When Should I Repaint My Home’s Interior?

Painting your home’s interior is beneficial for a variety of reasons. Not only does a fresh coat of paint breathe life and vibrancy back into a room, it also helps protect your home from moisture and improves air quality by cutting down on dirt and dust that accumulates over time. It’s a cost-effective way to give your home an aesthetic boost, cover stains, and keep things looking fresh!

But how often should you be repainting?

The short answer is every 5 to 7 years, but that comes with some variables. Everyone’s home and lifestyle are unique, and different rooms are subject to their own types of wear and tear. Let’s first take a look at some telltale signs and reasons to repaint, then break things down room by room.

1. Damage

If your interior paint is cracking or peeling, it’s definitely time to update! These unsightly paint failures could be a product of poor adhesion from the previous paint job, an underlying issue with moisture, or improper prep/application. Whatever the cause, leaving cracked or peeling paint as-is exposes the walls beneath and could lead to bigger problems in the future.

2. Fading and Discoloration

Sun exposure, time, and other environmental factors can cause paint to fade and discolor. If you notice uneven coloring, faded spots, or inconsistent sheen, it’s time for an update to keep your home looking its best.

3. Stains and Marks

While some markings and stains are washable, others are more persistent – and become annoying eyesores the longer you have to look at them. If unsightly stains and marks are getting on your nerves, repainting is a simple way to cover them up!

4. New Look

Sometimes simply wanting a new look is reason enough to repaint! A new color scheme, accent wall, or refresh can make a huge difference in the overall look and feel of your home. If you want to change things up, interior repainting is an easy way to achieve a big aesthetic shift.

Now, it’s important to understand that not all rooms receive the same amount of traffic or the same kinds of activities. To help you understand if a room in your home is overdue for repainting, here are some general guidelines for the most common types of rooms.

Bedrooms

For adult bedrooms, repainting every 10 years or so (unless you’re doing an overhaul to the decor) is enough to keep them looking good over time.

For children’s rooms, however, repainting every 2 to 3 years is a good idea. Not only will kids’ interests and preferences change as they age, these young people are also much more likely to put scuffs in the walls, make messes, and benefit from the air quality/antimicrobial properties that many modern paints offer.

Living Rooms

Living rooms tend to be high-traffic areas in any home, so it’s recommended that you repaint every 5 to 7 years. This will help the room look its best for your family and guests, keep any potential damage or staining in check, and create the welcoming atmosphere you want.

Bathrooms

Because of the inherent humidity and frequent traffic of bathrooms, repainting every 3 to 4 years will help ensure the walls are protected, avoid any peeling or bubbling, and keep things looking fresh!

Kitchens

Kitchens are among the highest traffic areas of any house, and with the added aspect of preparing and cooking food, the walls are subject to plenty of abuse. Repainting the kitchen every 2 to 3 years helps cover stains, fight food grease that gets into the air (and subsequently onto the walls and ceiling), and ensures a pleasant atmosphere for the heart of your home.

Hallways

Hallways are the true high-traffic areas of the home, and are often the places that get the most handprints, scuffs, dings, and accidental damage. Repainting every 2 to 3 years will help keep them looking their best!

Every home is a bit different, but these general guidelines illustrate that rooms with more traffic, higher humidity, and lots of activity need more frequent repainting than rooms that see less use. Keep an eye out for damage or stains, and prioritize your repainting projects based on a combination of the factors covered here.

Whether it’s a regular update, covering up stains, fixing peeled paint, or a purely aesthetic choice, repainting the interior of your home is a great way to refresh any room. For quotes, questions, or anything else you might need, contact CertaPro today!