How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets? [2025 Data]
You can expect to pay an average of $935 to paint kitchen cabinets. The typical range is between $425 and $1,460 depending on the size, type of paint, and removal of old paint or varnish.
The size of your kitchen and the linear footage of the cabinetry are the most important cost factors to consider.
A latex-based paint is best for cabinets, as it won’t yellow as much as oil-based paint and it’s more affordable.
Consider replacing cabinet hardware for an updated look, budgeting between $100 and $1,000 for the add-on.
You can expect to pay between $30 and $60 per linear foot, not including upper cabinets.
The average cost to paint kitchen cabinets with the help of a pro is $935 or between $425 and $1,460. Painting kitchen cabinets typically costs between $3 and $10 per square foot, or between $30 and $60 per linear foot. For a 60-square foot cabinet space, it costs $180 to $600.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting Cost Factors
The cost to paint kitchen cabinets depends on several factors, including the size, location, and material of your cabinets, as well as labor costs (if you hire out for the project). Prices will also fluctuate based on the type of paint you choose.
Kitchen Size
On average, painting kitchen cabinets costs between $3 and $10 per square foot, or between $30 and $60 per linear foot. This price typically includes all the supplies, materials, and labor you'll need to get the job done.
| Kitchen Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 60 | $180–$600 |
| 80 | $240–$800 |
| 100 | $300–$1,000 |
| 150 | $450–$1,500 |
| 200 | $600–$2,000 |
| 400 | $1,200–$4,000 |
Cabinet Material
Kitchen cabinets come in a variety of materials, with some requiring a slightly different approach to achieve a smooth, uniform coat of paint. Since the cost of kitchen cabinets will vary, here’s a look at the individual costs for each type of cabinet material.
| Cabinet Material | Cost Factors |
|---|---|
| Wood | $5–$10 for sandpaper; $10–$20 for chemical paint deglosser |
| Wood Veneer | $45 per gallon for primer; $10 per 8 oz. bottle of wood glue |
| Laminate | $5–$10 for sanding; $20–$80 for laminate primer |
| Medium-Density Fiberboard | $10 for a 3½-quart bucket of drywall joint compound; $30–$60 per gallon of oil-based primer |
Type of Paint
There are many different types of paint available, with per-gallon rates ranging anywhere from $20 to $80. A gallon of paint usually costs $15 to $60 for a standard brand or $50 to $100 for a designer brand. Each gallon covers between 350 and 400 square feet. There are slight cost differences between the different types of paint per gallon:
| Type of Paint | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Latex-based paint | $20–$50 |
| Acrylic paint | $20–$50 |
| Oil-based paint | $20–$80 |
You can also choose between the different types of paint finishes, commonly known as sheens. The shinier the paint, the more you’ll typically pay. Pros usually recommend semi-gloss and high-gloss, the two highest sheens available, for kitchen cabinets, as they’re the most durable options.
Painting Method
Even when you hire an interior painting pro to paint your kitchen cabinets, you’ll still have to account for how a chosen painting method will impact the cost. You can hire a pro to paint with a brush, roller, or sprayer.
Hiring a pro to brush paint can save you money on paint costs, but you’ll probably spend more on labor since brush painting can take more time and energy. On the other hand, spray painting can save you money on labor since it takes less time. However, you’ll likely end up spending more on high-quality paint and cost for materials.
Paint Color
If you're planning to switch from a darker color to a lighter color for your kitchen cabinets, your best option is to sand or strip off the existing paint. However, if you're short on time or your cabinets are already in good condition, budgeting around $45 per gallon for a good primer is essential to ensure proper coverage.
Kitchen Layout and Cabinet Composition
Some contractors might charge a different way based on the specific sections of your cabinets. For example, you could expect to pay around $100 per cabinet door. For drawers, it might be closer to $25 per drawer. And if you're looking to paint an entire cabinet, the cost could range from $75 to $150 per cabinet.
Your unique kitchen layout can also affect how much you pay to paint your kitchen cabinets. Complex kitchen layouts with tight, hard to reach spaces can make the job more tedious, which can also raise the price.
Labor
Most professional painters will charge somewhere between $20 and $50 per hour. This will typically account for 85% of the cost to paint kitchen cabinets professionally. Keep in mind that some contractors may charge based on the square footage of the area you want to paint, while others might charge per door, drawer, or cabinet.
Prep
While you can do the following steps yourself, it can be a lot of work. If you’re willing to spend a bit more and hire a professional cabinet painter, you could save yourself some time and energy.
Stripping: Sandpaper costs $5 to $10 or a chemical stripper ranges from $7 to $50
Removing appliances, doors, and drawers: All you need is a screwdriver
Site prep: Drop cloths and cleaning agents cost under $20
Additional Cabinet Costs to Consider
Don’t exit out of your calculator app just yet. There are a few additional costs to keep in mind that you may need to factor into your budget.
Repairs
While you’re refreshing the look of your kitchen cabinets, you’ll also want to budget for the cost of repairing the cabinets if needed, which usually falls between $140 and $500. This will cover basic repairs such as broken hardware, loose hinges, scratches, and peeling paint.
Hardware
The cost to install new cabinet hardware is typically less than $100, but costs can go as high as $1,000 or more for designer or antique varieties. If your hardware is in good shape, this isn’t a necessary cost. However, selecting new cabinet hardware can modernize your cabinets and beautifully complement your new paint color, so it may be worth the extra investment if you’re going for a brand-new look.
Tipping
Tipping your contractors isn’t necessary, but it can still be a kind gesture if you feel inclined to do it. Some contracting companies don’t allow employees to accept tips, so be sure to ask before you give. Alternatively, you can buy your pros coffee or lunch, leave them a positive review, or refer friends and family to show your appreciation.
Repainting vs. Refacing Kitchen Cabinets
The right kitchen cabinet color can totally transform the look of your kitchen, but if the bare bones are damaged or not to your current taste, you may want to consider refacing your cabinets or replacing them altogether.
Refacing your cabinets costs between $4,300 and $10,100 on average. This involves swapping out the door and drawer fronts and selecting new hardware for a total cabinet makeover. Compared to the average cost to paint kitchen cabinets, this is a significant investment, but the results you’ll achieve will make it look like a complete remodel.
Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets Yourself
If you paint your own cabinets, you can expect to spend $200 to $600 on paint and supplies such as brushes, rollers, and drop cloths. A good portion of this will go toward covering an orbital sander for anywhere between $40 and $150. If you already have one of these handy, or if you don’t need to remove any old paint, then you’ll be able to keep your total DIY budget on the lower end. Another key factor that impacts your budget will be the type and quality of the paint you buy and how many cabinets you need to paint.
Hiring a local interior painter typically costs $899 for the average kitchen size (around 150 square feet). If you have the budget for it, hiring a pro can be well worth it for a pristine finish that you don’t have to lift a finger to achieve.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If you opt to paint your kitchen cabinets DIY-style, you can save a good amount of money, but it requires skill, time, and patience to achieve smooth, even coverage. Removing your cabinet doors can also get tricky, as you risk damaging the hardware and hinges. What’s more, removing varnish and other finishes can be challenging and labor intensive, plus you could potentially damage the surface in the process.
If you don’t know how to paint kitchen cabinets and aren’t ready to learn a new skill just yet, consider hiring a pro for this project to guarantee beautiful results.
How to Save Money While Painting Kitchen Cabinets
To keep your kitchen cabinet painting project wallet-friendly, DIYing will be your best bet. Aside from that, you can select budget options for paint and hardware. If you’re hiring a local cabinet painter, be sure to ask a lot of questions and get multiple quotes to find the best partner for your project.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 10,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to painting kitchen cabinets, most professionals tend to use latex paint. However, acrylic paint is also a great option, especially if you're working with wood. Along with the paint type, you'll also want to think about the finish. For kitchen cabinets, the best paint finishes are usually semi-gloss or high-gloss. These finishes are incredibly durable, which is important in high-traffic areas like kitchens. Matte finishes, on the other hand, are less durable.
Most cabinets need two to three coats of paint, though the exact number depends on several factors. Use one or two coats of primer and one to three coats of paint. Thick, high-quality paint requires fewer coats, as does paint applied over existing paint that's in good condition. However, if painting a lighter color over an existing dark color, you'll need more coats.
To achieve a smooth, even finish that’s free of brush strokes, spray painting is the way to go. However, it tends to use up more paint due to overspray and can have a learning curve before you perfect your technique. This isn’t to say that a brush or roller isn’t also an excellent tool, so you should test out each technique on a piece of cardboard or spare piece of wood beforehand to see which one gives you your desired look.
Painting the kitchen cabinets, whether done by a professional or as a DIY, can add value to your home. A fresh coat of paint is especially effective when adding new hardware to upgrade your cabinets’ look without the expense of replacing them entirely.
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