How Much Does It Cost to Paint Stairway Walls? [2025 Data]
The cost to paint stairway walls commonly ranges from $400 to $600 and is $500 on average. The final price for your project depends on the type of paint you choose, the square footage of the area, and whether or not you hire a professional painter.
The cost to paint stairway walls can range anywhere from $350 to $1,125, but most people pay $500. If you want to spruce up your home but you’re not ready for full-on renovations, painting the stairway is the perfect way to do it. We’ve got all the info you need to start budgeting.
Cost per Square Foot
In general, the average cost to paint a room per square foot is between $2 and $6. Your home’s stairway walls are likely between 8 feet by 12 feet and 14 feet by 12 feet, depending on the size of the rest of your home.
| Hallway Size in Feet | Square Footage | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 8x12 | 96 | $190–$600 |
| 10x12 | 120 | $240–$720 |
| 12x12 | 144 | $290–$860 |
| 12x14 | 168 | $340–$1,010 |
Cost by Paint Type
When reimagining your stairway, think about your hallway paint colors and the type of paint you want. You have several options to choose from, and each has a different cost.
| Type of Paint | Average Cost per Gallon |
|---|---|
| Latex or water-based paint | $25–$30 |
| Acrylic latex paint | $40–$60 |
| Oil-based paint | $50–$60 |
| Urethane-based paint | $50–$65 |
Latex- or Water-Based Paint
Latex or water-based paint usually costs between $25 and $30 per gallon. Latex paint is sometimes referred to as water-based paint because it has a water base, meaning it’s non-toxic, dries quickly, and is easier to clean than other options. You can get it in matte or high gloss sheens, and this is a good option if you think your stairway will be a magnet for dirt. But there is a drawback; latex paint is not as durable as oil-based varieties.
Acrylic Latex Paint
Acrylic latex paint costs around $40 to $60 per gallon and is resistant to peeling, flaking, and cracking. It’s also temperature-resistant and easy to clean, so it’s a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Acrylic paints tend to have a brighter pigment than some other paint types, so this is a good choice if you’re looking for a color pop.
Oil-Based Paint
At $50 to $60 per gallon, oil-based paints are durable and smooth, making them an ideal option if you’re going for a high-gloss finish. Oil-based paint is super resistant to scuffs and dings, so it’s suitable for homes with kids who might knock toys and other things against the walls. Some people shy away from oil-based paints because they have a strong odor and will crack and peel more quickly than others.
Urethane-Based Paint
You can expect to pay between $50 and $60 for a gallon of urethane-based paint at most local hardware stores. Urethane-based paints are usually used on cars, but they’re being used more frequently in homes because they are durable and easy to clean. Urethane-based paint goes well on wood or metal and is best for trim and molding work.
Cost by Finish
Do you want your walls to shine or have a matte look? Or perhaps you’d like something in between? The paint finish you choose will determine the sheen of your walls.
| Paint Finish | Average Cost per Gallon |
|---|---|
| Flat | $20–$35 |
| Eggshell | $20–$40 |
| Semi-gloss | $35–$40 |
| High-gloss | $30–$40 |
| Satin | $40–$50 |
Flat Paint
Flat paint usually costs between $20 and $35 per gallon and will give you the most matte look. While this type of paint offers a lot of bang for your buck—a gallon can go a long way—it is tough to clean and often comes off when wiped.
Eggshell Paint
You can expect to spend between $20 and $40 per gallon for eggshell finish paint. This is the next step up from matte in the gloss department, offering a slightly shinier surface, kind of like an eggshell. It’s easier to clean than flat paint but is still a better option for areas with little traffic.
Semi-Gloss Paint
A gallon of semi-gloss paint usually costs between $35 and $40 per gallon. This easy-to-clean paint does well with being wiped off, but it can lose its sheen if scrubbed too hard.
High-Gloss Paint
High-gloss paint generally runs between $30 and $40 per gallon. As the name indicates, high-gloss has a gleaming look and is also easy to clean, fingerprint-resistant, and has a hard finish. It does, however, show nicks and scuffs easily.
Satin Paint
Satin finish paints typically cost between $40 and $50 per gallon. This finish is often described as looking like velvet and appears matte from some angles and shiny from others. It’s easy to clean, but it will rub off easily if scrubbed too hard, like flat paint. However, it’s reflective and durable, so it shouldn’t require vigorous scrubbing to remove marks.
Painting Stairway Walls Cost Factors
When thinking about the cost to paint your hallway, you need to consider the paint cost and the cost of materials and labor.
Materials
Painting supplies usually run between $10 and $100, depending on the item. If you hire a local painting contractor, they will usually supply their own materials and include that in their cost estimate.
Labor
If you hire a professional painter, expect to pay between $2 and $6 per square foot or $20 to $50 per hour. If you provide paint and materials, the labor alone will cost between $1.50 and $4 per square foot. The labor costs will vary based on the difficulty of the project, the size, and the time it will take.
Additional Details
Expect to pay more for painting details like trim and molding. Your painting pro will add this to the overall cost of your project, but to help with budgeting the average cost to paint baseboards is around $1,250.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Stairway painting is a very common DIY project. All in, you can get your paint and equipment for $200 to $300. However, DIY painting rarely gets you the same smooth results as hiring a pro. Plus, it’s very difficult to get all the way up the wall in a stairway, and you often need to use a ladder, which can be dangerous. If you want the cleanest results possible without straining your back and waiting an entire weekend for layers of paint to dry, consider hiring a painting pro for this job.
Pros are more and more commonly using paint sprayers for interior projects for the smoothest results possible. You can consider DIY spray painting to make the job easier, but it also comes with its own set of challenges, like extra prep, overspray, and fumes.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
It will usually take a professional painter between three and four hours to paint a stairway; if you’re DIY-ing, plan to spend between four and six hours, depending on the difficulty of your project and the size of your hallway or foyer.
Painting a two-story foyer costs on average between $2 to $6 per square foot, but can increase depending on the amount of detail needed like skylights, windows, trim, and more. For a 300-square-foot foyer, expect to pay between $600 and $1,800 or more.
Light colors are a good choice for any small space because they brighten it up and create the illusion of more space. Soft greens, blues, or white paint shades are good neutral choices, but a bright yellow can add pizzazz to your room.
For a stairway or foyer, you should be able to do the whole room with a single gallon of paint. However, if your room is on the larger end, measure carefully and check a paint calculator just to be safe.
Painting your stairway or foyer before selling can make your home more appealing to prospective buyers. “Painting a foyer is a great way to maximize your home’s value,” says Tschudi. “Prospective buyers see fresh paint and clean and empty rooms as a palate and are more compelled to buy.”
