Painting your home’s interior is one of the best ways to refresh your living space. However, not all rooms are the same – each area of your house has unique conditions and needs. This comprehensive room-by-room guide for U.S. homeowners will help you tackle each space – from bedrooms and bathrooms to kitchens and living areas – with the right preparation, paint types, finishes, color ideas, and cost considerations.
We’ll provide estimated cost ranges based on national averages for each room, and we’ll also note how prices can vary regionally (for example, California tends to be on the higher end, Texas often on the lower end, and Florida around the national average). Use this guide to plan your next painting project, and transform every room in your home with confidence!
Bedroom
Bedrooms are personal sanctuaries, and the right paint can create a calm, relaxing retreat. When painting a bedroom, consider the following:
Surface Preparation:
Remove or cover furniture and decor, and lay down drop cloths to protect flooring. Fill any nail holes or cracks in the walls with spackle and sand them smooth once dry. Wipe down the walls to remove dust or grime (especially around vents or baseboards) so paint adheres well. Applying a coat of primer is wise if you’re covering a dark or bold existing color, as it will ensure your new paint color looks true and even.
Recommended Paint & Finish:
For bedroom walls, a latex interior paint in a matte or eggshell finish is ideal. Matte or flat paints create a soft, cozy look and help hide minor imperfections, while eggshell offers a slight sheen and is a bit more washable – a good choice if it’s a kid’s bedroom or you anticipate the need for occasional cleaning.
Ceilings are typically painted flat white to reduce glare and make the room feel taller. If you’re painting trim or doors in the bedroom, use a semi-gloss paint: its slight shine adds definition and it’s durable against scuffs. (Trim is often a contrasting white or off-white, which frames your wall color nicely.)
Color Suggestions:
Soothing, calming colors work best in bedrooms. Popular choices include soft blues, pale greens, lavenders, or neutral tones like beige, taupe, and gray. These colors promote relaxation and rest. If you prefer warmth, light earthy tones or gentle yellows can create a cozy atmosphere.
Accent walls are a great option in bedrooms – for example, painting the wall behind the headboard a deeper shade (like a navy blue, forest green, or rich terracotta) can add a focal point without overpowering the space. Just ensure the overall palette remains restful; bold and bright colors are generally kept to a minimum in sleep spaces.
Estimated Cost:
Painting an average-sized bedroom (about 120–150 sq. ft., roughly a 12’x12′ room) typically costs around $300 to $800 when hiring professionals. This range would include walls and basic trim. Smaller bedrooms or just a single accent wall will be on the lower end, while larger or primary bedrooms (which might be 15’x20′ or bigger) will cost more – potentially up to $1,000 or more if there are high ceilings or extensive trim work.
Keep in mind that regional differences affect pricing: for example, professional painting services in California often charge at the higher end (due to higher labor and business costs), whereas in Texas the cost might fall on the lower end of the range.
Florida typically comes in around the national average, though prices can vary within the state. Always get a detailed quote for your specific room, as factors like wall condition or custom details can also influence the price.
Kitchen
The kitchen is a high-traffic hub prone to grease, moisture, and frequent cleaning, so a careful approach to painting here is important. Here’s how to get the best results in a kitchen:
Surface Preparation:
Deep cleaning is key in the kitchen. Before painting, scrub the walls with a mild degreaser or TSP (trisodium phosphate) solution to remove cooking grease or residue that can prevent paint from sticking. Pay special attention to areas near the stove, oven, and sink where splatters are common. After cleaning, rinse and let surfaces dry completely.
Next, mask and cover countertops, cabinets, appliances, and backsplashes with plastic or drop cloths. Remove switch plates, and use painter’s tape to protect cabinet edges, trim, and any hardware that can’t be removed.
If your kitchen has any mildew (perhaps around a leaky sink or a poorly ventilated area), treat it with a bleach solution and use a stain-blocking primer on any stained spots (for example, over an old curry or wine splatter that might bleed through paint). Good prep will ensure your new paint goes on smoothly and lasts longer in the kitchen’s challenging environment.
Recommended Paint & Finish:
Washability and stain-resistance are top priorities for kitchen paint. For the walls, choose a high-quality latex paint in a satin or semi-gloss finish. Satin and semi-gloss paints create a smooth surface that wipes clean easily – perfect for inevitable splashes of sauce or grease – and they resist moisture better than flat paints.
Semi-gloss, in particular, offers excellent durability and a bit of sheen that repels stains (many brands even market “Kitchen & Bath” specialty paints in satin or semi-gloss with mildew-resistant properties). If you plan to paint the kitchen cabinets or trim, use a semi-gloss or high-gloss enamel. These finishes are very durable and stand up to frequent cleaning and touching.
For ceilings in the kitchen, a flat ceiling paint is commonly used, but if your kitchen gets a lot of cooking steam or you want extra protection, you could use an eggshell or satin sheen on the ceiling as well – it will resist moisture and stains (just be aware that any sheen on the ceiling might show surface flaws a bit more than flat paint).
Color Suggestions:
Kitchen color choices often trend toward light and airy to keep the space feeling clean and open. Neutral tones are very popular – think warm whites, creams, light grays, or soft beige – especially if you have bold cabinetry or countertops that you want to stand out. A neutral wall will complement wood or colored cabinets and make the room feel bigger and brighter (which is great for cooking and gatherings).
That said, kitchens are also a place to inject some personality. Soft pastel shades or cheerful hues can work well: for example, a buttery light yellow or a muted sage green on the walls can add warmth and a welcoming vibe. If you have an island or breakfast nook, you could even use a contrasting color there for interest (such as painting one wall in a breakfast area a gentle blue or green).
Avoid extremely dark or intense colors on all walls in a kitchen, as they can make the space feel smaller and might even affect how food colors appear; if you love deep colors, use them as accents (like an accent wall or inside glass-front cabinets) rather than everywhere.
Estimated Cost:
The cost to paint a kitchen can vary based on the kitchen’s size and how much wall area is actually exposed (cabinets, backsplashes, and appliances reduce wall space, which can lower paint costs for walls). For an average kitchen (say a kitchen with an eat-in area around 200–300 sq. ft. of floor space), national average costs range roughly from $300 to $750 for painting just the walls and ceiling.
Smaller kitchens or kitchenette areas might be on the low end (or even below $300 if minimal wall area), whereas a large kitchen or open-concept kitchen-dining area could be at or above the high end. Keep in mind, those figures generally assume walls only – if you also paint the trim, doors, or window frames, that adds a bit more, and painting cabinets is a bigger project.
Regionally, the same principles apply as elsewhere: a kitchen paint job in California will likely cost more than the identical job in a less expensive market, and Texas homeowners might see slightly lower bids.
Florida kitchens typically align around the average but can vary (South Florida metro areas may price closer to high end, for example). Because kitchens often involve tricky areas (around cabinets and appliances), it’s wise to get a professional estimate – they’ll know how to account for all those nooks and crannies and give you a detailed breakdown.
Bathroom
Bathrooms present a special challenge for paint due to high humidity and frequent cleaning. A good bathroom paint job will protect surfaces from moisture and mildew while looking great. Here’s what to consider in bathrooms:
Surface Preparation:
Proper prep in a bathroom is crucial to ensure the paint adheres and lasts. Start by cleaning the walls thoroughly – remove any soap residue, hairspray buildup, or traces of mildew. Areas near the shower or tub, or the ceiling above, may have mildew or peeling paint from steam; treat any mildew spots with a mix of one part bleach to three parts water (or a mildew cleaner), then rinse and let dry completely.
Bathrooms often have accessories (towel bars, toilet paper holders, light fixtures, mirrors) – remove what you can or mask them off with tape to paint cleanly around those areas. Cover fixtures like the vanity, toilet, and flooring with drop cloths or plastic.
Finally, because of moisture, consider applying a primer coat on the walls, especially if the existing paint is semi-gloss (to help the new paint bond) or if you had to sand out any problem spots. A stain-blocking primer can also seal any water stains (like those sometimes found on ceilings from past leaks).
Recommended Paint & Finish:
Moisture resistance is the name of the game in bathrooms. Always opt for a high-quality latex paint that is designed for bathrooms or kitchens – these paints have additives that resist mold and mildew growth. For the walls, a semi-gloss or satin finish is highly recommended. Semi-gloss is classic for bathrooms because its smooth, slightly shiny surface repels water and is very easy to wipe clean; it stands up well to the humidity and occasional drips or splashes.
Satin provides a bit less shine but still offers good moisture resistance and washability, so it can be used if you prefer a softer look than semi-gloss. (Many half-baths or powder rooms – which have a sink and toilet but no shower – can even use an eggshell finish since moisture is less of an issue there.)
Color Suggestions:
In bathrooms, color can significantly influence the mood since these are generally small spaces. Many homeowners go with light, cool colors to create a spa-like, refreshing feel. Soft blues, pale turquoises, gentle greens, or aqua tones are popular for a calming vibe reminiscent of water and sky. Light neutral grays or warm whites also work well, giving a clean and spacious feeling (and they pair nicely with white fixtures and towels).
If you want a crisp, clean look, bright white walls can make a bathroom feel very fresh and hygienic – just be sure to add some contrast with decor or towels so it doesn’t feel too sterile. On the other hand, small bathrooms or powder rooms are great places to experiment with bold color since their compact size can handle a dramatic hue without overwhelming your whole house.
Estimated Cost:
Bathrooms are usually the smallest rooms in the house, so they are generally the least expensive to paint. Nationally, painting a small bathroom (like a powder room or a 5’x8′ hall bathroom) can cost as little as $200-$400, since there’s limited wall area and the job might be quick for a pro.
For larger bathrooms (master bathrooms with separate tub and shower areas, or bathrooms with high ceilings), the cost will increase – you might see ranges of $400 to $800 or more if there’s significantly more square footage or complicated areas to work around. Features like extensive trim, beadboard wainscoting, or ceiling moldings will also raise the price due to the extra detail work.
Even at the high end, interior painting in a bathroom is fairly affordable compared to other rooms. Keep in mind regional pricing differences too: for instance, a bathroom repaint in California may cost closer to the upper end of the range (or beyond, especially in big cities), whereas in a state with lower labor rates like Texas, you might get it done toward the lower end. Florida prices will depend on the area – urban centers might be higher than smaller towns – but generally hover around average.
Living Room
The living room is often one of the largest areas in a home and a main gathering space for family and guests. A great living room paint job will not only look good but also stand up to regular use. Here’s how to approach painting your living room:
Surface Preparation:
Scale up your prep for a larger space like the living room. Start by clearing as much furniture and wall decor as possible; move bulky furniture to the center of the room and cover it with drop cloths. Protect your flooring with canvas or plastic drop cloths, especially along the edges of the room.
Living room walls often have lots of nail holes or anchor holes from art, mirrors, or TV mounts – be sure to fill all those holes and any dents or cracks with spackle or filler, then sand smooth once dried. If you have any textured walls or ceilings (like popcorn ceiling or textured finishes) and you plan to smooth or paint them, consider whether special preparation is needed (painting over popcorn, for example, may require careful rolling or even priming to avoid it peeling).
Use painter’s tape to mask off moldings, window and door frames, built-in cabinetry, or adjacent surfaces like a fireplace mantle. If your living room has high ceilings or crown molding, have a stable ladder or extension pole for your roller ready – safety first when working with height.
Recommended Paint & Finish:
In a living room, you want a balance between durability and aesthetics. Latex interior paint is standard for walls. A neutral sheen like eggshell or satin is often the best choice here. Eggshell finish has a soft, low sheen that looks elegant in large spaces and is more washable than flat paint, which is important since living room walls can get the occasional scuff or fingerprint (especially if you have kids or often move furniture).
Satin finish offers a touch more sheen and durability – it will be even easier to clean, though slightly more reflective. Either eggshell or satin will hold up well to everyday use; they also reflect a bit of light, which can make the room feel brighter but won’t show imperfections as much as a semi-gloss would on a big wall.
Generally, flat or matte finishes are less common in living rooms now (except on ceilings), because they don’t clean easily, but if you have a formal living room that isn’t used heavily, a matte finish can give a rich, non-reflective look that some people prefer.
Color Suggestions:
Because the living room is a space you’ll spend a lot of time in and also one that guests will see, color choice is important for setting the mood. Many homeowners stick with neutral colors in living rooms to allow flexibility in decor. Shades of soft gray, warm beige (“greige” mixes of gray-beige), creamy off-white, or taupe are very popular as they create a versatile backdrop for furniture, art, and accessories.
Neutrals also tend to make a room feel light and open, especially important if your living room doesn’t get a ton of natural light. If you prefer some color, subtle earth tones can work wonderfully – think muted olive greens, gentle blues, or a dusty plum – these can add personality while still feeling grown-up and cozy.
An accent wall in a living room is another way to introduce color or highlight a feature: you might paint the wall behind a fireplace, the TV, or the sofa in a different, bolder color. Deep blues, forest greens, or even a charcoal gray can make a striking accent wall that adds depth to the room.
Ceiling color in living rooms is usually white, but painting the ceiling a very light tint of the wall color is a designer trick to create a cohesive, enveloping look (for instance, a very light blue ceiling with blue-gray walls). Whatever color scheme you choose, test large swatches on your walls first – the size of the room and lighting (lamps, windows) can greatly affect how the color actually appears at different times of day.
Estimated Cost:
Living rooms tend to be one of the more expensive rooms to paint simply due to their size and sometimes height. On a national average, hiring professionals to paint an average living room (for example, a 15’x20′ room with 8-foot ceilings) might run around $800 to $1,500 including walls and trim. Smaller living rooms or those with less wall area (lots of openings or built-ins) could be a bit less, perhaps in the $600-$800 range.
Conversely, a large family room or open-concept living area (say 18’x24′ or with vaulted ceilings) can easily cost $1,500 to $2,000 or more. If your living room has a two-story vaulted ceiling or very intricate trim, expect costs on the higher side to account for the extra labor (tall ladder work, extension poles, etc., slow the process and often require two painters for safety).
As mentioned earlier, location matters: in a high-cost area like California, that same large living room job might exceed $2,000 due to higher labor charges, while in parts of Texas it might stay closer to the lower end of the range. Florida homeowners might find their living room painting cost near the middle, though South Florida (Miami area) can lean higher like other big metros.
Dining Room
Dining rooms can be both functional and formal spaces, and the way you paint them can enhance mealtimes and gatherings. Whether your dining room is a separate formal area or part of an open layout, here are key tips for painting it:
Surface Preparation:
Painting a dining room involves many of the same prep steps as other rooms, with a few specific considerations. Start by removing or covering the dining table and chairs, as well as any wall decor like artwork or mirrors.
If your dining room has a chair rail, wainscoting, or wall paneling, decide if you’re painting those (and if so, whether in the wall color or a trim color) – these architectural details require careful taping and possibly separate paint types (for example, a lower wall panel might be painted in semi-gloss white like trim, while above the chair rail is a different color).
Clean the walls to remove any grime (dining rooms don’t typically get very dirty, but spots near light switches or any food splatters should be wiped). Fill and sand any nail holes or dents for a smooth surface.
Protect any buffet, sideboard, or flooring with drop cloths, and tape off the ceiling, moldings, and windows as needed. One often overlooked tip: remove the cover of the chandelier or light fixture (and protect or wrap the fixture) so you can paint the ceiling area easily and not get paint on your dining light.
Recommended Paint & Finish:
In a dining room, consider the ambiance you want. Many dining rooms are meant to be elegant or cozy, so a low to medium sheen on the walls works well. An eggshell finish is a top choice here – it’s durable and hides slight imperfections, plus it won’t show every scuff or fingerprint (people might push chairs against the wall, for example).
Satin finish is another option if you expect more wear or want a bit more luster on the walls, but it will show a tad more sheen. Generally, you don’t need high-gloss or semi-gloss on dining room walls (those are too shiny for large wall areas and are better for trim). For any wainscoting or trim in the dining room (baseboards, crown molding, door frames, chair rails), use semi-gloss paint in the same color as the rest of the trim in your home (often white or cream).
This contrast of semi-gloss white trim against a lower-sheen wall color adds a polished, traditional look. If you have built-in cabinets or a buffet in the dining room that you plan to paint, treat those like kitchen cabinets – a semi-gloss enamel for durability.
Also, if you desire a really formal, classic look, you might consider a two-tone paint scheme (for example, darker color below the chair rail, lighter above) or even wallpaper on one portion – these choices can affect what paint finish to use. But as a rule of thumb, eggshell on walls, semi-gloss on trim will give you a beautiful dining room result with practical durability.
Color Suggestions:
Dining rooms are a place where you can either keep it neutral to let your furniture and table settings shine, or go a bit bolder to create a distinct atmosphere. If you favor a classic or formal dining room, rich, warm colors have traditionally been popular.
Similarly, warm golds or amber, olive greens, or navy blues can lend a sense of intimacy and sophistication, especially in the evening under soft lighting. These saturated colors work best if your dining room has ample light or white wainscoting to break up the darkness.
Greige, light beige, soft gray, or creamy white walls can make a dining area feel larger and blend seamlessly with a connected living room or kitchen. They also provide a versatile backdrop if you change table linens or decor seasonally.
Estimated Cost:
The cost to paint a dining room will depend on its size and features. For a standard dining room (maybe around 12’x12′ to 12’x14′ in size), you might expect painting costs in the range of $600 to $1,200 on average for walls and trim. If the room is smaller or you’re only painting part of it (say, above a chair rail) the cost could be less. Larger dining rooms or those with intricate details (like extensive molding or built-in cabinets) could push costs toward $1,300 to $1,500 or more.
For example, a 14’x16′ dining room with crown molding and wainscoting will take more time (and paint types) than a simple 10’x10′ dining nook. As always, regional variations play a role: a professional paint job in an upscale area of California may be on the higher end or beyond this range, while a similar job in a quieter part of Texas might come in lower.
Florida’s costs will vary by city, but generally mid-range. One thing to note is that some dining rooms are adjacent to or part of other spaces; if your dining area is open to the living room and you decide to paint both together for continuity, the cost will of course be higher as it’s covering more total area (though you might get a slight efficiency benefit from doing it all at once).
Hallway
Hallways and entry corridors are the high-traffic arteries of your home. They might not be rooms where you linger, but a fresh paint job in a hallway can brighten up the entire house and withstand the constant passing-through. Here’s how to handle hallways:
Surface Preparation:
Hallways often have a lot of corners, doors, and trim to deal with. Begin by removing any hallway decor like framed photos or mirrors (hallways are common gallery areas, so there could be many nail holes to fill).
If the hallway has a console table, bench, or runner rug, move those items out of the way. Cover the hallway floor with a drop cloth because this is a long, narrow space – you’ll be moving along it and possibly dripping paint as you go.
- Patched areas: fill all nail holes, dings, and seams (especially if you have drywall panel joints that have slightly shifted) with spackle and sand smooth.
- Clean the walls with a damp sponge or mild cleaner; hallways accumulate scuff marks and fingerprints, especially at kid and pet height and near light switches. Pay attention to corners where dust might collect.
- Door frames: since hallways connect rooms, you’ll have multiple door frames and possibly baseboards running along the hall – decide if you’re painting those (usually yes, as part of trim) and tape accordingly (for example, tape the edges of the floor along baseboards if not removing them, and tape where door trim meets the walls if the trim is a different color).
Recommended Paint & Finish:
Given the heavy use hallways get, durability is paramount. The walls will inevitably get brushed against and may endure scrapes from shoes, bags, or vacuum cleaners. For that reason, choose a paint that is easy to clean and resistant to scuffs. A satin or eggshell finish is typically the best choice for hallway walls.
Satin finish provides a slight sheen and is very washable – you can scrub off those fingerprints or the occasional mark left by moving furniture. Eggshell is also a common choice; it’s a touch less shiny than satin but still more durable than flat paint. Many paint brands offer “high durability” or “washable flat” paints, which are matte but formulated to resist stains – those could be an option if you absolutely want no sheen, but in general an eggshell is safer for longevity in a hall.
For the trim and doors in the hallway, stick with semi-gloss as elsewhere in the house. Hallways often have multiple doors (bedrooms, bathrooms, closets), so freshly painted trim and doors in semi-gloss white (or your chosen trim color) will make the corridor look crisp and clean against the wall color. Ceilings in hallways are usually standard height and can be painted with flat ceiling paint (typically white).
Color Suggestions:
Most hallways are kept light and neutral, and for good reason. By choosing a light neutral paint color you also make the often narrow, shadowy hall feel brighter and more spacious. Great hallway color options include soft off-whites, light beige or taupe, pale gray, or creamy ivory.
Just ensure it’s a grayed-out pastel, not overly saturated, so it doesn’t overwhelm. Because hallways often extend into entryways, consider how the color looks from the front door and how it transitions to adjacent rooms; often the entry foyer is painted the same color as the hall for a cohesive look.
If you have a really long hallway and want to add interest without strong color, you could use decor techniques like a gallery wall of photos or add wall trim (wainscoting or board-and-batten) painted in a contrasting color (usually white) with the upper wall in your chosen color.
Estimated Cost:
The cost to paint a hallway can vary widely because hallways come in all shapes and lengths. On average, for a basic hallway in a home (say a straight hallway about 10-15 feet long with 8-foot ceilings), you might spend around $300 to $800. That would typically cover the walls and the ceiling, and possibly the trim (baseboards and door frames) in that hallway.
For example, a small hallway (8 feet long) with just two doors could be at the very low end ($200-$300), whereas a longer hallway with five or six doorways and maybe an arch or niche might be in the mid range ($500-$700). If your hallway includes a stairwell or a two-story foyer/landing, the cost will increase due to the added complexity – tall ladders, more labor, and careful work around stairs.
A two-story entry hall could cost $1,000 or more on its own because of the height and often larger wall area. The national average to paint an interior hallway (including a simple ceiling) often falls around the middle of the mentioned range – roughly $500-$600. Remember, regional cost factors: in places like California, painters might charge a premium for even small jobs (licensing and insurance costs are higher), so that same hallway might nudge closer to the high end or beyond.
In Texas or other lower-cost-of-living areas, you might find competitive rates that keep it on the low side. Florida will range: a hallway in a Miami high-rise condo (with tall ceilings perhaps) could be more expensive than a hallway in a suburban home in a smaller city.
Ceilings and Trim
Ceilings and trim are the finishing touches of an interior paint job, and giving them proper attention can make your paint project look truly professional. They’re often painted separately from walls, so we’ll cover them together here:
Ceilings:
Ceilings might be “out of sight, out of mind,” but a freshly painted ceiling can greatly improve a room’s appearance (no more dingy white or cooking stains). When painting ceilings, prep is important: remove dust or cobwebs (using a broom or vacuum with brush attachment) and cover everything in the room because paint splatter from roller drops is common when doing ceilings.
If there are any water stains or discoloration (perhaps from a past leak), spot-prime those areas with a stain-blocking primer first so they don’t bleed through. It’s usually best to paint the ceiling before the walls (so you don’t worry about ceiling paint getting on a freshly painted wall). Use painter’s tape to mask where the ceiling meets the walls if you’re not confident in cutting-in cleanly, or you can freehand with a good angled brush if you have a steady hand.
A great tool for ceilings is a roller with an extension pole – it lets you reach without climbing up and down a ladder constantly. Use a thick nap roller (1/2″ or 3/4″) for textured ceilings, or a shorter nap (3/8″) for smooth ceilings to get even coverage. When rolling, maintain a wet edge and roll in one section at a time; some painters like to roll toward the main light source (like a window) for the final strokes to minimize any shadow lines.
Cost (Ceilings):
Ceilings are often priced separately from walls. If you’re hiring a painter, painting a ceiling in an average room might add roughly $150 to $300 to that room’s cost. It usually breaks down to about $1 to $2 per square foot of ceiling area.
So a 12’x12′ ceiling (144 sq. ft) might be around $150-$250. Higher ceilings or special textures (like popcorn) could be more because they need more paint or effort (popcorn ceilings often require spraying or very careful rolling to avoid dislodging the texture). If you have crown molding that the ceiling needs to be cut around, that adds a bit of labor too.
For a whole house interior project, painters might quote one price for ceilings throughout rather than room by room. Just remember that if you have any stains or damage to fix first, that could be an extra small charge for repair. Regionally, the same trends apply:
California painters might charge a bit more per square foot for ceilings than the national average, Texas a bit less, Florida around average. Don’t neglect the ceiling – a crisp new ceiling coat can make your paint job feel complete, and it’s often worth the modest extra cost.
Trim:
Trim includes baseboards, window and door casings, crown molding, and other decorative woodwork like built-in shelf edges or chair rails. These areas benefit from a fresh coat of paint to brighten and protect them.
- Preparation is key: before painting trim, clean it (trim, especially near floors, can accumulate dust and grime; a damp cloth with a bit of mild detergent works). If the trim has old, gloppy paint or rough spots, a light sanding will smooth it out and help the new paint adhere.
- Caulking is your friend – run a bead of paintable caulk along any gaps between trim and walls or between pieces of molding, then smooth it; this fills cracks and makes the trim look seamless when painted. Also fill any nail holes or dents in the wood with wood filler or spackle, then sand flush. Many pros actually paint trim before walls, especially if spraying, but it can be done in either order with careful masking. Use a high-quality angled brush (often a 2” sash brush) to cut a neat line.
- Paint type and finish: for trim, semi-gloss or high-gloss enamel paint is standard. Semi-gloss is most common – it has a nice shine that highlights the trim’s shape and is very durable against scuffing, foot traffic, and cleaning. High-gloss gives an even more reflective, almost lacquered look which can be beautiful on smooth trim or doors, though it will show imperfections more; it’s often used in more formal or historic homes for a standout glossy trim.
- Stick with a latex enamel (water-based) for easy cleanup, unless your trim already has oil-based paint (common in older homes) – in that case you either continue with an oil-based trim paint or use a special bonding primer before switching to latex, or the new paint may peel. Trim painting can be time-consuming because of all the linear feet, but the pay-off is huge: bright, clean trim makes the whole room look sharper.
- Color: The vast majority of homeowners choose white or off-white for trim (it complements any wall color and gives that classic border). Some go for a contrast – e.g., black or charcoal trim for a modern look, or a color on trim to match or accent walls – but that’s less common unless it’s a deliberate design choice. If you do paint trim a dark or bold color, expect to need extra coats for coverage. Don’t forget doors: painting the doors in the same semi-gloss as the trim (often the same color too) will complete the look.
Cost (Trim):
Trim is typically charged by the linear foot or per item. On average, painting interior trim costs about $1 to $3 per linear foot of trim. So if you have 100 linear feet of baseboard and crown in a room, that might be $100-$300 just for those.
Often painters will include trim in a room quote, but it’s good to know the breakdown. For instance, a standard door (both sides) with frame might be $50-$150 to paint depending on complexity (raised panels take more effort than a flat slab door). Baseboards in a small room might add $40-$75 if quoted separately. If you have a lot of windows with individual mullions to paint, those can increase labor too.
As an example, if you have a 3-bedroom house and you want all trim, doors, and baseboards painted, you might see an item on a quote like “Trim and doors: $800” as part of the total job. Of course, houses in California might see higher trim labor rates (especially if regulations require certain lead-safe practices in older homes, etc.), while Texas might be more budget-friendly.
Florida painters would be about average in trim costs, with perhaps coastal areas a bit higher. One way to save a little on trim is to handle some prep yourself – like pulling off and reinstalling window hardware or masking – but often it’s easiest to let the pros do it as they have the technique to get those nice straight lines.
On a Final Note
Remember that trim paint needs proper drying time to avoid sticky doors, so sometimes painters will do trim first, let it cure, then come back to do walls – coordination is part of the cost. When all’s done, having gleaming trim and a bright ceiling will frame your freshly painted walls perfectly, giving your home that picture-perfect finish.
With the right preparation and paint choices, each room in your home can look its best and stand up to its specific demands – steamy showers, busy dinners, or lazy Sundays on the couch. We’ve covered the essentials for bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, hallways, and those oft-forgotten ceilings and trim. By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to a successful interior painting project that refreshes your home’s appearance and even adds value.
Ready to transform your home with new colors? Our team at Paintlogs is here to help every step of the way. From expert color consultation to impeccable execution, we take the hassle out of home painting. Contact Paintlogs today to request a painting consultation or get a free quote – and let us bring your vision to life, one room at a time!