How Much Do Special Effect Paint Finishes Cost? [2024]

Painting is no longer about boring white walls. Special effect paint finishes mean you can create a huge range of different artistic effects in your rooms.

Crackling, sponging, dragging and distressing are just some of the modern techniques that create unique finishes to apply to surfaces in and around your home, without having to spend a fortune.

Read this guide to find out about the different types of special effect paint finishes, costs and how to best apply them.

How much do special effect paint finishes cost?

Applying special paint finishes requires a professional who knows how to seamlessly use the paint products to create the desired effect. The finish should also complement the rest of the room and frame the space.

Since it's a skill that requires high attention to detail and more time, special effect paint finishes cost more than standard painting jobs. However, they are still relatively affordable – a feature wall may cost from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the effect and size of the wall.

How does this compare to a regular painting job? Based on a single undercoat and two finishing coats, the average cost of interior painting in Australia is about $20 to $30 per square metre. The lower end of this estimate is based on using a single colour with minimal prep and trim work. For a more difficult job that requires multiple colours, gloss architraves and a separate colour for the ceiling trim, a quote might be $40 or more per square metre.

Expect to pay even more for special finishes like wallpapering or to achieve crackle or sponged effects. If you only want a small space painted expect to be quoted:

• From $260 for a single wall, door or section of skirting board
• $800 to $1500 for 2 spaces, such as 2 bedrooms or a kitchen/dining area

With any painting project, preparation is the key to a quality finish. Some people may go for a cheaper quote, but if the preparation isn't done right, it's simply going to flake off in a year or so. You also need to be very careful to match the correct type of paint with the surface.

What are special effect paint finishes?

Special paint finishes add something extra beyond the usual matte, semi-gloss and glossy paint finishes. While these standard finishes can be ideal for large, expansive spaces – and for creating a sleek blank canvas – special finishes add more interest, which can make them ideal for feature walls.

A beautifully painted feature wall in a themed living room, study or bedroom creates a stunning, chic space and really allows you to put a unique stamp on your abode. Applying special effect paint finishes requires a little know-how and special tools/materials. Some of the most popular options are:

• Colour washing – washing over a base coat with a stronger top coat to combine tones from contrasting or matching paint colours
• Crackling – the acrylic top coat shrinks and cracks as it dries, creating an aged effect
• Dragging – dragging a dry brush or other tool through the wet paint for an aged finish
• Ragging – rubbing a cloth over wet paint to give the appearance of marble
• Sponging – dabbing paint with a sponge for a mottled or cloudy finish
• Stippling – prodding wet paint with the bristles of a dry brush for a suede-like finish
• Textured paint – pre-made special effect paint finishes that can be painted directly onto walls

Read more: How to paint a room

Chalk paint

Chalk paint is available pre-mixed or as a powder that can be added to standard paint. This thick paint leaves a textured finish on walls and can be combined with other types of paint, such as metallic paint, to achieve all kinds of effects. As an added bonus, it's also low-VOC and eco-friendly.

Chalk paint is more expensive than standard paint, retailing in Australia for around $19 per 250ml or $37 per 500ml.

Read more: What is chalk paint?

Spray painting

Spray painting is becoming a popular option for refreshing tired interior and exterior walls and ceilings quickly. Professional spray painting costs more than standard painting because it requires extra work and equipment – often from $35 to $60 per hour.

You can try to spray paint walls and other surfaces yourself, but bear in mind that any painting job requires a significant amount of prep work. In the case of spray painting, this means masking, cleaning and setting up the spray equipment. So, while hiring spray painting equipment and doing it yourself might seem like a quick and cheap job, that's exactly how the end result is likely to look – fast and cheap.

Spending a little more to hire a professional painter takes the headache out of preparation and ensures you get a smooth and flawless finish. They'll also be able to propose the best paint type and hue to complement your décor, budget and vision. And, best of all, they'll probably get it done a lot faster.