Are you thinking about repainting rooms in your home for a fresh new look? Repainting is one of the quickest and less expensive ways of updating your home. It breathes new life into the room, whether you’re using a completely different color to change things or spin the original color. Generally, once you’ve painted the room, you want the color to last for as long as possible. While painting a room is pretty simple, many factors can affect your paint’s lifespan over time. In this blog, we’re going to break down how to make your interior paint last. Here’s what you need to know.
How long can interior paint last?
- Prep Work: Prep work for any project is essential for its overall success.
- Repair any damage the wall may have, whether it’s holes from wall mounts, random nicks that have happened over the years, etc.
- Make sure the wall is spotless from dust and debris. Even the tiny specs of duct can cause the paint to pull up over time.
- Use a high-quality primer and paint with brushes and rollers. As appealing as less expensive paints maybe, they won’t hold up, and you’ll find you’re repainting the house after 2-3 years.
- Ensure rooms that get high humidity, such as the bathroom, have paint that can hold up. Excess moisture can peel paint away quickly. There’s a good chance you’ll have to repaint that room within a year or two if the color can’t hold up.
- Wash & Dust: In high-traffic areas, dust, dirt, and debris can buildup quickly and damage the paint. Regularly, especially the kitchen and bathroom, use a microfiber cloth to clean the dust off. Use the vacuum for stubborn or hard to reach areas. For dirt and grease, use a natural sponge that’s gentle on the paint with non-abrasive soap and water. Dry as thoroughly as possible.
- Protect the Corners: The corners are the first areas to get damaged, which can chip the paint or expose the wall to dirt and debris. Adding an inexpensive corner guard can make a huge difference but won’t take away from the final design.
- Window Treatments: Sunlight can still cause damage by fading the color over the years. A window treatment prevents direct sunlight from getting in to fade your walls, furniture, artwork, and more, but it also helps cool the room down.
- Repair Damages: Touch up and repair any chip or peeling paint as soon as you can. A small piece can turn into a huge, unsightly area quickly as more and more paint lifts. Repair water leaks quickly because water will cause the paint to bubble. If you repair any holes, fill them in, sand away the chipped areas, and repaint.
