Bedroom decorating

For UK homeowners, the difference between a DIY job and a professional finish often lies in the preparation. This guide covers everything from current market rates to the essential regulations you need to know before the first drop sheet is laid.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Room Preparation: Moving furniture to the centre of the room and protecting floors and fixed items with heavy-duty drop cloths.
• Surface Assessment: Checking for damp, blown plaster, or "flashing" where previous repairs are visible through the paint.
• Substrate Prep: Stripping old wallpaper, raking out cracks, filling holes with appropriate compound, and sanding surfaces to a smooth finish.
• Priming: Applying a "mist coat" to new plaster or using stain-blocking primers on water marks or knots in wood.
• Application: Precision "cutting in" around edges followed by two coats of premium emulsion on walls and ceilings.
• Woodwork: Sanding, undercoating, and finishing skirting boards, architraves, and window sills in satin, eggshell, or gloss.
• Clean Down: Removing all tape, vacuuming dust, and reinstating furniture and electrical faceplates.

Typical Costs

Prices for 2025/26 reflect a rise in material costs and the standard 20% VAT where applicable. Your final quote will depend heavily on the condition of the walls; stripping multiple layers of woodchip wallpaper can double the labour time before a single drop of paint is applied.

Pro Tip: High-end designer paints (like Farrow & Ball or Little Greene) often require more coats and specific primers, which can increase both material costs and labour time.

How Long Does It Take?

• Quick Refresh: 1–2 days. Ideal for rooms in good condition needing a simple colour change.
• Standard Redecoration: 3–4 days. This allows for proper drying times between filling, priming, and finishing coats.
• Full Strip and Paint: 5+ days. Required if old wallpaper needs removing or if significant plaster repair is necessary.
• Woodwork Only: 1 day. Sanding and painting skirting, doors, and frames in a standard room.

DIY or Professional?

While painting is a popular DIY task, achieving a "mirror-smooth" finish on woodwork and perfectly straight lines at the ceiling requires significant skill. Professionals have the tools to sand dust-free, protecting your soft furnishings and respiratory health.

If your home was built before 1960, you must be cautious of lead-based paint on woodwork. Professional decorators are trained to handle this safely, whereas DIY sanding can release toxic lead dust into your sleeping area.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Accreditations: Look for members of the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) or Dulux Select Decorators.
• Insurance: Ensure they hold valid Public Liability Insurance (minimum £1 million) to cover accidental spills or damage.
• Written Quotes: Avoid "estimates" and ask for a fixed quote that specifies the brand of paint and number of coats.

Questions to ask:

• "Does your quote include the cost of the paint and all sundries?"
• "How do you intend to manage dust while sanding?"
• "Will you remove the radiators or paint behind them?"
• "Can you provide references or a portfolio of recent local work?"

UK Regulations

• VOC Compliance: UK law limits Volatile Organic Compounds in paint; professionals will use compliant "Low VOC" products for better indoor air quality.
• Waste Disposal: Trade waste cannot be put in domestic bins. Ensure your decorator has a Waste Carrier Licence if they are removing old wallpaper or tins.
• Part P (Electrics): If the decorator is removing socket covers, they should do so safely. Any actual rewiring must be done by a qualified electrician.

Common Problems

• Poor Surface Prep: Painting over grease or dust leads to "crocodile skin" cracking or peeling within months.
• Incompatible Paints: Applying water-based acrylic over old, high-gloss oil paint without a transition primer will cause the new layer to flake off.
• Visible Seams: In wallpapering, "butted" joints can gap if the paper shrinks; a professional knows how to soak and hang specific weights correctly.
• Damp Masking: Painting over a damp patch without fixing the source (e.g., a gutter leak) will result in mould growth and ruined decor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to empty the bedroom completely?

Most decorators prefer the room to be as clear as possible. While they will move heavy items like wardrobes to the centre and cover them, clearing out small items, bedding, and curtains speeds up the job and reduces the risk of damage.

Can I sleep in the room the same night it is painted?

With modern water-based emulsions, the odour is minimal and they are usually "touch dry" in hours. However, it is best to wait 24 hours with the windows open to allow VOCs to dissipate, especially for children or those with asthma.

What is a "mist coat" and do I need one?

A mist coat is a thinned-down layer of emulsion applied to fresh, bare plaster. It soaks into the wall to create a bond; skipping this will cause the topcoat of paint to peel off in large sheets like wallpaper.

Should I buy the paint myself to save money?

Generally, no. Professionals often get trade discounts and prefer working with specific brands they trust. If you buy the "wrong" type of paint for the surface, the decorator may charge more for the extra labour required to fix it.

How do I stop my skirting boards from turning yellow?

Traditional oil-based gloss yellows over time due to a lack of natural light. Ask your decorator to use a modern water-based "satin" or "eggshell" finish, which stays white and has a much lower odour.