A professional paint job for one room costs about $1,100 on average, according to Angi, with most jobs between $400 and $1,600. HomeGuide puts a pro painting the walls at $300 to $1,000 and a DIY job at $150 to $300 for paint and supplies. Before you buy paint, House AI's wall design feature can show a new color on a photo of your room.
Room size, ceiling height, and whether the ceiling and trim are included move the price the most. Labor is most of the bill: Angi puts it at 60% to 90% of the total, and HomeGuide at 70% to 85%.
Cost to paint a room by type
Bigger rooms cost more. Kitchens cost less than their size suggests, because cabinets and backsplashes cover much of the wall. These are the 2026 averages for a professional job from both guides.
| Room | Angi average | HomeGuide average |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom | $200 to $400 | $150 to $400 |
| Kitchen (walls) | $300 to $750 | $150 to $250 |
| Bedroom | $300 to $750 | $350 to $850 |
| Living room | $900 to $2,000 | $600 to $2,000 |
By area, Angi puts professional work at $2 to $6 per square foot, and HomeGuide puts labor at $1 to $3 per square foot. Painting the ceiling adds $1 to $6 per square foot and trim adds $1 to $3 per linear foot, per Angi.
Hiring a painter vs doing it yourself
Doing it yourself saves most of the cost. HomeGuide puts paint and supplies for a 12 by 12 foot room at $150 to $300. A pro charges $300 to $1,000 for the walls of an average room and $600 to $2,000 with the ceiling and trim. Paint runs $15 to $50 a gallon, and a gallon covers 300 to 400 square feet per coat.
A pro is faster and usually cleaner at the edges. Some painters charge a $250 to $500 minimum project fee, per HomeGuide, so a small bathroom can cost more than its size suggests.
How to test a color before you pay
Step 1: Try colors on a photo of the room
Upload a photo to House AI's wall design feature and try a few colors on your actual walls. The furniture and floor stay as they are, so you judge the color against what you own. Every user gets 3 free designs a day.
Step 2: Buy samples of your top two
A screen is not paint. Your phone, your monitor, and the light in the photo all shift color, and the app does not measure your room, so small details can drift. Paint a large swatch of each sample on two different walls.
Step 3: Check the samples in daylight and at night
Look at them in the morning, in the afternoon, and under your lamps. Buy the full amount only for the color you still like after a couple of days.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint a 12x12 room?
Angi puts a 12 by 12 foot room at $290 to $870 for a professional job. Doing it yourself costs $150 to $300 in paint and supplies, per HomeGuide.
How much paint do I need for one room?
Multiply the room's perimeter by the wall height to get the wall area. One gallon covers 300 to 400 square feet per coat, and most rooms get two coats.
Is it cheaper to paint a room in winter?
Often. Angi and HomeGuide both say fall and winter are slower for painters, so interior rates can be more competitive.
Can I see a paint color on my walls before I paint?
Yes. House AI's wall design feature changes the wall color in a photo of your room and leaves the furniture alone. Treat it as a preview, and confirm with a real sample, since screen color differs from paint.
Keep reading
- AI Wall Design
- Understanding Color Psychology in Your Bedroom
- How Do I Make a Small Room Look Bigger?
- Decorating Rental Apartments Without Permanent Changes
- House AI Pricing
Sources: Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room? [2026 Data]," updated July 8, 2026. HomeGuide, "How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room? (2026)," February 6, 2026. Both checked September 28, 2026. House AI figures come from the House AI app.