How Much Paint Does a Living Room Need?
A standard 15x20 living room with 9ft ceilings has approximately 630 square feet of gross wall area. After deducting two windows and one door, the paintable area is around 575 square feet. At 400 square feet per gallon with two coats, that equals about 2.9 gallons — most homeowners buy 3 gallons.
A smaller 12x15 living room needs about 2 gallons for two coats. A large open-plan living area 18x24 needs 4 to 5 gallons. If you have a feature or accent wall in a different colour, calculate that wall separately and buy accordingly.
In litres, a standard 15x20 living room needs 10 to 12 litres for two coats. Two 5 litre tins is the most common purchase for an average living room.
Living Room Paint — Reference Table
| Living Room Size | 1 Coat | 2 Coats | Litres (2 coats) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12x15 small | ~1.1 gal | ~2.2 gal | ~8.3 litres |
| 15x18 medium | ~1.5 gal | ~3 gal | ~11.4 litres |
| 15x20 standard | ~1.5 gal | ~3 gal | ~11.4 litres |
| 18x24 large | ~2.1 gal | ~4.2 gal | ~15.9 litres |
| 20x30 open plan | ~2.8 gal | ~5.5 gal | ~20.8 litres |
Best Paint Finish for a Living Room
Eggshell or satin are the most popular finishes for living rooms. Eggshell gives a clean, low-sheen look that is easy to wipe and holds up well to regular use. Satin is slightly more durable and easier to clean — ideal for living rooms with children or pets.
Avoid flat paint in living rooms unless you are going for a specific luxury matte look and the room sees light use. Flat paint marks easily and cannot be scrubbed without damage.
Tips for Painting a Living Room
Move furniture to the centre of the room and cover with drop cloths before starting. Do not try to paint around furniture.
Calculate accent walls separately if you are using a different colour. A typical 15ft accent wall at 9ft ceiling height is 135 sq ft — about one quart per coat.
Buy 5-gallon buckets if you need 5 gallons or more of the same colour — they are cheaper per gallon and guarantee colour batch consistency.
Use a 9-inch roller with a 3/8 inch nap for smooth living room walls. This gives the fastest, most even coverage.
Paint window and door frames last using semi-gloss trim paint after all wall paint is completely dry.
Related Paint Calculators
- Living Room Paint Calculator →
- How Much Paint for a 15x15 Room? →
- How Much Paint for Interior of House? →
- Dining Room Paint Calculator →
- Paint Cost Calculator →
- Two Coat Paint Calculator →
- Free Paint Calculator →
Frequently Asked Questions
How many gallons of paint for a living room?
A standard 15x20 living room needs about 3 gallons for two coats on the walls. A smaller 12x15 living room needs about 2 gallons. A large open-plan space needs 4 to 5 gallons.
How many litres of paint for a living room?
A standard 15x20 living room needs 10 to 12 litres for two coats. Two 5 litre tins is the most common purchase. A small living room can be done with one 5 litre tin plus a 2.5 litre tin.
How much paint for a living room accent wall?
A typical 15ft accent wall at 9ft ceiling height is 135 sq ft. You need about one quart per coat, or one gallon for two coats with some left over for touch-ups.
What finish is best for a living room?
Eggshell or satin are most popular. Eggshell looks clean and refined. Satin is more durable and better for living rooms with children or pets.
Should the living room and dining room be the same colour?
In open-plan homes, using the same colour or complementary tones creates cohesive flow. In separate rooms, you can use contrasting colours for distinct personalities in each space.
How much does it cost to paint a living room?
DIY paint costs $50 to $120 for an average living room. Professional painters charge $300 to $900 depending on room size and location.