How often should you repaint interior walls?
Quality interior paint lasts 5–10 years, but high-traffic and high-humidity rooms force the cadence shorter. Here's the room-by-room reality.
By Houex Editorial · May 23, 2026
By room
| Room | Replace cadence |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms (adult) | 7–10 years |
| Kids' rooms | 3–5 years |
| Living / dining | 5–7 years |
| Kitchen | 3–5 years |
| Bathroom (vented) | 4–6 years |
| Bathroom (unvented) | 2–3 years |
| Entryway / hallway | 3–5 years |
Plan the buy with the Paint Calculator — eggshell, two coats, 10% buffer.
FAQ
- Does flat or eggshell last longer?
- Eggshell — washability extends visible lifespan even when the paint itself is the same age.
- Can I touch-up a wall years later?
- Almost never visible-match. Touch-up reads as a halo. Plan a full wall when you start.
Tools that act on this guide
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Paint Calculator
Estimate gallons of paint needed for any room, accounting for doors, windows, coats, and coverage.
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Maintenance Scheduler
Build a 12-month home maintenance schedule in 30 seconds. Export to your calendar as .ics, save the URL to update it later.
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Renovation Budget Estimator
Per-sqft baselines for common room remodels, with contingency built in. Get a realistic range before you call contractors.
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