If you’re Googling “how often should you paint your house interior?”, you probably feel it’s overdue already.
We say go for it – home interior painting can do wonders for your home.
A fresh coat of paint is an inexpensive and easy way to revive outdated aesthetics, make a room feel better, and eliminate built-up odors and grime.
No demolishing walls, redecorating an entire room or buying new appliances required!
Generally, we recommend interior paint jobs every 5-10 years, but this can vary depending on which room we’re talking about.
How Often to Paint Your Kitchen & Dining Room
Your kitchen and dining room are basically stress tests for interior paint.
People are coming and going all the time, which means hand prints, scuff marks, and dings all over those poor walls.
Meal prep and cooking are also hard on kitchen paint. The heat and humidity get intense in this area, especially if you cook a lot. There’s also a ton of backsplash from dishwashing and similar activities, and moisture can degrade paint over time.
Of course, you have to clean off all those sauce and grease splatters after cooking. The constant scrubbing and harsh cleaners will also take a toll on the paint in your kitchen.
As a result, painting kitchens and dining rooms should be done every three to five years – or sooner if needed.
Notes:
- Modern kitchen paint is formulated specifically for this type of environment, so make sure you’re using the right kind.
Need paint color ideas? Use our guide for picking out the perfect kitchen paint colours!
- Don’t paint over old kitchen paint! If there’s anything on the walls, you’re just sealing in all that gunk instead of refreshing your kitchen.
How Often to Paint Your Living Room
On average, living rooms should be repainted every four to five years.
If you live with children, pets, and smokers, you may want to do it earlier than that.
Also, keep in mind that coastal climates (as is typical here in Vancouver) tend to require more frequent paint jobs due to increased humidity and salt in the air.
If your living room is near an oceanfront property, we recommend checking on its condition every two years and repainting as needed.
Notes:
- Regular maintenance intervals, like dusting and wiping the walls, will help them stay looking newer for longer between painting jobs.
- Painting your living room goes beyond aesthetics. It’s also an opportunity to check for mould damage, cracks, pest infestations, and other issues that can compromise both the wall and the paint job.
How Often to Paint Your Bathroom
Like in the kitchen, bathroom paint is subject to some pretty harsh conditions. Homeowners find peeling walls in their bathrooms often because of:
- Heat and Humidity: The intense humidity from hot showers can cause paint to peel, bubble, or crack over time, especially if the paint is not water-resistant.
- Fluctuating Temperatures: The constant shift from hot to cold can cause paint to expand and contract, leading to cracks and peeling over time.
As a result, plan to repaint your bathroom every two to three years to protect the walls, maintain sanitation, and keep it looking great. This also applies to laundry rooms.
Notes:
- Oil-based paint is a more protective option for the bathroom, laundry room, and other wet areas versus water-based paints.
- Just like kitchen paint, you can now find bathroom paints that are specifically formulated for these conditions. Yes, they may cost a few dollars more, but they perform exceptionally well.
How Often to Paint Your Bedrooms
Unless your tastes change a lot, adult bedrooms can go as long as seven years or longer before requiring a new coat of paint. These areas don’t really get a lot of foot traffic, and the conditions (e.g., temperature) generally stay constant.
However, children’s bedrooms may require more frequent attention, possibly every two to three years, as they are more susceptible to wear and tear due to playtime shenanigans like wall “art” such as drawings and greasy hand prints.
A child’s taste can also change quite dramatically as they grow up, prompting updates to their bedroom décor.
For instance, bright colours may be okay for your kid’s room, but as they enter their teenage years, they might prefer a fresh look with subdued colours.
Notes:
- For kids’ bedrooms, choose washable paint with a high sheen, such as satin or eggshell sheen.
How Often to Paint Your Hallways
Hallways typically get exposed to the elements (if they’re near an entryway) and receive a significant amount of foot traffic. They also receive the most scuff marks thanks to normal activities like bringing in bags or suitcases.
Consequently, it’s a great idea for hallways to be painted every three to five years.
How Often to Paint Your Ceiling, Baseboards, and Trim
Finally, you don’t have to worry about repainting your ceiling, trim, and baseboards as often as other rooms in the house.
Ceilings typically need to be painted every 10 to 15 years, or whenever you repaint your walls, to ensure a consistent and cohesive look throughout the space.
We also recommend doing it when you notice serious indicators of yellowing, staining, or uneven colour.
Unless you notice significant signs of damage, repainting every seven to ten years is also a good schedule for your baseboards, crown moulding, window trim, and other interior trim.
Did You Know?
- Fresh ceiling paint can brighten up a room by up to 20%!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does interior paint last on the wall?
Interior wall paint can last anywhere from two to ten years or longer, depending on factors such as room usage, paint quality, climate, maintenance, and how much traffic it gets.
For instance, it can take just a few years before living and dining rooms require touch-ups. A guest room can last quite a few years before they need to be repainted.
4. Should I just paint over old paint?
No, never paint over old paint – you’re just asking for trouble!
You need to make sure that the paint you’re applying is compatible with the existing paint and that you have done the required preparation.
For one, you’re just covering all the icky stuff that may be there already, especially in the kitchen. The new paint may not adhere to the old one as well, since it wasn’t prepped to receive the fresh coat. This will cause an uneven look and emphasize more signs of damage like cracks and chipped areas.
Setting a good foundation, such as proper drywall prep, cleaning, repairing, and applying quality primer, are non-negotiables when it comes to painting your interior walls.
3. Can you paint a wall too many times?
Not if the initial prep work is executed well. Also, you don’t want or need excessive layers of paint on your wall.
You rarely need more than two coats of paint for interior projects, as long as it’s done using the right products, correct techniques, and ideally, with professional painters on the job.
Conclusion
Forget about the stress and expense of a full remodel – a fresh paint job can make your home feel and look like new at a fraction of the effort.
In fact, why don’t you relax while our friendly Renaissance Painting team takes care of everything?
Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll handle the rest!
In the meantime, check out our interior painting services and portfolio for inspiration on your brand-new space!
