slower, and we always use moisture-resistant paint formulations that cost a bit more but last much longer.

Don’t let the small size fool you into thinking bathrooms are cheap to paint. The humidity, tight corners around fixtures, and need for precise cutting around mirrors and medicine cabinets means we spend almost as much time on a small bathroom as a medium bedroom.

Powder rooms present an interesting paradox – they’re tiny but still cost $150-$350 because our setup time and minimum labor charges apply regardless of size. The upside? These small spaces are perfect for trying that bold color you’ve been dreaming about without breaking the budget.

Closet painting runs $75-$200 per closet, depending on whether we’re talking about a coat closet or a walk-in master closet. Sometimes we need to remove shelving or work around hanging systems, which adds to the complexity. Walk-in closets with multiple walls and angles take significantly more time than a simple reach-in closet.

Accent walls have become incredibly popular, and they typically add 20-30% to your base room cost. That single dramatic wall in your bedroom might add $100-$200 to the total project, but the visual impact is often worth every penny. The extra cost comes from the precise cutting work needed to create clean lines between colors.

Medium Room Painting Costs

Bedroom painting represents our bread and butter – we probably paint more bedrooms than any other room type. A standard 12′ x 12′ bedroom costs $350-$850 for walls only, while adding trim and ceiling work brings the total to $700-$2,600. Master bedrooms, with their larger footprint and often higher ceilings, typically run $400-$1,200 just for walls.

We love bedroom projects because they’re usually straightforward, but every bedroom has its personality. Some have multiple windows, others have built-in furniture, and master bedrooms often connect to bathrooms or walk-in closets that affect our workflow.

Home office painting costs about the same as bedrooms – $400-$900 for a standard space – but these rooms often require extra care around computer equipment and built-in shelving. We’ve learned to plan carefully around home offices because many people work from home and can’t have their space disrupted for long.

Dining room painting ranges from $400-$1,000, but formal dining rooms often cost more due to architectural details like chair rails, wainscoting, or coffered ceilings. These neat features look beautiful but require careful brushwork and add significantly to labor time.

Ceiling height makes a huge difference in your final cost. Our base pricing assumes standard 8-foot ceilings, but 9-foot ceilings add 10-20% to costs. When you get into vaulted or cathedral ceilings, costs can jump 50% or more because we need special equipment and safety measures.

Large Room Painting Costs

Living room painting varies more than any other room type because these spaces range from cozy to cavernous. A typical 15′ x 20′ living room costs $600-$1,200 for walls only, but great rooms or open-concept spaces can easily reach $1,500-$3,000.

The challenge with living rooms is that they’re often the most complex spaces in the home. They might have fireplaces, built-in entertainment centers, multiple doorways, or large windows that affect our work flow and material calculations.

Family room painting often involves multiple colors, especially when there are built-in features or accent walls. Most family rooms fall in the $700-$1,500 range, but the final cost depends heavily on how many different elements we’re working around.

Open-concept spaces have become the norm in newer homes, but they present unique challenges for painting estimates. These aren’t really single rooms – they’re multiple connected spaces that we typically quote as separate zones. However, we often offer package pricing for the entire space. A large open-concept main floor might cost $2,000-$4,000 for walls only, but the efficiency of doing it all at once often saves money compared to painting each area separately.

Vaulted ceilings are beautiful but expensive to paint. We add 25-50% to base pricing for rooms with vaulted or cathedral ceilings, depending on the height and how difficult they are to access safely. The extra cost covers specialized equipment rental and the additional time needed to work at height safely.

Additional Costs and Considerations

Beyond basic painting, several factors can significantly impact your final 1 room paint cost. We always discuss these potential additions upfront to avoid surprises – nobody likes unexpected bills halfway through their project!

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Hidden Painting Expenses

Every room has its secrets, and some of those secrets can impact your budget. Drywall repairs top our list of common additional costs. While we include minor repairs like nail holes in our standard pricing, larger issues add $0.50-$1 per square foot. Sometimes extensive damage means bringing in a separate drywall contractor before we can even start painting.

Wallpaper removal is where projects can get expensive quickly. We’ve peeled off everything from modern vinyl to 1970s foil wallpaper that seemed glued on with industrial adhesive. Removal costs $1-$3 per square foot, depending on what we’re dealing with. Vinyl wallpapers usually come off without too much drama, but those older papers with multiple layers? That’s a different story entirely.

Mold treatment requires special primers and sometimes professional remediation before we touch a brush to the wall. We see this most often in bathrooms and basements, where moisture creates perfect conditions for mold growth. This can add $100-$500 to typical projects, but it’s essential for your family’s health.

Sometimes multiple coats beyond our standard two become necessary. Going from dark purple to crisp white? You’ll likely need an extra coat, which adds 25-40% to both material and labor costs. We’d rather be upfront about this than have you disappointed with the coverage.

Color changes from existing paint often require primer, especially when switching from dark to light colors or changing paint types entirely. Trim painting deserves special mention because it’s incredibly labor-intensive detail work. Interior trim costs $1-$3 per linear foot, which can add $500-$1,500 to a whole-home interior project.

Money-Saving Strategies

Smart timing can save you serious money. Off-season scheduling during fall and winter months can reduce costs by 10-20% because we’re typically less busy and can offer better pricing for flexible homeowners. Think of it as the painting equivalent of booking a vacation in the off-season.

Multiple rooms painted simultaneously offer excellent savings because we share setup time across the project. Painting three bedrooms together might save 15-25% compared to tackling them individually. It’s more efficient for us, and those savings get passed along to you.

Paint selection offers real opportunities to stretch your budget. Mid-tier paints often provide excellent value, giving you better coverage than economy options without premium pricing. We help customers find that sweet spot between quality and cost – you don’t always need the most expensive paint to get great results.

Prep work you handle yourself can significantly reduce labor costs. Moving furniture, taking down wall hangings, and basic cleaning can save $100-$300 on typical projects. Just remember, we’re happy to do this work if you prefer to leave everything to the professionals.

Contractor negotiations work best when you’re flexible on timing and understand our costs. We genuinely appreciate customers who value quality work and are often willing to work within reasonable budgets. Honest communication about your needs and constraints helps us find creative solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Room Painting Costs

How much does it cost to paint one bedroom?

Most homeowners find that painting a typical bedroom lands between $350 and $850 for walls only. If you want to include the trim and ceiling, the total can climb to about $700–$2,600. That’s a big range, but it’s all about the details—things like room size, ceiling height, the quality of paint you choose, and local labor rates.

A small, simple 10′ x 10′ bedroom might cost as little as $320–$650 for the walls. On the other hand, a spacious master bedroom, especially with tall ceilings or fancy finishes, could cost $800–$1,300 or more just for walls.

There are a few things that can push your 1 room paint cost higher. Tall ceilings (anything over 8 feet), textured walls, multiple paint colors, accent walls, or any extra prep work for fixing up damaged drywall can all add to your bill. Premium paint finishes—like satin or semi-gloss—also bump up the price, but they’re worth it for their durability and easy cleaning down the road.

What factors increase painting costs the most?

The biggest piece of the budget pie is labor costs—these usually make up 70–85% of your total painting bill. Anything that adds more time or effort for the painter will raise your final 1 room paint cost.

The top things that drive up price are:

• Extensive surface prep (think wall repairs, scraping, or removing wallpaper)
• High ceilings (especially 10 feet or taller, which need ladders and extra safety steps)
• Complex rooms (rooms with built-ins, lots of trim, or tricky angles)
• Higher-end paints or finishes (these look great and last, but cost more up front)
• Your location (labor rates change a lot depending on where you live)

Right here in Springfield, OH, we see the biggest swings in price due to ceiling height and how much prep work is needed. A bedroom in good shape with standard ceilings might only run $400, but if there’s a lot of patching or high ceilings, you could be looking at $800 or more.

Should I hire a professional or paint myself?

This is one of the most common questions we hear! The answer depends on your time, skills, budget, and what kind of results you want.

If you have some painting experience, the right tools, and a free weekend, DIY can save you money. The material costs for painting a standard 12′ x 12′ bedroom usually run $150–$300, but don’t forget to count the 6–10 hours you’ll spend on prep, painting, and cleanup. If you’re okay with a few imperfections and like a good project, DIY might be a fun option.

But if you’re short on time, want crisp lines and a guaranteed finish, or your room has high ceilings or special textures, hiring a professional is usually best. For a room this size, most pros (like Springfield Paint Pros!) charge $400–$800 for walls only. That covers labor, materials, and a satisfaction guarantee. Plus, you avoid those classic DIY surprises—like “oops, the ceiling is now ‘Eggshell White’ too.”

We’ve fixed many DIY painting attempts that ended up costing homeowners more in the long run than if they’d hired us from the start. Our team takes care of everything, including the little details that make a big difference.

Still have questions about your own 1 room paint cost or want to know how to plan your project? Contact us for honest advice and a free estimate. We’re here to make your next painting project as smooth (and colorful) as possible!

Conclusion

Understanding 1 room paint cost is the first step toward a stress-free, successful painting project. By knowing what goes into the price—like room size, paint quality, prep work, and labor—you can plan your budget and avoid any unwelcome surprises down the road.

If you’re thinking about hiring professionals, expect to pay between $400 and $1,000 per room for walls only. Most of that cost comes from labor, but you’re also paying for experience, efficiency, and peace of mind. On the other hand, if you go the DIY route, you’ll likely spend $150 to $300 on materials, but you’ll need to invest plenty of your own time and elbow grease (and maybe learn to appreciate painter’s tape).

At Springfield Paint Pros, we believe in clear, honest pricing and working with you every step of the way. We use eco-friendly paints, our team is highly trained, and we back every job with a satisfaction guarantee—so you always know you’re getting lasting value for your investment.

A quality paint job isn’t just about color on the walls—it’s about protecting your home and adding real value. A professional paint job can last 7 to 10 years with proper care, while DIY projects often need a refresh after just 3 to 5 years. It’s worth factoring that longevity into your overall 1 room paint cost planning.

Ready to give your room a whole new look? Reach out to Springfield Paint Pros for a free, detailed estimate that’s custom to your exact project. We proudly serve Springfield, Clark County, and nearby Ohio communities, delivering the same high level of care we’ve built our reputation on for over 25 years.

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Our team is here to answer your questions, explain every part of the process, and help you get the result you want—whether you’re brightening up a single bedroom or planning a full home makeover. Let’s work together to make your vision (and your budget) a perfect match!