Can I Just Prime and Paint Over Chipping Drywall Instead of Replacing It?

In my opinion, the tile should have gone much higher, ideally to the ceiling or at least past the showerhead. But if you're not fixing the tile, focus on repairing the drywall first. Just remember to scrape away the loose paint and patch any cracks before priming and painting. Using a shinier paint will help it hold up better in a bathroom since it's a wet area!

You definitely don't have to replace the drywall if you're up for a bit of work! Just start by scraping off any loose paint and removing the damaged drywall paper. You can do this by scoring around the edges and peeling it off. Once you’ve done that, give it a light sanding. Make sure to prime it with a non-water-based primer, and after that dries, you can apply some joint compound. Once the mud dries, sand it again, then prime it once more before finally painting over it with a shinier finish like semi-gloss or gloss. It'll look good as new!