The short answer
Painting a single room in the UK typically costs around £300–£600, with a medium room (around 12m²) often landing near £400. A small box room can be closer to £200–£300, while a large lounge or master bedroom with ceilings and woodwork can run £500–£800+. Most single rooms take a decorator one to two days. The price moves with how much filling and sanding the walls need, whether ceilings and woodwork are included, the number of coats, and the paint grade — a dark-to-light colour change or fresh plaster needing a mist coat both add time.
A room repaint is the most common decorating job, but 'a room' covers everything from a box room to a through-lounge. Here is what typically drives the figure and how long it takes.
Typical room costs
- Small / box room~£200–£300
- Medium room (~12m²)~£400
- Large room~£500–£800+
- Includes woodworkadds to the figure
- Time~1–2 days
What changes the price of a room
- Size and height: more wall and ceiling area means more paint and time; tall stairwell walls need access equipment.
- Ceilings and woodwork: doing the ceiling, skirting, architrave and doors as well as the walls is a bigger job than walls alone.
- Preparation: filling cracks, sanding, stripping old paper or stain-blocking damp marks all add time before any colour goes on.
- Coats and colour: fresh plaster needs a mist coat first, and a big colour change can need an extra coat.
| Room | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small / box room | ~£200–£300 | walls, light prep |
| Medium room (~12m²) | ~£400 | walls; ceiling extra |
| Large room | ~£500–£800+ | walls, ceiling & woodwork |
| Add woodwork | +£100–£250 | skirting, doors, architrave |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sourced from MyJobQuote and Checkatrade cost guides.
Walls only, or the full room?
A quote for 'painting a room' can mean very different things. Walls only is the lowest-priced option and quickest; adding the ceiling and the woodwork (skirting, architrave, doors and window reveals) turns it into a full redecoration that looks far better but costs more. If the room has anaglypta or wallpaper to strip, or damp staining to seal, factor that prep in separately. When you compare prices, make sure each quote covers the same surfaces and the same number of coats.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint a room?
Typically around £300–£600, with a medium 12m² room often near £400. A small box room can be £200–£300, and a large room with ceiling and woodwork £500–£800+. Most single rooms take a decorator one to two days.
How long does it take to paint a room?
Usually one to two days for a single room, including preparation and drying time between coats. Heavy filling, stripping wallpaper or a strong colour change that needs an extra coat can push it longer.
Does the price include the ceiling and woodwork?
Not always. 'Painting a room' can mean walls only. Doing the ceiling, skirting, architrave and doors as well adds to the figure, so check what each quote covers before comparing.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific job. They are guidance, not a quotation.