How Long Does It Take to Paint a Room? Realistic Timelines
Planning a painting project? Here’s how long it really takes to paint different rooms, from a single bedroom to a whole house.
Realistic Painting Timelines
One of the most common questions we get is “how long will it take?” Here’s an honest breakdown based on our experience of painting hundreds of rooms across Staffordshire and Cheshire.
Single Bedroom (Medium)
A standard medium bedroom (approximately 4m × 3.5m) with walls and ceiling, 2 coats, takes a professional painter about 1 full day. This includes preparation, painting, and clean-up.
Living Room (Large)
A larger living room (approximately 5m × 4m) typically takes 1-1.5 days. Larger rooms take longer due to more wall area, and features like alcoves or chimney breasts add time.
Kitchen
Kitchens usually take 1-1.5 days due to the careful work needed around units, splashbacks, and appliances. We always mask off carefully to protect your kitchen.
Hallway & Landing
Hallways and landings can take 1-2 days depending on size and complexity. Stairwells require specialist access equipment and careful work around banisters.
Whole House (3-4 Bedrooms)
A typical 3-4 bedroom house repaint takes 4-6 days depending on the number and size of rooms, wall condition, and the amount of preparation needed.
Factors That Affect Timing
- Wall condition: Walls in poor condition need more preparation, adding time
- Number of coats: 3 coats takes significantly longer than 2
- Colour change: Going from dark to light colours may need extra coats
- Room complexity: Alcoves, coving, and high ceilings add time
- Drying time: Each coat needs to dry before the next (typically 4+ hours)
DIY vs Professional
A DIY painter might take 2-3 times longer than a professional. We have the tools, technique, and experience to work efficiently without cutting corners. Use our online quote calculator to get an estimate for your project.