There are lots of reasons to repaint your walls. Over time,
walls earn battle scars from kids, pets and furniture rearranging that dull and
mar the paint. You might also be inspired to repaint as styles change. But how
do you know when it’s time to paint the walls?
Which paint finish you choose could define the paint job’s
lifespan in your home. Consider your lifestyle when choosing the finish of your
paint. Flat finishes cover well, for example, but are more difficult to clean
than glossy or satin finishes. You’ll likely need to repaint more often if you
use a flat finish in a high-traffic area.1
Some walls will need to be repainted more frequently due to
the amount of activity in the room. Bedrooms will likely need to be repainted
more often than dining rooms because they’re used in a different way. Here are
some recommended repainting timelines from professionals:
You won’t need to repaint these rooms very often,
particularly if you use reliable and durable paint products. Even though you
probably use these rooms all the time, the durable paint will protect the walls
from the typical causes of wear. The activities in these rooms also extend
paint life because they are generally relaxed. Because of this, living and
dining rooms should only need to be repainted every five to seven years.2
Kitchens and bathrooms are the places where paint is most likely
to experience a lot of wear. Food splatters, messy fingers and moisture –
whether from cooking or showering – can really take a toll on your paint. In
these rooms, professional painters use gloss and satin paints on walls to
ensure the paint lasts. Kitchens and bathrooms will probably need a fresh coat
of paint every three to four years.
Paint in adult bedrooms can last anywhere from five to 10 years
because these spaces
are generally used less frequently, though you may want to switch up the paint
more often as a style choice.
Kids’ bedrooms are an entirely different story because
children use their bedrooms as a place to both sleep and play. Leave some
markers or crayons in your kid’s room, and you might find yourself repainting a
lot.
Professional painters generally use an eggshell or satin
paint for children’s rooms so the walls can endure being scrubbed down multiple
times. The paint will probably need to be reapplied every two to three years
to keep the room looking fresh.
Everyone who enters your home will walk through one or more
of your hallways, leaving marks and dirt along the way. Over the course of a
few years, your hallways will see more dents, scuff marks and wear than you
thought were possible. Call in your professional painters to paint these spaces
every two to three years.
Though professional painters make recommendations, there’s
no set rule that says you must repaint your walls after a certain amount of
time. The frequency solely depends on you and your family.
As time goes on, your style may change, and you may want to
repaint the walls to go with your new furniture and accent pieces. Or, you
might need to paint after a child draws on the walls or your spouse leaves
scuff marks while moving furniture. Whatever the reason, the decision to paint
is all yours.
