How Much Paint Is Needed For A 3 Bedroom House?

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When planning to repaint your home, one of the first questions most homeowners ask is, “How much paint will I actually need?”

Whether you’re freshening up tired walls or giving your entire home a new colour scheme, knowing how much paint to buy saves time, money, and unnecessary stress.

At Advanced Painting, Sydney’s trusted residential painters, we’ve measured, calculated, and painted hundreds of three-bedroom homes.

This guide breaks down exactly what to expect, how to estimate your paint requirements, and why getting it right from the start makes all the difference.

Close-up of white paint being poured from a can against a neutral background.

Understanding How Much Paint You’ll Need

Every home is different, so there isn’t a single “one-size-fits-all” number. The total amount of paint you need depends on several key factors:

Home size and layout: Three-bedroom homes in Sydney vary from compact 90 m² apartments to 200 m² family homes.
Surface area: The total wall and ceiling area determines paint quantity more than room count alone.
Number of coats: Two coats are standard for full coverage and long-lasting results.
Condition of the surface: New plaster or patchwork absorbs more paint, while previously painted surfaces need less.
Paint type and quality: Premium paints like Dulux and Taubmans often provide better coverage, meaning fewer litres per coat.

For most residential projects, professional painters use a simple rule of thumb:
1 litre of paint covers 7-10 square metres per coat.

By applying this formula and adjusting for your home’s layout and surface type, you can estimate paint needs with reasonable accuracy.

Quick Answer – Paint Needed for a 3 Bedroom House (Australia)

For an average three-bedroom Sydney home, you’ll typically need between 35 and 55 litres of paint to complete the interior repaint, depending on layout, surface condition, and coats applied.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Surface	Average Litres	Notes
Walls	~30 L	Two coats, standard 7-8 m² coverage
Ceilings	~15 L	Two coats, flat or matte finish
Doors, trims & skirtings	4-6 L	Semi-gloss or gloss finish

Pro tip: Always buy an extra 10% for touch-ups or future maintenance. Having the same paint batch ensures colour consistency when you need to refresh high-traffic areas later.

Man in White T-shirt Wearing Hard Hat Using a spray painting method.

How to Calculate the Paint Needed for Your Home

If you’d like to double-check the numbers yourself, here’s a simple way to calculate it:

Measure your space: Multiply the wall height by the total perimeter of each room to get your wall area.
Subtract doors and windows: Deduct around 4 m² for each door and 2 m² for each window.
Apply coverage formula: Divide your total surface area by the paint’s coverage rate (check your paint tin, usually 7-10 m²/L).
Multiply by coats: Multiply the result by 2 for two coats.

Example:
For a 3-bedroom home with roughly 300 m² of paintable surface area:
300 ÷ 8 (m²/L) = 37.5 L per coat × 2 coats = 75 L total.

This is a broad calculation, but professional painters use similar formulas, adjusted for paint type and surface texture.

At Advanced Painting, we complete a detailed on-site assessment to ensure your estimate is accurate and materials are used efficiently.

Factors That Affect How Much Paint You’ll Need

No two homes are identical, and the amount of paint required can vary considerably. Here are the main factors that influence your estimate:

Wall texture and surface condition: Fresh plaster or repaired walls absorb more paint.
Colour change: Switching from dark to light colours often requires an extra coat.
Type of paint and finish: Matte finishes may require more product than high-gloss finishes.
Application method: Roller and brush coverage differ slightly, while spray painting uses more paint but provides a smoother finish.
Professional technique: Experienced painters ensure even coats and minimal wastage, which can reduce the total litres needed.

By understanding these variables, you can make informed decisions and avoid under- or over-buying.

Couple shopping for paint and reading labels carefully.

How Much Does Paint Cost for a 3 Bedroom House in Sydney

Paint prices vary by brand and finish, but on average:

4L tin: $60-$120
10L tin: $150-$250

For an entire 3-bedroom interior repaint, expect to spend $600-$1,000 on paint alone, depending on the brands and finishes you choose.

When you hire professionals like Advanced Painting, we use premium paints from Dulux and Taubmans, ensuring superior coverage and a longer-lasting result.

Our team calculates exact requirements to avoid waste and provide transparent, competitive pricing.

Common Mistakes When Estimating Paint Quantities

Even experienced DIY painters can underestimate the amount of paint needed. Avoid these common pitfalls:

Forgetting ceilings, doors, trims, and skirtings
Ignoring surface preparation and primer coats
Using low-quality paint with poor coverage
Failing to factor in colour changes or additional coats
Buying too little paint and needing to re-match later

With more than 20 years of painting experience, Advanced Painting ensures every project is measured, quoted, and executed precisely, so you get a flawless finish without guesswork.

A man checking out different paint types in a store.

When to Call a Professional Painter

While small touch-ups can be managed DIY, full-house repaints are best left to professionals – especially if your home has high ceilings, detailed trims, or multiple colour finishes.

Hiring Advanced Painting means you’ll benefit from:

Over 20 years of experience in residential painting
Fully insured and OH&S compliant team
Clean, punctual, and respectful painters
Premium Dulux and Taubmans paints for lasting quality
A 5-year workmanship warranty on all completed projects

Let our experts handle the hard work while you enjoy the transformation.

Ready to get started?
We’ll provide a detailed assessment and accurate paint estimate for your 3-bedroom home.

Complete painting tools for an interior house painting.

FAQs – Paint Quantity & Home Painting

Before you start shopping for paint or calling in the professionals, you might have a few lingering questions about how much paint you’ll actually need and what to expect during the process.

Here are some of the most common questions Sydney homeowners ask before repainting their 3-bedroom home.

How many square metres does 1 litre of paint cover?
Most interior paints cover 7-10 m² per litre, depending on surface texture and paint quality.

Do ceilings need the same amount of paint as walls?
Ceilings usually require slightly less paint due to fewer surface imperfections, but two coats are still recommended.

How much primer do I need before painting?
Use one coat of primer on new surfaces or dramatic colour changes. One 10L tin typically covers an average 3-bedroom home.

Can I use leftover paint from another project?
Yes, if it’s in good condition and stored properly, but always check for colour or batch inconsistencies.

How long does it take to paint a 3-bedroom house?
A professional team can complete most 3-bedroom interiors in 3-5 days, depending on prep and drying time.