How Long Will Wallpaper Last Compared to Interior Paint?

When deciding how to decorate your home and finish your walls, you might find yourself faced with a tough choice between wallpaper and interior paint. While both can offer beautiful results, the longevity of each option will play a huge part in helping you pick which is the better investment for your space. Here’s what you need to know.

How Long Can Wallpaper Last?

Wallpaper is known for its longevity; high-quality wallpaper, when installed correctly, can last 10 to 15 years or more. In fact, it’s not uncommon for well-maintained wallpaper to last up to two decades in some cases—and admittedly, some homeowners leave it up even longer than this, because it seemingly continues to look fine. It’s particularly resistant to everyday wear, is washable or scrubbable, and modern wallpaper comes in a variety of textures and designs, allowing you to achieve looks that might not be easy with interior paint. It is worth noting that installing (and removing) wallpaper can be quite labor-intensive upfront, as well as potentially more costly.

What Is the Normal Lifespan of Interior Paint?

Paint is a very popular choice for good reason; it’s affordable, relatively easy to apply, and offers nearly endless color options. But when it comes to durability, its lifespan tends to be slightly shorter than that of wallpaper. Most painted walls need to be refreshed every 5 to 10 years, in order for the paint to retain all of its protective and aesthetic qualities. This lifespan also depends on factors like the quality of the paint used, the color (darker hues often show wear sooner), and the conditions of the room. For instance, rooms like bathrooms and kitchens may require more frequent repainting due to moisture or mildew buildup, while rooms that see less use, like guestrooms, can usually go for a while without being repainted.

Which Is Best for My Home?

If you’re looking for something with long-lasting visual impact and durability, wallpaper might be a better choice. On the other hand, if flexibility, affordability, and ease of updating are your top priorities, painting may be the way to go. Both of these options can be made to last for several years, but each requires different forms of maintenance to stay in peak condition.

At the end of the day, both options have their place in home design, and there truly is no right or wrong choice as long as you’re happy with the outcome. And if the project seems like a large undertaking and you’d rather have a team of professionals handle the job, you’re guaranteeing impressive results.

About Platinum Painting

Here at Platinum Painting, we’ve helped countless homeowners across the DFW metroplex over the last 15 years, offering assistance with a wide variety of interior and exterior painting projects, as well as services including wallpaper removal. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up a FREE in-home estimate, please reach out online or by phone today for more information.    

Tarrant County Telephone: (817) 697-2726.

Dallas/Denton/Collin County Telephone: (817) 993-4095.