The thought of painting makes some homeowners nervous. They’re worried about ruining something or making a big mess. More importantly, they have busy lives and can’t devote an entire weekend to painting walls.
How long does it take to paint a room? You probably have no idea unless you’ve done it before. There are many contributing factors we’ll discuss in this article.
Keep reading below to learn how long it takes to paint your average bedroom. We’ll also provide you tips on what you should do before painting and how much it’ll cost to buy all of the supplies.
What Should I Do Before Painting a Room?
Preparation is key for any home improvement job. Setting up to paint often takes longer than the actual act. There are a number of ways to prep a room before cracking open the paint can.
The obvious thing to do is remove all of your furniture and decor from the room so it doesn’t get hit by paint splatter. If something is too big or bulky to remove, cover it with a drop cloth and move it to the center of the room.
Don’t try to paint around anything.
Remove pictures, light fixtures, ceiling blades, switch plates, outlet covers, window treatments, and area rugs. You can take pictures of the room with your phone to remember where everything goes afterward.
Next, patch any holes on the wall with a spackling compound and scrape off peeling paint. Sand uneven surfaces with a 220-grit sandpaper to ensure surfaces are smooth before painting.
Spend a few minutes wiping down everything. The last thing you want in your fresh paint is dust or cobwebs. If you’re painting in the kitchen, scrub the walls to get rid of any grease or oil residue.
Painter’s tape can help you cover certain edges, outlets, or fixtures.
Where you place the tape all depends on what you’re painting exactly, but you can use it to mask window trims, baseboards, mantels, or bookcases.
Invest a few extra dollars on premium painters tape, brands like FrogTape, 3M Scotch, Painters Mate, or Duck Clean Release.
Cheap tape will come off while you’re painting and could get stuck when you try to pull it off. This will ruin your new paint job.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Bedroom?
Budgets can help you maximize the house of your dreams against the reality of your bank account. Always make a budget before any home improvement project.
One of the first questions you should ask is how much will it cost to paint a room, multiple rooms, or my entire interior? Let’s examine how much it would cost to paint a bedroom.
The total cost varies depending on the size of your room. The average bedroom is about 150-200 square feet. A gallon of paint can cover about 400 square feet, so the larger your room the more paint you’ll need to buy.
Another factor to consider is whether your walls are smooth or textured. If your walls are textured, they will need more paint. Painters usually pick up about 300 extra square feet of paint for textured walls to make sure everything is covered.
Now you’re ready to purchase paint. Besides selecting a paint color you also have three finish options: flat, semi-gloss, and high-gloss.
One gallon of paint costs between $30-$60 so buying two gallons is a safe bet. You can save any leftover paint in your garage for future touch-ups.
When finalizing your budget, don’t forget to account for primer (costing between $12-$25 per can) and supplies like brushes, rollers, and drop cloths. Just like your painter’s tape, invest in a higher-end paintbrush to make precise cuts.
How Long Does It Take to Paint a Room?
Congratulations, you’re now fully stocked up with all the paint and supplies you’ll need to paint a room in your house. But how long does it take? If this is your first time, don’t worry. You won’t be trapped for days.
Give yourself at least one day to paint. The time it takes to finish a room depends on your experience, wall texture, paint color, and the age of your house. You may also finish the room and realize it needs a second coat!
A 12-foot by 12-foot bedroom (144 square feet) could take about five hours. You’ll also need to factor in extra time for doors, windowsills, or baseboards. Professionals can do it in half that time.
Painting is one thing any homeowner can do, but you may consider hiring a professional painter if your home layout is complex or you just don’t have the time or energy.
Hiring a company to paint your entire house at the same time may result in a price break for you.
Wondering how you can speed things up? Having all of your supplies purchased and prep done in advance (as we discussed above) is the best way to be fast and efficient.
Using professional-grade rollers and brushes also ensure the paint is being spread quickly and evenly, which cuts your chances of needing a second coat. If you’re covering dark walls, primer can also do that.
Want to Hire a Professional?
The first question our customers ask is how long does it take to paint a room? Let’s face it, do-it-yourself isn’t for everyone. Some people prefer paying to have it done.
We know you have a lot of choices in San Diego, but The Painting Company is dedicated to providing a quality painting job. Our painters are trained experts who will make sure you’re 100% satisfied.
Our services include residential and commercial painting, with job sizes ranging from refreshing bedrooms to complete office building updates. Contact us to schedule a free quote and learn how The Painting Company of San Diego can help you.
