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Paint interior walls & ceilings.
Prep, fill, prime and finish — single room or whole house — by professional decorators with proper coverage.
✓ Updated May 2026✓ Free quotes✓ Vetted pros
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Costs, timelines, pitfalls and the right questions to ask before any decorator starts on interior Painting.
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Top tips
Hiring a decorator, without the regret.
Four moves that separate a smooth job from a nightmare.
Skipping prep
Cracks and nail holes show through fresh paint within months. Quality job = fill, sand, prime.
One coat instead of two
Some cheap quotes "include" one coat. Walls show roller marks within a year.
Wrong primer on new plaster
Mist coat (watered-down emulsion) is essential. Without it, top coats peel.
Drips on woodwork
Cheap decorators don't mask properly. Quality decorators mask floors, skirting, sockets, switches.
Costs & timeline
Know what it costs. Know when it ends.
Indicative UK ranges and what affects price.
Cost range
By job type
Inc. VAT · 2026
Source: NMT quotes
Source: NMT quotes
Small bedroom (3m × 3m)Walls and ceiling
£180–£450
Standard bedroom (4m × 4m)Walls and ceiling
£250–£600
Living room (5m × 5m)Walls and ceiling
£350–£900
Kitchen-diner (open plan)Higher prep, more cutting in
£500–£1.5k
Hallway, stairs, landingMost complex due to access
£500–£1.5k
Whole house redecorate5–6 rooms plus hall
£2.5k–£9k
!
Quote spread is typically ± 18% — always get 3 quotes.
At a glance
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Decorator explained
Interior painting transforms a room more than any other home upgrade for the money. A typical UK room costs £200–£1,200 for a professional decorator to paint, depending on size, condition and finish required. The hidden cost is prep — and that's where cheap quotes cut corners.
What Does the Work Involve?
A quality interior paint job is 60% prep, 40% paint. The decorator covers floors and furniture, fills cracks and nail holes with Easi-Fill or similar, sands smooth, dusts off, masks edges, primes any new plaster or bare wood, applies two top coats with brush and roller, and inspects under good light for missed areas. Cheap quotes skip the filling, sanding, and primer steps.
Typical Costs
| Item | Low (£) | High (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom (3m × 3m) | 180 | 450 | Walls and ceiling |
| Standard bedroom (4m × 4m) | 250 | 600 | Walls and ceiling |
| Living room (5m × 5m) | 350 | 900 | Walls and ceiling |
| Kitchen-diner (open plan) | 500 | 1,500 | Higher prep, more cutting in |
| Hallway, stairs, landing | 500 | 1,500 | Most complex due to access |
| Premium paint upgrade | +£50 | +£300 | Farrow & Ball vs trade emulsion |
| Whole house redecorate | 2,500 | 9,000 | 5–6 rooms plus hall |
How Long Does It Take?
Single bedroom: 1–2 days. Living room: 2 days. Hallway, stairs and landing: 2–3 days. Whole house: 1–2 weeks for one decorator, 5–7 days with two.
DIY or Professional?
DIY-able for a single room over a weekend. Professional finish requires experienced cutting-in (line between wall and ceiling), even coverage, and clean line at woodwork. The visible difference between DIY and pro is the line at the cornice and skirting.
Choosing the Right Tradesperson
A painter and decorator — ideally Dulux Select, Crown Trade, or similar accredited. Ask about prep — quality decorators talk about it more than paint colour. Get the spec in writing: brand, finish (matt, eggshell), number of coats. Insist on a paint sample on the actual wall, not just a paint chip.
UK Regulations
No specific Building Regs. Lead-paint regulations apply to pre-1960s properties — sand wet, not dry, on any old paint. Listed buildings need consent for major colour changes.
Common Problems
- Skipping prep: Cracks and nail holes show through fresh paint within months. Quality job = fill, sand, prime.
- One coat instead of two: Some cheap quotes "include" one coat. Walls show roller marks within a year.
- Wrong primer on new plaster: Mist coat (watered-down emulsion) is essential. Without it, top coats peel.
- Drips on woodwork: Cheap decorators don't mask properly. Quality decorators mask floors, skirting, sockets, switches.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should interior paint last?
Quality two-coat job with proper prep: 7–10 years. Cheap rushed job: 2–3 years before it shows.
Best paint brand for walls?
Trade-grade Dulux Diamond Matt or Crown Trade Vinyl Matt for cost-performance. Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion for the premium designer look. Little Greene for heritage colours.
How many coats do I need?
Two coats minimum over existing painted walls. Three coats over bare plaster (mist coat + two finish coats). Light over dark or vivid colours: three coats minimum.
Matt or eggshell on walls?
Matt for living rooms and bedrooms (low sheen, hides imperfections). Eggshell for kitchens and bathrooms (washable, moisture-resistant). Silk is outdated — shows roller marks.
Do I need to empty the room?
Helpful but not essential — quality decorators cover and move furniture as part of the job. Empty rooms speed the work 20–30%.
How long before I can put furniture back?
Walls touch-dry in 1–2 hours; fully cured in 7 days. Avoid leaning furniture against walls for 48 hours.
This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.
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