Living Room Paint Calculator
Living rooms are often the largest rooms in a home and usually have multiple windows and openings. Our estimates below account for a standard living room with two doorways, three windows, and one large picture window. Eggshell or satin finishes are popular choices for living room walls.
Pre-Calculated Paint Estimate
2
gallons
This range covers 343 square feet with 2 coats. The likely estimate is 1.72 gallons before the selected buffer. If you are buying whole gallons, plan on 2.
View Detailed Breakdown
Based on a 16x14 ft room with 8-ft ceilings, 2 door(s), and 4 window(s). Paint at 400 sq ft/gallon with a 15% buffer.
Your paint run
16x14 ft living room, 2 coats
Supplies for this room
- Interior wall paint You need about 2 gallon(s) of wall paint. Browse paint
- 9-inch roller kit with tray A 9-inch roller kit with a tray covers walls quickly. View roller kits
- Painter's tape Tape off trim and ceilings for sharp edges. View tape
- Canvas drop cloth Cover floors before the first can opens. View drop cloths
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Hiring a painter for this room usually runs $450 to $1,050, paint included. Prices vary with where you live and the condition of the walls. See how painters price a room.
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Eggshell is a practical choice for most living rooms. It has a softer look than satin but still wipes clean.
Before using the preset
Measure this room without the usual shortcuts
The result above is a worked example using the dimensions and openings shown in the breakdown. Use these room-specific checks before treating it as a shopping quantity.
- Count open archways and wide passages instead of treating every opening as a standard door.
- This preset deducts two doors, three standard windows, and one large picture window.
- Measure vaulted or sloped walls by dividing them into rectangles and triangles. The rectangular room preset will otherwise understate their area.
Adjust dimensions, texture, primer, and more
Tips for This Room
- Eggshell finish is the most popular choice for living rooms - it has a subtle sheen and hides minor imperfections.
- For large living rooms, buy all paint at once from the same batch for consistent color.
- Consider a 5-gallon bucket for rooms needing 4+ gallons - better value and color consistency.
- Test paint colors with large samples on multiple walls before committing - lighting varies throughout the day.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Everything you need to get professional results.
Paint supplies kit
Rollers, brushes, tape, and drop cloths in one box.
Shop suppliesInterior wall paint
Top-rated interior paint for walls.
Browse paintAirless paint sprayer
Saves hours on big rooms and whole-house jobs.
View sprayersProduct links go to Amazon.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How much paint do I need for a living room?
This 16x14 preset uses about 2 gallons for two coats after its door and window deductions. Rooms with vaulted ceilings, fewer openings, heavy texture, or a separate color may need more.
What paint finish is best for a living room?
Eggshell is the most popular living room finish. It offers a low sheen that hides wall imperfections while being more washable than flat paint. Satin is a good alternative for homes with kids or pets.
How many gallons for an accent wall in a living room?
A single accent wall in a standard living room (about 14 feet wide by 8 feet tall) needs about 1 gallon for two coats. This allows for touch-ups too.
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