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Livingetc
Livingetc
Faiza Saqib

How Long Does Paint Take to Dry? Ballpark Figures for Different Finishes and Conditions

A bedroom with a brown and white painted wall, and geometric artworks .

When decorating to a deadline, the time it takes for paint to dry can feel like a lifetime. But whether it's how long you leave it between coats, or the final cure before decorating your space, there's a good reason to let your walls dry properly first.

The waiting game is an unavoidable part of the process of painting a room, but figuring out exactly how long you need to wait isn't so difficult. First up, identify the type of paint you need to use for a space. Is it water-based or oil-based? Do you want a matte or glossy finish? As for how long you'll need to wait between each coat — this depends on the type of paint you use, how you apply the paint, as well as the temperature and humidity in a room.

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