2025 Cost to Paint an Accent Wall
The average U.S. homeowner spends about $1,259 to paint an accent wall. Depending on size, material, and complexity, most spend between $718 and $1,840.
The cost to paint an accent wall averages between $2 and $6 per square foot, with most U.S. homeowners paying around $1,259. The price can range from anywhere between $300 and $3,000 depending on the size of the wall and the materials used.
Accent Wall Painting Cost Factors
When you decide to change up the look of a room by adding an accent wall, what your local interior painter will charge depends on a few factors. Once you settle on what your dream accent wall idea is, your price may vary based on the details.
Size
The size of your accent wall is one of the main factors that affect the cost. Interior painting costs between $2 and $6 per square foot, and common wall sizes range between 70 and 150 square feet. Two-story walls or extra-long walls will cost more to paint, so you may want to choose a smaller wall as your accent.
| Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 70 | $140–$420 |
| 100 | $200–$600 |
| 125 | $250–$750 |
| 150 | $300–$900 |
Type of Paint
Material costs will vary based on the type of paint finish you choose—higher gloss paints are more expensive than matte or eggshell varieties. When you’re just painting one accent wall, the cost won’t affect your final price dramatically, but it will make a difference.
| Type of Paint | Average Price per Gallon |
|---|---|
| Flat/matte | $10–$50 |
| Eggshell | $12–$60 |
| Satin | $14–$65 |
| Semi-gloss | $15–$80 |
| High-gloss | $15–$100 |
Wall Prep
Getting the perfect finish on your accent wall requires some prep. To prep a wall, a painter will patch drywall imperfections, sand and clean the wall, remove switch plates and outlet covers, cover the floor with a dropcloth, and may tape off trim and ceiling and wall seams. Expect to pay more for walls that need a lot of prep, have heavy staining, or have wallpaper remnants that need to be removed.
Labor
Painters charge an average of $20 to $50 per hour on top of material costs. In many cases, painting pros may have a minimum job charge, so even a faster job, like a single accent wall, may end up costing more to meet the minimum.
Design Complexity
Painting an accent wall one color with a roller, brush, or sprayer will likely keep you at the lower end of the price range, but if you want more complex wall painting techniques, you’ll pay more. Color washing, striping, antiquing, or plaster finishes fetch a premium price due to their complexity and the extra time it takes to complete the project.
Accent Wall Painting Ongoing Costs
Once your accent wall is painted, you won’t incur much in ongoing costs until it’s time to repaint. Small chips and dings can be touched up using leftover paint from the original project using a brush or roller you’ll likely still have on hand. Small drywall holes can be patched and painted with a $5 to $15 tub of spackle and some leftover paint. Regularly dusting and washing your wall can keep your paint in great shape and help your accent wall look brand new for years to come.
DIY Accent Wall Painting vs. Hiring a Pro
Painting an accent wall is a fairly straightforward project many homeowners can take on as a weekend DIY. You can probably tackle this project yourself if you’re experienced with the prep and techniques needed for professional-looking results. You may even try your hand at a wallpaper accent wall or a design like stripes, checks, or a premium plaster finish.
If you’re not confident in your painting skills or don’t want to devote the time to the details of this project, hiring a mural painter ensures your accent wall will look just as you envisioned—and you won’t have to do a moment of prep or clean-up.
"Wallpaper also works best in lower-traffic rooms that don’t get very much moisture. Rooms like kitchens and bathrooms are not ideal for wallpaper since those are considered high-moisture areas and can cause the paper to peel."
— Gregory Pittman, Director of Commercial Painting Services at Five Star Painting
Cost of Common Accent Wall Painting Add-Ons
Many interior painting companies also offer other services to refresh your home. Some common add-on services when painting an accent wall include:
Mural painting: $700–$1,800
Trim painting: $1–$4 per linear foot
Drywall repair: $50–$75 per sq. ft.
Ceiling painting: $0.50–$5 per sq. ft.
Doorstop or bumper installation: $10–$30 each
Ways You Can Save on Accent Wall Painting
The most effective way to cut costs on accent wall painting is to tackle it as a DIY project. If you’re comfortable wielding a paintbrush, you can create your dream accent wall for only the cost of the paint and supplies. If you don’t have the time or the skills to take the job on yourself, you can still save. Here are some ways to cut costs:
Have the entire room or several rooms painted—many companies have a minimum charge, so your accent wall may prove to be more expensive if you aren’t having any other work done.
Supply the paint yourself. Check with your painter, though, since some pros won’t use customer-provided materials.
Do the prep yourself. Filling holes, sanding, and cleaning the walls before the painters arrive could save you on the final price.
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
Accent walls have been a popular decor choice over the past two decades, and they don’t seem to be going out of style any time soon. They’re a quick and easy way to change the mood of the room without committing to painting every wall, and many homeowners like the visual interest they add to a room.
Deciding between a lighter or darker accent wall depends on the effect you’re going for. Choosing an accent wall in a lighter color will make a room feel brighter and more spacious and complement rooms with less natural light. A darker accent wall will add drama and depth to a room and help make larger rooms feel more cozy and intimate.
Paint your accent wall last after painting the other walls in the room. This will prevent color bleed and splatter from the adjacent walls. Be sure to give your other walls plenty of time to fully dry and cure before painting your accent wall—you don’t want the tape to pull off fresh paint when you remove it.
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