---
title: "How to save money when decorating a room"
description: "How to save money on decorating: plan the room, buy the right amount of paint, prepare well, do it yourself where you can and refresh with small changes."
author: "Wealtie Team"
published: 2026-11-12
updated: 2026-11-12
category: "Saving"
canonical: https://wealtie.com/blog/save-money-on-decorating
---

# How to save money when decorating a room

To save money on decorating, plan the room before you shop, buy only as much paint as you need, prepare surfaces well and do the work yourself where you can. In a worked example, repainting a bedroom yourself costs about 120, against about 400 to hire a decorator.

## Key takeaways

- To save money on decorating, plan first and buy only what you need.
- In a worked example, repainting a bedroom yourself costs about 120, against about 400 to hire a decorator.
- Good preparation makes cheaper paint look better and last longer.
- Small changes, like new cushions, lighting or a feature wall, can refresh a room for little.

## How do you save money on decorating?

Plan before you buy, do what you can yourself and focus on changes that make the biggest difference. Decorating a room can transform how it feels, but costs add up quickly with paint, tools, materials and labour. Most of the savings come from good planning: knowing what you want, measuring properly and buying only what you need. Collecting ideas and colour samples before you shop stops impulse purchases in the store.

If you rent, check with your landlord before painting or making changes. Some landlords are happy for tenants to paint in neutral colours, and may even pay for materials.

## How much does it cost to repaint a room?

Here's a worked example for a bedroom, in round numbers that work in any currency:

| Cost | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Paint | 70 |
| Brushes, rollers and tray | 25 |
| Filler, tape and sandpaper | 15 |
| Dust sheets | 10 |
| **Total** | **120** |

![Repainting a bedroom. Paint: 70, Brushes, rollers and tray: 25, Filler, tape and sandpaper: 15, Dust sheets: 10.](https://us-1-s3.polodev.net/wealtie-blog-media/posts/2026/11/repainting-a-bedroom-paint-70-brushes-rollers-and-tray-25-a1269bdff1.webp "Source: Worked example in round numbers")

Hiring a decorator for the same room might cost about 400 in this example, since labour is the biggest cost. Your own figures depend on the room size, the paint and local prices. If you already own brushes and dust sheets from a previous job, the cost drops further.

## How do you work out how much paint you need?

Measure the walls and check the coverage on the tin. Multiply the height by the width of each wall, add them together and subtract large windows and doors. Most walls need two coats. Buying the right amount avoids half-used tins sitting in a cupboard, or a second trip to the shop mid-job. Keep any leftover paint, labelled with the room, for touch-ups later.

### Choosing paint

Mid-range paint often covers better than the cheapest, so you may need fewer coats, which saves time and money. For ceilings and less-used rooms, budget paint can work well. Testers let you check colours before buying large tins. Lighter colours over a light base usually need fewer coats than a big change from dark to light.

## Why does preparation matter?

Good preparation makes any paint look better and last longer. Fill cracks and holes, sand rough patches, wash walls that are greasy and use masking tape around edges. It takes time but costs little, and it stops you needing to redo the job sooner. Skipping preparation is one of the most common reasons a cheap paint job looks cheap. Moving furniture out or to the middle of the room and covering it saves cleaning and damage costs.

## Should you do it yourself?

For painting and simple decorating, often yes. Painting is a skill most people can learn, and online guides make it easier. Starting with a small room or a feature wall builds confidence before bigger jobs. Save professional help for jobs that need it, like electrics, plastering large areas or work at height. Borrowing tools, like ladders and steamers, from friends saves buying them for one job. If you hire a professional for part of the job, doing the preparation and clearing yourself can lower the quote.

### Look after your tools

Cleaning brushes and rollers properly means you can reuse them for the next room. Wrapping them in cling film between coats on the same day saves washing them each time.

## How do you refresh a room for less?

You don't always need a full redecoration. Small changes can make a big difference:

- Paint one feature wall instead of the whole room
- Change cushions, throws or curtains
- Add a rug or move furniture around
- Update lighting with new lampshades or bulbs
- Paint old furniture or replace handles
- Hang pictures or mirrors you already own

Second-hand furniture and decor can add character for little money. [How to buy second-hand](https://wealtie.com/blog/buy-second-hand) has tips. Paint shops sometimes sell mis-tinted paint cheaply, which can be perfect for a feature wall or furniture.

## How do you plan a decorating budget?

List what you want to change, price each part and add a little extra for things you forget, like extra tape or a second roller. Doing one room at a time spreads the cost. Shops often have paint and decorating offers at certain times of year, so planning ahead lets you buy when prices drop. [The home renovation budget](https://wealtie.com/blog/home-renovation-budget) covers bigger projects, and [the home maintenance budget](https://wealtie.com/blog/home-maintenance-budget) covers regular upkeep around the home.

## How do you track decorating costs in Wealtie?

Log paint, tools and materials in a home improvement line in your [expense categories](https://wealtie.com/features/categories), so you can see what each room cost. A monthly limit in the [budget tracker](https://wealtie.com/features/budgets) helps you spread projects over several months without stretching your budget.

## Questions people ask

### How can I save money on decorating?

Plan first, buy only the paint you need, prepare surfaces well, do it yourself and refresh with small changes.

### How much does it cost to paint a room?

In a worked example, about 120 to do a bedroom yourself, against about 400 to hire a decorator.

### How much paint do I need?

Measure your walls, subtract windows and doors, check coverage on the tin and plan for two coats.

### Is cheap paint worth it?

Mid-range paint often covers better and needs fewer coats. Budget paint can work well for ceilings and less-used rooms.

*This article is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Your situation is your own; check the numbers that apply to you before you act on them.*