How Much Does It Cost to Stain Cabinets? [2025 Data]
Staining cabinets typically costs between $1,500 and $5,000 depending primarily on the cabinet size and type of stain.
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The square footage and the existing finish are the most important cost factors to consider when budgeting for cabinet staining.
Consider the type of stain material when budgeting, ranging from water-based stain to varnish.
Staining cabinets can be expensive, but it’s usually more cost-effective to refinish them than replace them entirely.
Many homeowners replace cabinet door handles and drawer pulls when staining their cabinets, so consider budgeting for these upgrades.
The cost to stain cabinets runs between $1,500 to $5,000, or an average of $4 to $15 per square foot. If you want to completely transform your kitchen, bathroom, office, or living areas, consider refinishing and staining your cabinets. That process involves removing the old stain, sanding and repairing the cabinet surface, and applying a new stain onto the wood. This simple process can give your kitchen a brand-new look in just a weekend. Learn more about how much it costs to stain cabinets.
Cabinet Staining Cost Breakdown
Your overall costs for staining your cabinets will depend on several factors, including the size, materials, labor, prep, and decorative add-ons. Here are the costs associated with staining cabinets:
Room Size
| Room | Average Square Footage | Average Cost to Stain |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | 100–200 square feet | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Bathroom | 60 square feet | $200–$2,000 |
| Home Office | 50–150 square feet | $500–$2,000 |
| Living Room Bookcase | 40–54 square feet | $150–$1,500 |
Kitchen
You’ll pay between $1,500 and $5,000 to stain kitchen cabinets between 100 to 200 square feet in size. Kitchens are the most sought-after location for cabinet refinishing—as homeowners love the look of an upgraded kitchen. However, staining kitchen cabinets also tend to cost the most because kitchens often have a large number of cabinets.
Bathroom
You can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $2,000 to stain an average of 60 square feet of bathroom cabinetry. Bathroom cabinets are typically smaller than kitchen cabinets. However, depending on the size of your bathroom, they can still pack a punch. Since the bathroom has lots of moisture, you’ll want to ensure the stain is water-based and has a durable coating.
Home Office
You’ll pay $500 to $2,000 to stain 50 to 150 square feet of office cabinetry. Office cabinetry has become much more in demand in recent years as many more homeowners continue to work from home. For many, the home office has become a full-time workplace, so you’ll want to choose a stain color that’s timeless and elegant.
Living Room Bookcase
You can expect to pay $150 to $1,500 to stain a 40 to 50-square-foot bookcase in your living room. With many homeowners choosing custom built-in bookshelves, it’s no surprise that homeowners want to choose a stain finish that will not only last a long time but will also continue to look fresh and new for years to come.
Materials
Generally, one quart of stain will cover 125 to 150 square feet of cabinets using one coat. Here’s what you can expect to pay for different types of stains:
| Type of Stain | Average Cost per Quart |
|---|---|
| Water-Based Stain | $15–$20 |
| Oil-Based Stain | $12–$25 |
| Varnish | $20–$60 |
| Eco-Based | $25–$60 |
Water-Based Stain
You can expect to pay between $15 and $20 for a quart of water-based stain. Water-based stains are perfect for homeowners who don’t want a heavy odor during the staining process. Water-based stains also dry quickly, allowing homeowners to reinstall the cabinetry more quickly.
Oil-Based Stain
You’ll pay $12 to $25 for a quart of oil-based stain. Oil-based stains are prominently used in kitchens and bathrooms—places that collect a lot of moisture due to their high durability. Oil-based stains also tend to last longer than water-based, and they do a better job of standing up to the elements.
Varnish
You’ll pay $20 to $60 for a quart of varnish. Varnish coats the outside layer of wood with a protective barrier—hardening the wood and helping it remain vital for years. Varnish typically comes in a clear coating, making it easy to apply a coat over your wood cabinetry.
Eco-Based
You can expect to pay between $25 and $60 for a quart of eco-based stain. You’ll pay slightly more for these types of stains, but you’ll also get many benefits, including:
Zero VOCs (gas emissions)
Non-toxic
No skin irritation
No nausea
No headaches
No respiratory irritation
No polyurethane
Environmentally-friendly
High-performance
Labor
You can expect a local cabinet refinishing professional to charge between $35 and $75 per hour, with total labor costs averaging $500 to $1,000 per project. You can expect a refinishing pro to charge more when working with woods that are more challenging to sand and stain.
Labor costs typically make up 60% to 80% of your overall budget. Costs can vary slightly based on the material of your cabinets and the complexity of the desired design.
Prep
Before staining your cabinets, you’ll need to ensure that your cabinets are in good working condition. You may need to hire a cabinet repair professional near you to patch any holes and cracks in your cabinetry, as well as repair minor breakages. You can expect to pay an average price of $300 for cabinet repairs.
Decorative Add-Ons
Once your cabinets are fully stained and dry, you’ll probably want to add fresh accent pieces to your cabinetry. The cost to install cabinet hardware ranges from $100 up to $10,000, depending on the type of cabinet hardware you choose.
If lighting is your thing, you can expect to pay $230 to $300 for under-cabinet lighting. If you want to add media accessories to your cabinetry, you’ll pay between $75 and $485 to install an outlet.
Staining vs. Painting Cabinets
Staining and painting are the two most common ways to enhance the appearance of wood furniture and protect it over time. However, each method has its own aesthetic, application process, and purpose. Staining is a quicker task that highlights the wood’s natural look by soaking into the material. Painting takes longer but offers the freedom to transform furniture with any color.
Staining is cheaper than painting. Wood stain costs $20 to $90 per gallon, while paint costs $10 to $100 per gallon. Plus, paint often requires primer, sealer, and multiple coats, all of which increase the price. However, painting may be cheaper in the long run because a coat of paint lasts five to 15 years, but you must reapply stain every two or three years.
Staining Cabinets Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
Staining your cabinets yourself will save you money compared to hiring a pro, but the process is time-consuming. It will take about 30 to 50 hours for you to complete, which equals three to five full days. And not having a functional kitchen for weeks in a house full of hungry kids (and parents) may be a recipe for disaster.
That said, going the DIY route will save you money, so if budget is a concern, this is the way to go. Cabinet painting professionals near you can refinish and stain your cabinets in two to three days on average, or about 14 hours, charging between $35 and $75 per hour. That means that by putting your DIY skills to the test and staining your own cabinets, you could save somewhere between $500 and $1,000.
Staining cabinets yourself will require tools, patience, and space. You will also need a large, well-ventilated space to strip and refinish cabinet doors, like a garage or backyard.
Cost of Common Cabinet Staining Add-Ons
While you’re having your cabinetry stained, it’s also a good time to work on other projects. Here are a few ideas to add to your cabinetry staining project:
Backsplash installation: $600–$1,300
Paint the kitchen or bathroom: $967–$3,041
Replace appliances: $350–$8,000
Install new flooring: $1,500–$4,460
Tips to Reduce Cost While Staining Cabinets
Staining cabinets takes time and patience. There are ways to reduce costs, including:
Get at least three quotes from refinishing professionals in your area.
Purchase the stain yourself during a sale or at a discount.
Repair any cracks, dents, and abrasions on your cabinets before starting the project.
Prep the room by putting up plastic sheeting, cover all belongings, and remove furniture and valuables.
Remove cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware yourself.
Skip the customizations.
Clean up everything and dispose of dirt and debris after the pro leaves.
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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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.
Yes, sanding cabinets before you stain them helps the new stain better adhere to the surface. If you’re adding a darker stain to previously stained wood, you only have to sand them lightly enough to remove any finish and rough up the wood to improve adhesion. On the other hand, if you’re trying to stain wood that is a darker color or that has paint on it, you need to sand down to the original wood, or the color will show through the new stain.
Sealing a cabinet after staining is optional but recommended for best results. Wood sealer keeps out moisture, which protects against scratches, warping, chipping, discoloration, and mildew. Sealer not only preserves the appearance of wood furniture but, like staining, enhances it by accentuating the wood’s natural color and grain.
Yes, remove the old stain on a cabinet before applying a new coat. To do so, clean the cabinet’s exterior with soap, water, and a damp cloth. Then, use sandpaper or an electric sander to remove the old finish. This allows the new coat of stain to soak into the wood fully, lasting longer and creating a richer color.
Small to medium-sized cabinetry typically takes three to five days, whereas large cabinetry takes around seven days. The complete process includes:
Removing cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware.
Removing the existing stain or paint.
Sanding cabinet frames, doors, and drawers.
Staining each side of the cabinetry one at a time. You’ll have to wait for the first side to dry before staining the other side.
Waiting for the doors, drawers, and frames to dry fully.
Reattaching hardware and hinges.
Putting the doors and drawers back on the cabinet boxes.
With the proper maintenance and care, stained cabinets can last for 30 years. You’ll need to properly clean your stained cabinets with a gentle mixture of vinegar and warm water and repair minor cracks and scratches when required. As long as you commit to maintaining stained wood cabinets, you can enjoy their beauty for many years to come.
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