Key Takeaways
- Redecorating your home involves several factors including the cost of materials, labour, and additional work needed such as treating damp walls or removing old wallpaper.
- The skill and experience of your painter, your location, and the accessibility of your property can also affect the cost.
- It is possible to save money by comparing quotes, doing some tasks yourself, and choosing materials and finishes that require less maintenance.
What to Consider Besides Cost When you are Redecorating Your Home
- Functionality: Decorate each room according to its purpose. For example, a bedroom should be calming, while a home office should be stimulating.
- Style and Personality: Reflect your personality and style through colours, textures, and furnishings that resonate with you.
- Colour Scheme: Choose colours that work with the natural lighting of your space and create the desired atmosphere.
- Furniture: Select comfortable, functional furniture that suits your style and the size of your space.
- Lighting: Different rooms require different types of lighting, such as bright task lighting in the kitchen and soft ambient lighting in the bedroom.
- Accessories: Choose accessories that complement the room’s colour scheme and style without creating clutter.
- Space: Avoid overcrowding rooms and maintain open areas to create a sense of spaciousness.
- Comfort: Ensure seating is cosy, lighting is adequate, and the room temperature is pleasant.
- Longevity: Invest in quality pieces that will last rather than cheap items that need frequent replacement.
- Maintenance: Consider the maintenance required for different materials and finishes.
- Natural Elements: Incorporate elements like plants, wood, and stone to add warmth and life.
- Flow and Cohesion: Create a sense of cohesion from room to room through consistent colour palettes, furniture styles, or repeated materials and textures.
- Scale and Proportion: Choose furniture and decorations that are proportional to the size of your space.
- Architectural Features: Highlight beautiful architectural features, such as crown moulding or a fireplace, rather than covering them up.
- Light and View: Consider the natural light and view from each room and arrange furniture to take advantage of them.
- Children and Pets: Consider the needs of children and pets by choosing durable, easy-to-clean materials and avoiding delicate decorations.
- Storage: Ensure adequate storage space and incorporate storage solutions into your decoration.
How Much Will it Cost to Redecorate Your Home?
Average cost of redecorating a house
The average cost of redecorating a house will vary greatly depending on the size of your house, the condition of your walls, the quality of materials used, and your location.
Average cost of redecorating a 2 Bedroom Flat
Based on average national estimates, redecorating a 2-bedroom flat might cost between £1,600 to £2,600 for painting and between £1,300 to £2,050 for wallpapering (not including VAT or materials).
Average cost of redecorating a 3 bedroom house
Based on the provided estimates, a 3-bedroom house might cost between £2,400 to £3,900 for painting and between £1,950 to £3,050 for wallpapering (not including VAT or materials).
The Cost of Redecorating Your Home – Room by Room
In this section we focus on the primary painting and decorating costs and then explore additional considerations on a room by room basis.
Kitchen
Painting
- Small Kitchen – The cost for painting a small kitchen can range from £300 to £500, as it involves less surface area to cover.
- Medium Sized Kitchen – The cost for painting a medium-sized kitchen can range from £500 to £700.
- Large Kitchen – A large kitchen may cost between £700 and £1,000 to paint.
Wallpaper
- Small Kitchen – Applying wallpaper in a small kitchen may cost between £200 and £400.
- Medium Sized Kitchen – For a medium-sized kitchen, the cost may range from £400 to £600.
- Large Kitchen – A large kitchen may cost between £600 and £800 for wallpapering.
What else is involved?
- Cabinetry: New cabinets can be a significant expense.
- Countertops: Materials can range from inexpensive laminates to high-end stone.
- Backsplash: Adds aesthetic appeal but can also be costly.
- Appliances: Often the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel.
- Plumbing and electrical work: Necessary for a functional kitchen.
How much is too much?
A kitchen remodel is one of the best investments you can make in your home, but spending more than £15,000 – £20,000 should probably be the target range for most redecorating projects.
Living Room
Painting
- Small Living Room – Painting a small living room can range from £400 to £600.
- Medium Sized Living Room – The cost can vary from £600 to £800 for a medium-sized living room.
- Large Living Room – Painting a large living room may cost between £800 and £1,200.
Wallpaper
- Small Living Room – Wallpapering a small living room can cost between £300 and £500.
- Medium Sized Living Room – For a medium-sized living room, the cost may range from £500 to £700.
- Large Living Room – A large living room may cost between £700 and £1,000 for wallpapering.
What else is involved?
- Furniture: Includes sofas, chairs, tables, etc.
- Flooring: Options include hardwood, carpet, tile, etc.
- Lighting: Includes both natural and artificial lighting.
- Artwork and Decor: Personal touches that make the space feel like home
How much is too much?
The living room is a central space in the home, but its ROI is often lower than other rooms like the kitchen or bathroom.
If you are spending more than £2-3K on basic redecoration of the living room, it might be too much.
While it is important to have a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing living room, spending more than £10,000 – £12,000 might be considered excessive in a full refit even including new furniture.
Dining Room
Painting
- Small Dining Room – The cost of painting a small dining room can range from £350 to £550.
- Medium Sized Dining Room – The cost for painting a medium-sized dining room can vary from £550 to £750.
- Large Dining Room – A large dining room may cost between £750 and £1,000 to paint.
Wallpaper
- Small Dining Room – Wallpapering a small dining room may cost between £250 and £450.
- Medium Sized Dining Room – For a medium-sized dining room, the cost may range from £450 to £650.
- Large Dining Room – A large dining room may cost between £650 and £900 for wallpapering.
What else is involved?
- Furniture: Includes dining table, chairs, sideboards, etc.
- Flooring: Should be durable to withstand frequent use.
- Lighting: Important for creating the right ambiance.
- Artwork and Decor: Personal touches that enhance the space.
How much is too much?
If the cost exceeds £1,200 for a small dining room, £1,800 for a medium dining room, and £2,5000 for a large dining room, you could be paying over the odds.
Bedroom
Painting
- Small Bedroom – Painting a small bedroom may cost between £300 and £500.
- Medium Sized Bedroom – The cost for painting a medium-sized bedroom can range from £500 to £700.
- Large Bedroom – A large bedroom may cost between £700 and £1,000 to paint.
Wallpaper
- Small Bedroom – Wallpapering a small bedroom may cost between £200 and £400.
- Medium Sized Bedroom – For a medium-sized bedroom, the cost may range from £400 to £600.
- Large Bedroom – A large bedroom may cost between £600 and £800 for wallpapering.
What else is involved?
- Furniture: Includes bed, dressers, nightstands, etc.
- Flooring: Should be comfortable and warm.
- Lighting: Important for creating a relaxing environment.
- Window Treatments: Important for privacy and light control.
How much is too much?
While it is nice to have a beautiful dining room, spending more than £7,000 – £9,000 on redecoration might be considered excessive.
Bathroom
Painting
- Small Bathroom – Painting a small bathroom can cost between £150 and £300.
- Medium Sized Bathroom – The cost for painting a medium-sized bathroom can range from £300 to £500.
- Large Bathroom – A large bathroom may cost between £500 and £700 to paint.
Wallpaper
- Small Bathroom – Wallpapering a small bathroom may cost between £100 and £300.
- Medium Sized Bathroom – For a medium-sized bathroom, the cost may range from £300 to £500.
- Large Bathroom – A large bathroom may cost between £500 and £700 for wallpapering.
What else is involved?
- Plumbing: This includes both water supply and drainage.
- Fixtures: This includes sink, toilet, bathtub, and/or shower.
- Flooring: It needs to be resistant to water and humidity.
- Lighting: Proper lighting is essential for grooming tasks.
- Ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential to prevent mould and mildew.
How much is too much?
While it is important to have a functional and aesthetically pleasing bathroom, You shouldn’t really look beyond £3000–£5000 for a full remodel..
Hallway
Painting
- Small Hallway – Painting a small hallway can cost between £200 and £400.
- Medium Sized Hallway – The cost for painting a medium-sized hallway can range from £400 to £600.
- Large Hallway – A large hallway may cost between £600 and £800 to paint.
Wallpaper
- Small Hallway – Wallpapering a small hallway may cost between £150 and £350.
- Medium Sized Hallway – For a medium-sized hallway, the cost may range from £350 to £550.
- Large Hallway – A large hallway may cost between £550 and £750 for wallpapering.
What else is involved?
- Flooring: Needs to be durable to withstand high traffic.
- Lighting: Important for safety and aesthetics.
- Artwork and Decor: Can make a hallway feel more welcoming.
How much is too much?
Hallways are functional spaces, so spending more than £2,000 – £3,000 might be considered excessive.
Stairs
Painting
- Small Stairway – Painting a small stairway can cost between £200 and £400.
- Medium Sized Stairway – The cost for painting a medium-sized stairway can range from £400 to £600.
- Large Stairway – A large stairway may cost between £600 and £800 to paint.
Wallpaper
- Small Stairway – Wallpapering a small stairway may cost between £150 and £350.
- Medium Sized Stairway – For a medium-sized stairway, the cost may range from £350 to £550.
- Large Stairway – A large stairway may cost between £550 and for wallpapering.£750
What else is involved?
- Flooring: The material on the stairs needs to be durable and safe.
- Handrails: Important for safety.
- Lighting: Also important for safety.
How much is too much?
The cost of redoing stairs can vary widely depending on the material and complexity, but spending more than £4,000 – £6,000 is probably enough for most situations.
Landing
Painting
- Small Landing – Painting a small landing can cost between £100 and £300.
- Medium Sized Landing – The cost for painting a medium-sized landing can range from £300 to £500.
- Large Landing – A large landing may cost between £500 and £700 to paint.
Wallpaper
- Small Landing – Wallpapering a small landing may cost between £100 and £250.
- Medium Sized Landing – Wallpapering a medium-sized landing can range from £200 to £400.
- Large Landing – Wallpapering a large landing may cost between £400 and £600 to paint.
What else is involved?
- Flooring: Needs to be durable as this area can receive a lot of traffic.
- Lighting: Important for safety.
How much is too much?
Similar to hallways, landings are functional spaces, so spending more than £1,000 – £2,000 shouldn’t really be required.
Conclusion
The cost of redecorating varies significantly based on the size of the room and the changes needed.
Painting and decorating costs range from £100 to £850 depending on the room size.
However, there are additional costs involved, such as new furniture, lighting, flooring, and other updates that can significantly increase the overall expense.
Ultimately, while it is important to create a beautiful and comfortable living space, it is also crucial to set a budget and stick to it.
It is advisable to prioritise the changes that will have the most significant impact on your living space and your quality of life. And importantly, if you are hiring someone else to carry out the work, make sure they are fully vetted and qualified.
