Interior House Painting
Interior painting is judged up close and in daylight, so the standard has to be higher and the work tidier. Cutting-in has to be clean, walls have to be properly prepared, and the house has to stay liveable while the job runs. Across Prahran and the inner south-east we repaint walls, ceilings, cornices, doors and trim in period terraces and modern interiors alike, working room by room with careful protection of floors and furniture and low-odour paints that let you keep using the home.
What interior painting covers
A full interior repaint takes in walls, ceilings, cornices and ceiling roses, architraves, skirting, doors and door frames, and windows. In Prahran's period homes that often means detailed plaster cornices and ceiling roses that need careful cutting-in, and timber doors and sash windows that reward proper sanding and an enamel or low-sheen finish rather than a quick roll-over.
Preparation indoors
Interior prep is about a flawless surface rather than weather protection. That means filling cracks and nail holes, sanding back flaking or uneven areas, sealing patches and new plaster, and sanding timber before enamel. Period homes bring settlement cracks and old, sometimes distempered surfaces that need the right sealer so the new paint holds. We prepare walls to the finish level the room deserves — a flat, even base is what makes the colour look right.
Living in the house while we work
Most interior jobs happen in occupied homes. We run room by room, mask and drop-sheet floors and furniture, use low-odour, low-VOC paints where possible, and clean up each day so the house stays usable. We agree the running order with you so bedrooms, kitchens and living areas are handed back in a sequence that suits how you live.
Colour and finish
Sheen matters as much as colour indoors: low-sheen or matt on walls to hide imperfections, washable finishes in high-traffic areas and kids' rooms, and enamel or semi-gloss on doors and trim for durability. We are happy to talk through colour and finish, and to prepare test areas before committing a whole room.
A word on old paint
Even indoors, pre-1970 homes can carry lead-based paint on old timber trim and doors. Where we are sanding those back, we follow the same safe-work practices (AS 4361.2, WorkSafe and EPA guidance) to keep dust contained.
What it costs
Interior work is usually less than a full exterior repaint and is priced on the number of rooms, the amount of preparation, and whether trim and ceilings are included. We inspect and give a fixed written quote so there are no surprises.
Interior Painting — common questions
Can we stay in the house while you paint?
Yes. We work room by room, protect floors and furniture, use low-odour paints where possible, and clean up daily so the home stays liveable. We agree the running order with you so key rooms are handed back in a sequence that suits you.
Do you paint cornices, ceilings and trim as well as walls?
Yes — a full interior repaint covers walls, ceilings, cornices and ceiling roses, architraves, skirting, doors and windows. In period homes we take particular care with detailed plaster cornices and timber sash windows.
How is interior painting priced?
On the number of rooms, how much surface preparation is needed, and whether ceilings and trim are included. It is usually less than a full exterior repaint. We inspect and provide a fixed written quote before starting.
How many coats do interior walls need?
Two finish coats over a properly prepared and sealed surface is standard. A significant colour change, covering a strong existing colour, or painting over fresh plaster repairs may need an additional coat or a tinted undercoat. A quote should state the number of coats rather than leaving it open.