Painting and Decorating Prices by Room in Edinburgh
Realistic price guides for bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, kitchens and full flat redecorations across Edinburgh.
How Much Does Decorating Cost Room by Room?
Decorating costs in Edinburgh vary depending on the size of the room, the condition of the walls, the height of the ceilings, and the type of property you live in. A bedroom in a modern flat is a very different job from a high-ceilinged living room in a Marchmont tenement or a multi-storey hallway in a Morningside villa.
The prices below are realistic estimates based on the work we carry out as painters and decorators in Edinburgh. Every project is different, so these are intended as a budgeting guide — your final quote may be higher or lower depending on the specific condition of your property. For a fuller breakdown of what affects pricing, see our guide to decorating costs in Edinburgh.
Bedroom Decorating Cost
Typical range: £300 – £500
A standard bedroom repaint includes walls, ceiling and woodwork (skirting boards, door frame and window frame). The price depends on the size of the room, the number of coats required, and the condition of the existing surfaces.
At the lower end, a small double bedroom in good condition with similar colours needs minimal preparation. At the higher end, larger bedrooms with damaged plaster, bold colour changes, or extensive woodwork will take longer and cost more. In Edinburgh tenement flats, bedrooms often have higher ceilings than modern properties, which adds a little to the time and cost.
Living Room Decorating Cost
Typical range: £400 – £700
Living rooms are usually larger than bedrooms and tend to have more woodwork — deeper skirting boards, picture rails, dado rails, bay windows and sometimes decorative cornicing. All of this adds preparation and painting time.
In period properties across Bruntsfield and Stockbridge, living rooms often feature ornate ceiling roses, high cornicing and tall sash windows that need careful cutting in and sometimes specialist access. A feature wall in a contrasting colour or wallpaper will also add to the cost. For a real example of what this looks like, see our Victorian living room project in Bruntsfield.
Hallway and Staircase Decorating Cost
Typical range: £500 – £900
Hallways and staircases are among the most expensive rooms to decorate relative to their size. The reason is access — stairwells require scaffolding or tower platforms to reach high walls and ceilings safely, and the awkward angles mean every surface takes longer to paint.
There is also typically a lot of woodwork: bannisters, spindles, newel posts, handrails, door frames and skirting boards running the length of the hallway. In Edinburgh’s Victorian and Edwardian villas — particularly in Morningside and Trinity — hallways can extend over two or three floors, significantly increasing the time and cost.
Kitchen Decorating Cost
Typical range: £350 – £600 (walls and ceiling)
Kitchen decorating usually involves painting walls and the ceiling with a durable, washable emulsion that can handle moisture and grease. Preparation is important — kitchen walls often need a thorough clean with sugar soap before painting to ensure the new paint adheres properly.
If your project includes painting kitchen cabinets, the cost increases significantly. Cabinet painting is specialist work that requires careful preparation, priming and multiple coats of hardwearing paint to achieve a factory-smooth finish. See our IKEA kitchen cabinet transformation for an example of what’s involved.
Full Flat Decorating Cost
Typical range: £1,800 – £3,500 (2-bedroom flat)
A full flat redecoration covers every room, the hallway, all ceilings and all woodwork. The total cost depends on the number of rooms, the condition of the surfaces, and the type of property.
Edinburgh tenement flats with high ceilings and period features sit at the higher end of this range. Modern flats with standard ceiling heights and smooth plastered walls are quicker to prepare and paint. For larger properties — three-bedroom flats, maisonettes or full houses — costs scale accordingly.
Many clients find that decorating the entire flat at once is more cost-effective than doing it room by room, as the decorator can work more efficiently and materials are bought in bulk.
What Affects Decorating Prices?
The prices above are estimates. Your actual quote will depend on several factors:
- Ceiling height — High ceilings in tenement flats and period homes take longer to paint and may need scaffolding or tower platforms.
- Preparation work — Filling cracks, stripping wallpaper, treating damp, sanding woodwork and priming all add time. In older properties, preparation is often the most labour-intensive part of the job.
- Paint quality — Premium paints from brands like Farrow & Ball or Little Greene cost more but offer superior coverage and durability. Trade-quality paints are excellent value for most projects.
- Property type — Period features like cornicing, picture rails, panelled doors and deep window reveals all add to the time and skill required. Properties in New Town, Bruntsfield and Morningside often have more detailed features than modern apartments.
Recent Decorating Projects
Here are some recent projects that show the range of work and preparation involved at different price points:
- Victorian living room in Bruntsfield — Full preparation of original plasterwork, spray-painted cornice and ceiling rose, bold feature colour, and complete woodwork refresh.
- Room repaint in Trinity — Wall repairs following electrical work, deep blue walls requiring careful priming and multiple coats for an even finish.
- Kitchen cabinet transformation — Custom spray-painted IKEA kitchen cabinets with a factory-smooth finish.
See more on our project showcase page.
Get an Accurate Decorating Quote
Every property is different, and the only way to get an accurate price is with a free home visit. We’ll assess your rooms, discuss your plans, and provide a detailed written quote with no obligation. As experienced painters and decorators in Edinburgh, we include all preparation, materials and cleanup in our pricing.
