Interior Painting in Seattle: December 2025 Cost Guide

Updated: December 2025

December in Seattle brings short days, holiday lights, and the final push of 2025. While exterior work is completely paused due to the rain and cold, interior painting remains a top request for homeowners looking to spruce up before guests arrive or simply wanting to start the New Year with a completely fresh look.

If you are planning a project to close out the year, here is a transparent breakdown of what you can expect to pay for interior painting in Seattle as of December 2025.

Average Cost per Square Foot in Seattle (Year-End 2025)

In the Greater Seattle area, labor and material costs remain higher than the national average. For December 2025, pricing reflects the demand for skilled indoor crews:

• Standard Wall Painting: $3.25 – $5.50 per sq. ft.
• Walls + Trim + Ceilings: $6.00 – $8.50 per sq. ft.
• Cabinet Refinishing: $130 – $180 per door/drawer face

Pro Tip: The "Holiday Crunch." Contractors often have tight schedules in the first two weeks of December as clients rush to finish projects before the holidays. If you can be flexible and schedule your job for after the holidays (late December/early January), you might secure better availability.

Cost Estimates by Room Size

To help you budget, here are average ranges for common Seattle room sizes, assuming standard prep work and two coats of high-quality acrylic latex paint:

• Powder Room (approx. 5' x 6')

  • Walls Only: $400 – $650
  • Walls + Trim + Ceiling: $800 – $1,100

• Bedroom / Office (approx. 10' x 12')

  • Walls Only: $650 – $1,000
  • Walls + Trim + Ceiling: $1,200 – $1,900

• Large Living Room (approx. 16' x 20')

  • Walls Only: $1,100 – $1,900
  • Walls + Trim + Ceiling: $2,400 – $3,600

• Open Concept Main Floor (800+ sq. ft.)

  • Walls Only: $2,600 – $4,200
  • Walls + Trim + Ceiling: $5,200 – $8,800

Seattle-Specific Factors That Influence Your Quote

1. Occupied Spaces: Painting in December often means working around furniture, decorations, and occupied homes. Moving and protecting furniture in a lived-in space adds labor time compared to an empty rental or new build.
2. Moisture Management: While interiors are heated, Seattle winters are damp. Professional painters use specific low-moisture interior paints and ensure proper ventilation to keep curing times fast so you can get back to using your room.
3. Lead Paint: For our clients in historic neighborhoods (like Queen Anne or Wallingford), older homes often require EPA-certified lead safety practices, which is a critical safety step that influences the budget.

Color Outlook: Transitioning to 2026

As we close out 2025, we are seeing a strong shift away from cool grays toward "Comfort Colors."

• Warmer Whites: Stark white is being replaced by creamy, "whipped" whites (like Sherwin-Williams Greek Villa) that feel softer under LED lighting.
• Dark & Moody: Powder rooms and dining rooms are going dark—think Charcoal Blue or Forest Green—to create intimate spaces for winter entertaining.
• Earthy Terracottas: A surprising trend in Seattle right now is the use of muted clay tones to add warmth to our gray winter days.

Why Paint in December?

• Holiday Hosting: Nothing cleans up a home for guests faster than a fresh coat of paint on scuffed hallways and baseboards.
• Tax Planning: For rental property owners, completing maintenance before December 31st can be important for tax year expenses (consult your CPA).
• The "New Year" Refresh: Many homeowners choose to paint in late December so they can wake up on January 1st to a home that feels brand new.

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Planning a refresh for the New Year? Use our Smart Cost Estimator to get a precise budget for your specific project today.