What you need to know about painting your home in New York City - from square footage and per-room pricing, the cost of wallpaper installation & how to ensure a quality paint job in older homes.

Whether you're refreshing a single room before moving in or completely transforming your home, one of the first questions most homeowners ask is: How much will it cost?

The answer depends on several factors, including the size of the space, the condition of your walls, the level of preparation required, and the materials you choose. In New York City, where many apartments are decades (or even centuries) old, wall preparation often has a bigger impact on pricing than the painting itself.

Those Brooklyn brownstones sure are pretty, but getting them to look new is a bit more involved, when it comes to painting. Here's what you can expect to pay when budgeting for interior painting, wallpaper installation, and skim coating / plaster repairs.

Interior Painting Costs (New York City Area)

Professional interior painting is typically priced based on the amount of preparation required, the complexity of the space, ceiling height, trim, and the number of coats needed. As a general guide:

Small room: $600–$1,200
Average bedroom: $900–$1,800
Living / dining area: $1,200–$2,500
Studio apartment: $1,500–$3,000
One-bedroom apartment: $2,500–$5,000
Two-bedroom apartment: $4,000–$8,000+

These ranges typically include:

Surface preparation
Minor nail hole and crack repairs
Priming where needed
Two finish coats
Protection of floors and furnishings
Cleanup after completion

Projects involving extensive patching, water damage, damaged plaster, intricate trim work, built-ins, or unusually high ceilings generally require additional labor.

You can also price out your project based on apartment size / square footage.

Wallpaper Installation Costs

Wallpaper has become increasingly popular again, especially for accent walls, powder rooms, nurseries, and dining rooms. Installation pricing varies depending on:

Pattern complexity
Material type (vinyl, grasscloth, peel-and-stick, etc.)
Pattern matching requirements
Wall condition
Number of seams and corners

Wallpaper itself is generally purchased separately by the homeowner, although many contractors are happy to recommend trusted brands and calculate how many rolls you'll need. In the NYC market, you can expect to pay somewhere in the range of:

Accent wall: $600–$1,200
Small room: $1200–$2,000
Full room: $1,500–$3,500+

Many older NYC apartments require additional wall repairs after wallpaper removal before they're ready for paint or new wallpaper. Keep in mind that removing existing wallpaper often requires significantly more labor than installing new paper, with a number of factors impacting overall cost:

Number of wallpaper layers
Adhesive condition
Whether walls were properly primed before installation
Damage uncovered during removal

Why Older Buildings Often Need Skim Coating

One of the biggest surprises homeowners encounter is that older walls aren't always smooth beneath the paint. Many Manhattan and Brooklyn brownstones, pre-war co-ops, and older apartments have imperfections that painting alone can’t always hide, including:

Multiple generations of paint
Cracked plaster
Previous repairs
Uneven drywall patches
Heavy texture
Wallpaper damage
Hairline settlement cracks

That's where skim coating comes in. Skim coating is the process of applying a very thin layer of joint compound across the wall or ceiling to create a smooth, uniform surface before painting or wallpaper installation. We often recommend skim coating to repair and prep surfaces after:

Wallpaper removal
Water damage repairs
Large drywall repairs
Years of patchwork
Cracked plaster repairs
Renovations that leave uneven walls

Image of a yellow painted damaged wall with holes left over after removal of a bathroom mirror requiring skim coating repair and painting

How Much Does Skim Coating Cost?

A "after" image of repaired wall using skim coating to prep the surface for painting yellow.

While skim coating adds to the project cost, it often delivers the biggest visual improvement—especially in older homes where surface imperfections become more noticeable after applying fresh paint. Pricing depends largely on how much of the wall requires resurfacing. Skim coating in a NYC apartment might run you:

Spot repairs: Approximately $200–$800
One wall: Approximately $500–$1,500
Entire room: Approximately $1,500–$4,000+
Whole apartment: Varies based on square footage and wall condition

In New York City, labor often centers on preparation. A room with perfectly smooth walls may take a fraction of the time required for another room of identical size that needs extensive repairs. Every project is unique, but the biggest pricing factors include:

Size of the space
Wall condition
Amount of preparation required
Ceiling height
Trim, molding, and built-ins
Number of colors
Paint brand and finish
Wallpaper material
Furniture moving requirements
Building access and elevator restrictions

Side by side before and after view of a window sill in an older New York City apartment that has been repaired and repainted.

**Should I Repair the Walls Before Painting?**

Almost always. Even premium paint can't hide dents, cracks, old patches, or peeling surfaces. Investing in proper wall preparation allows your finish coat to look cleaner, smoother, and more durable.

Whether you’re upgrading your home, moving into a new one, or selling, investing in professional wall repairs often produces one of the highest visual returns on your money.

Tips to Save Money on Painting

1) Avoid Over/Under Buying Paint. Have a professional evaluate your project for best results.

The best way to receive an accurate estimate is through either a virtual quote (using photos and measurements) or an in-home consultation for more complex projects. Doing so can help you avoid the hassle of buying too much or too little paint, the wrong kind, or poor quality material. If your walls are in good condition, a virtual estimate is often sufficient.

2) Don’t DIY if There’s Damage - It’ll Cost You in the End.

For older homes with damaged plaster, wallpaper removal, or extensive repairs, an on-site visit allows your contractor to evaluate the surfaces and recommend the most appropriate approach. Unless you’re well-versed in home renovations, a DIY job can quickly turn in a costly project.

3) Properly Prep Your Walls for Painting.

A quality paint job isn't just about color—it's about the preparation beneath it. Taking the time to properly repair and smooth your walls creates a finish that looks better, lasts longer, and makes your home feel completely transformed.

View of a recently repainted hallway featuring neutral walls, white molding, and newly finished hardwood flooring. — Photo: Undertone Interiors

Ready to Start Planning Your Painting Project?

Read more about What it Costs to Paint an Apartment in NYC.
Check out our guide on How to Hire a Professional Painter.
How to choose the right paint finish.
Contact us to schedule a free in-home estimate or virtual quote.

Wallpaper, Paint & Skimcoating: What does it cost?

What you need to know about painting your home in New York City - from square footage and per-room pricing, the cost of wallpaper installation & how to ensure a quality paint job in older homes.

Whether you're refreshing a single room before moving in or completely transforming your home, one of the first questions most homeowners ask is: How much will it cost?

Those Brooklyn brownstones sure are pretty, but getting them to look new is a bit more involved, when it comes to painting. Here's what you can expect to pay when budgeting for interior painting, wallpaper installation, and skim coating / plaster repairs.

Interior Painting Costs (New York City Area)

Professional interior painting is typically priced based on the amount of preparation required, the complexity of the space, ceiling height, trim, and the number of coats needed. As a general guide:

Small room: $600–$1,200

Average bedroom: $900–$1,800

Living / dining area: $1,200–$2,500

Studio apartment: $1,500–$3,000

One-bedroom apartment: $2,500–$5,000

Two-bedroom apartment: $4,000–$8,000+

These ranges typically include:

Surface preparation

Minor nail hole and crack repairs

Priming where needed

Two finish coats

Protection of floors and furnishings

Cleanup after completion

Projects involving extensive patching, water damage, damaged plaster, intricate trim work, built-ins, or unusually high ceilings generally require additional labor.

You can also price out your project based on apartment size / square footage.

Wallpaper Installation Costs

Wallpaper has become increasingly popular again, especially for accent walls, powder rooms, nurseries, and dining rooms. Installation pricing varies depending on:

Pattern complexity

Material type (vinyl, grasscloth, peel-and-stick, etc.)

Pattern matching requirements

Wall condition

Number of seams and corners

Wallpaper itself is generally purchased separately by the homeowner, although many contractors are happy to recommend trusted brands and calculate how many rolls you'll need. In the NYC market, you can expect to pay somewhere in the range of:

Accent wall: $600–$1,200

Small room: $1200–$2,000

Full room: $1,500–$3,500+

Many older NYC apartments require additional wall repairs after wallpaper removal before they're ready for paint or new wallpaper. Keep in mind that removing existing wallpaper often requires significantly more labor than installing new paper, with a number of factors impacting overall cost:

Number of wallpaper layers

Adhesive condition

Whether walls were properly primed before installation

Damage uncovered during removal

Why Older Buildings Often Need Skim Coating

One of the biggest surprises homeowners encounter is that older walls aren't always smooth beneath the paint. Many Manhattan and Brooklyn brownstones, pre-war co-ops, and older apartments have imperfections that painting alone can’t always hide, including:

Multiple generations of paint

Cracked plaster

Previous repairs

Uneven drywall patches

Heavy texture

Wallpaper damage

Hairline settlement cracks

That's where skim coating comes in. Skim coating is the process of applying a very thin layer of joint compound across the wall or ceiling to create a smooth, uniform surface before painting or wallpaper installation. We often recommend skim coating to repair and prep surfaces after:

Wallpaper removal

Water damage repairs

Large drywall repairs

Years of patchwork

Cracked plaster repairs

Renovations that leave uneven walls

How Much Does Skim Coating Cost?

Spot repairs: Approximately $200–$800

One wall: Approximately $500–$1,500

Entire room: Approximately $1,500–$4,000+

Whole apartment: Varies based on square footage and wall condition

In New York City, labor often centers on preparation. A room with perfectly smooth walls may take a fraction of the time required for another room of identical size that needs extensive repairs. Every project is unique, but the biggest pricing factors include:

Size of the space

Wall condition

Amount of preparation required

Ceiling height

Trim, molding, and built-ins

Number of colors

Paint brand and finish

Wallpaper material

Furniture moving requirements

Building access and elevator restrictions

Should I Repair the Walls Before Painting?

Almost always. Even premium paint can't hide dents, cracks, old patches, or peeling surfaces. Investing in proper wall preparation allows your finish coat to look cleaner, smoother, and more durable.

Whether you’re upgrading your home, moving into a new one, or selling, investing in professional wall repairs often produces one of the highest visual returns on your money.

Tips to Save Money on Painting

1) Avoid Over/Under Buying Paint. Have a professional evaluate your project for best results.

2) Don’t DIY if There’s Damage - It’ll Cost You in the End.

For older homes with damaged plaster, wallpaper removal, or extensive repairs, an on-site visit allows your contractor to evaluate the surfaces and recommend the most appropriate approach. Unless you’re well-versed in home renovations, a DIY job can quickly turn in a costly project.

3) Properly Prep Your Walls for Painting.

A quality paint job isn't just about color—it's about the preparation beneath it. Taking the time to properly repair and smooth your walls creates a finish that looks better, lasts longer, and makes your home feel completely transformed.

Ready to Start Planning Your Painting Project?

Read more about What it Costs to Paint an Apartment in NYC.

**Should I Repair the Walls Before Painting?**