Owning a home means there's always something to do, and some jobs feel urgent while others quietly sit on the back burner until they're impossible to ignore. Repainting often falls into that second category, until the walls start peeling, the colour fades, and things just start looking tired. But how often should you repaint your house? Well, it depends on a few factors, but for most Australian homes, you'll need to repaint every five to ten years for the exterior and three to seven years for the interior, depending on the room and how it's used.

Repainting isn't only about keeping things looking good, though - it also helps protect your home, and in Australia where conditions range from blazing sun to salty coastal winds and tropical humidity to dry inland heat, our homes take a regular beating from the elements. Let's break down how often your should be refreshing those walls, and what affects how long your paint lasts.

Exterior Repainting

We'll start with your home's exterior, which is the first line of defence against the elements and is constantly exposed to all sorts of wear and tear. On average, most Australian homes need an exterior paint job every five to ten years, with several factors contributing toward where within that range your home falls.

Climate

First, the climate where you live plays a huge role. If you're living by the coast, for example, you might need to repaint every two to three years, as the salty air combined with moisture can cause paint to degrade much faster. On the other hand, if you're inland where things are a bit drier and you're not dealing with salt spray, your exterior paint job might last closer to the ten year mark.

Materials

The type of material your home is built from also affects how often the exterior needs repainting. For instance, timber tends to need repainting more often than brick or rendered surfaces, which hold up better over time. Then, there are the materials used for the last repainting. If your last paint job used high-quality paint and was done by professional painters who took the time to do proper prep work, the chances are it'll last longer than a quick DIY weekend project.

Interior Repainting

While the inside of your home doesn't have to put up with wind and rain, it's still going to show signs of age over time. However, how often you need to repaint indoors really depends on the room, how it's used, and who's using it.

High Traffic Areas

Busier areas like living rooms and dining rooms usually need repainting every five to seven years. These are the parts of your home where life happens, with people coming and going, furniture being moved around, and walls taking the occasional bump or knock.

Hallways and corridors are also high traffic areas to keep an eye on, as these narrow spaces see constant footfall and are prone to scuff marks, handprints, and general grime. A fresh coat of paint in these areas every two to three years is usually enough to keep them looking clean and well maintained.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms, on the other hand, are a bit more low-key, but the time between repainting varies depending on whose room it is. For example, adult bedrooms don't usually need much attention and can go seven to ten years without a repaint, especially if the paint used was good quality and the room doesn't see a lot of activity outside of sleeping. Children's rooms, on the other hand, are a different story. With little hands, sticky fingers, and the odd crayon masterpiece, you might find yourself needing to repaint every two to three years just to keep things looking clean and tidy.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

Some rooms are subject to more wear and tear than others, and kitchens and bathrooms are prime examples of this. Kitchens are often full of heat, steam, and airborne grease, all of which can make paint deteriorate faster. With this in mind, it's generally a good idea to repaint your kitchen every three to four years, especially around the cooktop and food prep areas where splashes and stains tend to build up.

Bathrooms, with their high humidity and regular exposure to moisture, can also be tough on paint. Even if you've used moisture-resistant paints, these rooms benefit from a refresh every three to four years to keep mould and mildew at bay and stop the paint from blistering or peeling.

What Affects How Long Your Paint Job Lasts?

So, that's how often you should think about repainting certain parts of your home, both inside and out. But what actually affects how long the paint job lasts? Well, there are a few things that can extend or cut short the lifespan of your paint job.

To start, the quality of the paint itself makes a massive difference. High quality paint is designed to be more durable, fade-resistant, and easier to clean, which means you won't need to repaint as often. And while these paints cost a bit more upfront, they can save you money in the long run by lasting years longer than their cheaper alternatives.

The way the paint is applied also affects its longevity. Professional painters will make sure proper cleaning, surface preparation, and priming is done before any paint is applied. Doing this means no corners are cut (which is easy to do if you're taking on repainting as a DIY project), and that peeling or cracking paint is highly unlikely to happen any time soon.

Then, there's the aftercare. This is down to you, and giving your walls a gentle clean now and then and keeping an eye out for leaks or water damage (and getting them fixed professionally as soon as possible), can help stretch out the time between repainting.

Repainting for Rentals

Repainting is one of the most important things to think about when you own a rental property, as it won't only keep your investment in good condition but will increase your chances of attracting quality tenants and justify higher rents.

Most landlords repaint every five to seven years, depending on tenant turnover and the condition of the paint. If you've had long-term tenants and the place is starting to look a little tired, a fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into the space and potentially increase the chances of your tenants staying even longer. On the flip side, if your rental has frequent tenant changeovers, you may need to repaint more regularly just to keep things looking neat and tidy between leases.

How Do You Know It's Time to Repaint?

Even with all the general guidelines, sometimes the best indicator that it's time for a new paint job is simply taking a good look around. If your exterior paint is starting to fade, peel, or crack, or if timber is becoming exposed to the elements, it's definitely time to repaint before more serious damage sets in.

Inside, you might notice discolouration, persistent stains, or marks that won't come off, no matter how hard you scrub. Or, if the colours feel dated or you're just ready for a change, those are also perfectly good reasons to invest in repainting.

Get a Free, No-Obligation Quote from DC Decorators for House Painting Across Brisbane, Gold Coast & The Sunshine Coast

If your home is looking a little worse for wear or you've spotted the early signs that it's time for a repaint, reach out to DC Decorators. With years of experience painting homes across Brisbane, The Gold Coast, and The Sunshine Coast, our team knows exactly how to deliver a long-lasting, high-quality finish. Get in touch with us today for a free, no-obligation quote and find out how we can bring new life to your home.

How Often Should You Repaint Your House?