How Often Should You Repaint? The Complete Home Repainting Schedule

Knowing when to repaint - before you have to - saves money, protects your home, and keeps it looking its best. Here's the honest repainting schedule for every surface in your home.

Exterior Paint: Every 10-15 Years

Quality exterior paint (Sherwin-Williams Duration, Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior) lasts 10-15 years with proper prep. Signs you need exterior painting sooner: peeling or flaking paint, chalking surface (white powder on your hand when you touch it), fading color, visible cracks in caulk lines, or wood that feels soft when you press it. Never wait until your siding is bare - exposed wood rots fast.

Interior Walls: Every 5-10 Years

Interior paint in low-traffic rooms can last 10+ years. High-traffic areas - hallways, family rooms, kids' rooms - may need repainting every 5-7 years. Pro tip: touch-up paint only works for the first few years. After that, paint oxidizes and color-matched touch-ups are visible. A fresh coat is always better than patches.

Kitchen and Bathroom: Every 3-5 Years

Kitchens and bathrooms face moisture, grease, steam, and heavy cleaning. Even quality paint degrades faster in these environments. Using mold-resistant, scrubbable paint extends the interval - but plan to repaint these rooms more often than others.

Trim and Doors: Every 5-7 Years

Trim shows wear at door edges, baseboards, and window sills first. When trim paint starts to yellow (especially white trim near windows) or chip at edges, it's time. High-quality enamel on trim lasts significantly longer than standard paint.

Ceilings: Every 10-15 Years

Ceilings last the longest because they're rarely touched. Repaint ceilings when you see water stains (fix the leak first!), yellowing near cooking areas, or when you're doing a full room refresh.