How Much to Paint a House Interior: Estimating Paint and Preparing Your Surfaces
How much to Paint a House Interior? How much paint? How much will that cost? Can we trust the sq ft coverage on the back of the can? We are answering the important questions. Repainting your home is one of the easiest ways to leave your personal touch on your home. Today, we are going to talk about how to estimate the amount of paint you will need to complete your project correctly. We will also cover the different types of paint and how to properly prep your surfaces.
Step 1: Measure Your Space to Estimate Paint Needs
To figure out how much paint you’ll need, you’ll need to figure out the square footage of the surfaces you plan to paint. Here’s a simple way to find this:
- Measure Wall Area:
- Measure the height and width of each wall.
- Multiply height by width to get the square footage for each wall.
- Repeat for all walls and add the totals together.
- Subtract Windows and Doors:
- Standard doors are about 20 square feet, and windows are around 15 square feet each.
- Subtract the combined area of doors and windows from your total wall square footage.
- Ceilings and Trim (Optional):
- For ceilings, measure length by width to get square footage.
- For trim, measure the linear footage and consider how many coats you’ll need.
Paint Coverage:
Most paint cans indicate coverage of about 350-400 square feet per gallon. Divide your total square footage by this number to determine how many gallons you’ll need. Step 2, subtracting the square footage from your doors and windows is where most people go wrong, and this is why you end up with so much leftover paint. On the reverse side, if you plan on doing 2 coats of paint, you need to double the amount of square footage for your estimation.
Example Calculation:
- Room size: 12×12 feet with 8-foot ceilings.
- Wall area: 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 = 48 feet of width.
- 48 x 8 (height) = 384 square feet of wall space.
- Subtract a door (20 sq ft) and a window (15 sq ft).
- Total: 384 – 35 = 349 square feet.
- You’ll need about 1 gallon of paint per coat.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House Interior?
In addition to the paint itself, factor in costs for:
- Primer: You absolutely need primer if switching from dark to light colors or painting new drywall(or if you patched a hole in drywall).
- Supplies: Brushes, rollers, painter’s tape, drop cloths, and trays. Buy high quality brushes and rollers for the best finish on your project.
- Professional Services: Interior painting by a pro ranges from $2 to $6 per square foot.
For a 1,500-square-foot home, you might spend $500-$600 on paint and $3,000-$9,000 for professional services.
Choosing the Right Type of Paint for Each Room
Different areas of your home need different types of paint for durability and ease of cleaning(pay attention if you have kids). Here’s a quick guide:
- Flat or Matte Paint:
- Best for low-traffic areas like ceilings and adult bedrooms.
- Not very washable; touch-ups can be challenging.
- Will show smudges and areas where abrasive cleaners were used.
- Eggshell Paint:
- Slight sheen and more washable than flat paint.
- Ideal for living rooms and dining rooms(with no pets or kids).
- Satin Paint:
- Durable and easy to clean.
- Great for kitchens, and bathrooms.
- Semi-Gloss and Gloss Paint:
- Highly durable and moisture-resistant.
- Best for trim, doors, and high-moisture areas like bathrooms, kids’ rooms, and kitchens.
Pro Tip:
When painting walls and trim, choose different finishes for a professional look—for example, satin for walls and semi-gloss for trim.
How to Prep Surfaces for Painting
Proper preparation is essential to ensure your paint adheres well and looks great. Here are steps to prep various surfaces:
1. Drywall:
- Clean: Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove dust. At the very least, take a broom or larger brush and clean the surface.
- Patch: Fill holes and cracks with spackle and sand smooth. Pole sanders are great for larger areas and keeping the dust to a minimum, but hand sanding is necessary for the best results.
- Prime: Use a drywall primer, especially for new drywall or else your paint will not stick to the wall properly.
2. Plaster:
- Inspect: Check for cracks or loose plaster and repair.
- Sand: Smooth out any uneven areas.
- Prime: Use an oil-based primer to seal the surface.
3. Wood (Trim and Doors):
- Clean: Degrease with soap and water, then dry.
- Sand: Lightly sand to scuff the surface for better adhesion. This is a very important step, do not skip.
- Prime: Apply a stain-blocking primer to prevent any grain from bleeding through.
4. Previously Painted Walls:
- Wash: Use a soft wash to remove grime. Avoid heavy-duty chemical-filled cleaners.
- Sand: If the previous paint was a high-shine finish, you will need to sand it for better adhesion.
Spot Prime: Use primer only on patched or bare spots if the existing paint is in good condition.
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Tips for a Professional Finish
- Use High-Quality Tools: Better equipment literally translates to better results. Painting is a pay to win sport.
- Cut in First: Use a wide brush to cut in corners, ceilings, and edges before using the roller to give yourself more freedom when rolling.
- Maintain a Wet Edge: Work in small sections to avoid visible lines. Spend a few minutes on youtube to learn about pro painters “feathering” technique to reduce brushstrokes in your finish.
- Ventilation: Open windows for ventilation to help paint dry evenly. Can’t open a window? Turn a fan on to keep the air moving.
Final Thoughts
Estimating how much paint you need and choosing the right type of paint can transform your space effectively. With proper preparation and the right tools, you can achieve a professional finish that will last for years.
If you’re still wondering how much to paint a house interior or need professional help, reach out to Four Seasons Interior & Exterior Painting to get an accurate estimate and expert advice.
Happy painting!
