How Much Does It Cost To Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

Average Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

The average cost to paint kitchen cabinets ranges from $900 to $3,800. Professional painters charge $3 to $10 per square foot of painting surface area or $50 to $100 per door. Costs depend on the cabinet layout and size, the painting method, the condition of the cabinets, and labor costs.

Professionals charge on a per cabinet door, square foot, or linear foot basis. Cabinets in rough shape that require more prep work, primer, and additional coats of paint will cost more. Cabinets above 8 feet tall may incur additional fees.

Benefits of Painting Cabinets

Painting can be an excellent option for cabinets that show some wear or a kitchen that needs an updated look.

• Gives your kitchen a whole new look and feel at an affordable cost.
• Way less expensive than refacing or replacing your cabinets.
• Quality paint provides a look that lasts as long as new cabinets.
• Improves your home's value.
• The project can be completed in under a week.

Table of Contents

1. Average Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets
2. Professional Kitchen Cabinet Painting Cost
• Cost Per Door
• Cost Per Square Foot
3. Cost to Repaint Kitchen Cabinets
• Strip, Sand, and Paint
• Painting Cabinets White
• Glazing
• Bathroom Cabinets
4. Professional Spray Painting Kitchen Cabinets
• Spray or Roll Paint?
5. Cabinet Paint Cost Calculator
• How Much Paint Do I Need?
• Best Paint For Cabinets
6. DIY Cost To Paint Kitchen Cabinets
• Paint Kit
7. Frequently Asked Questions
• Is It Worth It?
• Paint vs. Reface vs. Replace
• How Do Pros Charge?
8. Hiring Kitchen Cabinet Painting Contractors
9. Cabinet Painters Near Me

Professional Kitchen Cabinet Painting Cost

The average cost to paint cabinets is $3 to $10 per square foot or $30 to $60 per linear foot for all materials and professional labor. Painting contractors typically charge $50 to $100 per door, $120 to $170 per cabinet, and $20 to $30 per drawer.

Painting contractors give estimates by measuring the square footage of the paintable surfaces, measuring the cabinets in linear feet (across the front of the cabinets), or by counting the number of cabinet doors by size (most popular).

Cost to Paint Cabinets Per Door

The average cost to paint cabinets is $50 to $100 per door or $120 to $170 per cabinet depending on the size and whether it's an upper or lower cabinet. Some cabinets have one large door or two average-sized doors that are priced similarly. Small drawers cost $25 each to paint.

Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets Per Square Foot

Professional kitchen cabinet painting costs $2.90 to $10.48 per square foot of paintable surface area or $30 to $60 per linear foot when measured the long way across the front of the cabinets.

Labor Cost To Paint Kitchen Cabinets

The average cost to hire a painter is $20 to $50 per hour or $200 to $500 per day to paint kitchen cabinets depending on the job size, the season, and the painter's experience level. Labor makes up the bulk of your expenses as materials alone are $200 to $600.

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Cost to Repaint Kitchen Cabinets

The average cost to repaint kitchen cabinets is $903 to $3,764, depending on the amount of paint stripping, sanding, and repairs needed. Cabinets with coarse grain, dings, or scratches require putty before sanding for a smoother look. If the cabinets are in good condition, they are worth prepping and repainting.

Cost To Strip, Sand, and Paint Kitchen Cabinets

The average cost to strip, sand, and paint kitchen cabinets is $5 to $10 per square foot. Paint stripping, sanding, and applying putty adds $2 to $3 per square foot to your final cost depending on the current condition of the cabinets and the extent of the damage.

Cost to Paint Cabinets White

The average cost to paint kitchen cabinets white is $3 to $10 per square foot or $30 to $60 per linear foot of cabinetry depending on the condition of the cabinets, the painting method, and labor costs. White kitchen cabinets with satin finishes are the most popular choice among homebuyers.

How Much Does It Cost to Glaze Cabinets?

Glazing cabinets costs $10 to $25 per square foot or between $2,000 and $5,000 for a typical 200 square foot kitchen. The glaze is a transparent or semi-transparent coating that adds depth and color to the finish and is applied after staining or painting.

Cost to Paint Bathroom Cabinets

The average cost to paint bathroom cabinets is $7 to $15 per square foot or $120 to $240 to paint an ordinary 48"-wide bathroom vanity. Prices depend on the condition of the vanity, the width, and the method of painting required.

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Professional Spray Painting Kitchen Cabinets Cost

Professional spray painting kitchen cabinets cost $35 to $95 per linear foot on average and creates a smooth finish. Spraying cabinets enables the use of high-quality lacquer paint for more durability. Also, cabinets can be sprayed in place without removing the doors, drawer faces, or hardware.

Is It Better to Spray or Roll Kitchen Cabinets?

Rolling paint on kitchen cabinets provides a thicker, more consistent layer of paint, and is often used to cover up an existing dark color. Spraying cabinets provides a smooth and even coat surface, avoids drips, and the paint easily covers narrow crevices, complex textures, and detailed woodwork.

• Professionals typically use spraying, which enables you to use higher quality lacquer paint and requires renting a spray gun machine for $40 to $100 per day.
• Rolling is ideal for small kitchens or DIY projects but has drawbacks, including the likelihood of drops, drips, and pools of paint forming on the surface.

Is It Better to Roll or Brush Paint Cabinets?

Professionals use both rolling and brushing to paint cabinet boxes. Rolling is faster and smoother looking on the doors and faces. Brushes are useful for touch-ups, corners, and nooks that a roller cannot reach, but comes with the risk of leaving visible brushstrokes to an otherwise perfectly painted surface.

If you use a brush, consider a 3 to 4-inch-wide, flat brush for cabinet surfaces and a 2 ½ to3-inch-wide, angled brush for corners, and for other more difficult areas where a roller cannot reach.

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Cabinet Paint Cost Calculator

Cabinet paint and primer costs $20 to $50 per gallon and covers 300 to 400 square feet depending on the brand. Using high-quality paint is worth it and only adds a couple of hundred dollars to your painting project.

How Much Paint Do I Need To Paint Cabinets?

An average-sized kitchen needs one to two gallons of paint and one gallon of primer to cover the cabinets with the recommended one coat of primer and two coats of paint. One gallon of paint covers 300 to 400 square feet and typically provides two coats when painting cabinets.

Best Paint For Cabinets

Consider a paint that is designed specifically for cabinets or one that creates a smooth and hard surface to withstand kitchen activity. To brands are Farrow & Ball Full-Gloss Paint, Valspar Cabinet Enamel Semigloss Latex Paint, Behr Alkyd Semigloss Enamel Paint, and Insl-X Cabinet Coat.

• Buy high-quality paint as it's more durable, resists stains, and lasts longer than cheap paint.
• Avoid 2-in-1 paint and primer products as they don't adhere well and are not thick enough.
• Stand-alone primer is essential for proper penetration and adhesion.
• When spraying cabinets, choose the higher quality lacquer paint, which is stronger, drys faster, and holds up better to cleaning products.

Your first option is oil-based or water-based paint. Oil-based paints resist staining and go on more smoothly, creating that sleek look preferred for kitchen cabinets.

For paint sheen, semigloss, gloss, or satin are recommended, while matte is usually not. Satin finishes are the most popular paint because of their stylish look, which also shows less dirt. Semi-gloss is shinier and is the second choice among homeowners. Use glossy for a super shiny look, but be aware glossy shows every bit of dust and every brushstroke.

Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors

White with a satin finish, followed by gray, are the most popular and stylish colors for painting kitchen cabinets. Factor in the natural light, space, and your personal preferences before settling on a color scheme. When picking a paint color, consider one (or two) of these modern choices.

• White – This classic kitchen color helps to keep a kitchen feeling light and open while allowing accent pieces, such as a red fridge, to stand out and bring energy to the look of the kitchen.
• White and gray – A popular combination, especially with gray on the lower cabinets and white on the upper cabinets. Gray helps to ground the space while white keeps the room looking light and open.
• Blue – Vibrant blue brings a kitchen to life, while a darker blue sets more of a luxurious tone. Consider incorporating colors and design elements from other parts of the home, especially adjacent rooms, stairwells, and halls.
• Griege – If you're unsure, "griege" is a mix of beige and gray which creates a calm and neutral effect that compliments most kitchens.

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DIY Cost To Paint Kitchen Cabinets

The DIY cost to paint kitchen cabinets is $200 to $600, which covers all your supplies and paint. The bulk of the cost when hiring a professional is labor. An average of 200 square feet takes 30 to 60 hours to thoroughly prep and apply a coat of primer and two topcoats of paint.

Repainting kitchen cabinets may seem easy, but it's a time-consuming job. When painting cabinets yourself, be sure to:

• Start by pulling out all the drawers, removing the doors, and removing the knobs, handles, and hinges.
• Tape down the area and clean the cabinets with a strong degreaser.
• Use paint stripper, hand sanding, and make repairs to finish prepping.
• Then apply a primer that seals the surface, so the paint adheres well.
• Once dry, you are ready to apply two topcoats of paint, waiting for each coat to dry.
• Now it's time to put your cabinets back together, clean up, and enjoy!

Compare this process to hiring a professional painter at $20 to $50 per hour. Professionals have access to expensive paint sprayers, which creates a smoother and more durable surface and shortens the time it takes. DIY-painted cabinets may chip, scuff, and crack sooner, so consider how important durability is when determining which way to go.

Cabinet Paint Kit

A kitchen cabinet kit costs $50 to $100 and comes with paint, instructions, brushes, a roller, and masking tape. Using a kit is a great way to start a DIY project. Alternatively, you can buy all the tools and paint separately at your local hardware or paint supply store.

What Is the Easiest Way to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

The easiest way to paint kitchen cabinets is by using a professional paint sprayer instead of rolling the paint, which costs $40 to $100 per day to rent. One shortcut is to leave the doors and hardware on, but this creates chips and cracks in the paint, causes the hinges to break, and adds unnecessary work.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take To Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

It takes about three days to paint cabinets in a small to medium-sized kitchen and three to seven days in a large kitchen. If your cabinets need to be stripped, heavily sanded or repaired, additional time may be required.

How Long Should Painted Cabinets Cure?

Freshly painted cabinets take 7 to 10 days to dry and 30 days to fully cure. Leave your cabinet doors open to allow the interior to dry and cure faster. You can start using your cabinets after they dry but avoid using any chemicals to clean them before they cure.

Is Painting Cabinets Worth It?

Painting cabinets is a great way to improve the look of a kitchen at a fraction of the cost of refinishing, resurfacing, or replacing. Painting saves money while still giving your kitchen a new life. If your cabinets are old and showing severe signs of damage, painting may not be worth it.

Is It Cheaper to Paint, Reface, or Replace Kitchen Cabinets?

Painting is the most cost-effective choice for kitchen cabinets, but your options are to refinish, reface, or replace if your current cabinets are showing severe damage or warping. Professionally painted cabinets often last as long as new cabinets, making it a long-term solution.

• Cabinet refinishing costs $1,300 to $2,800 and involves removing old paint or stain, sanding the surface, and applying new stain to the bare wood surface.
• Cabinet refacing costs $4,200 to $8,100 and uses laminate, veneers, or solid wood to give your cabinet doors a new look.
• Installing new kitchen cabinets costs $3,200 to $8,500 for mid-grade materials, and $12,500 to $18,100 for custom cabinets.

How Do Pros Charge for Painting Cabinets?

Professional painters charge on a per cabinet door, square foot, or linear foot basis depending on the cabinet design, size, and condition, and the painting method. Pros charge more for cabinets in rough shape that requires more prep work, primer, and additional coats of paint. Cabinets above 8 feet tall may incur additional costs due to difficulty.

Can I Paint Kitchen Cabinets Without Sanding?

Cabinets in good condition can be painted without sanding, although sanding is always recommended to create a better surface for the paint to adhere to. Always use a primer before painting and wait 2 hours for each coat to dry.

Should I Paint the Inside of My Kitchen Cabinet Doors?

Painting the inside of kitchen cabinet doors depends on your preference, how visible they are, and if you want to spend the extra money. Many people choose to skip this step for cabinets with solid doors that block the view of the inside.

Can You Paint Cabinets Without Removing Doors?

You can paint cabinets with or without removing the doors, although removing the doors increases overall quality. When leaving the doors on, you don't need to paint the interior of the cabinets. When spray painting, you can leave the doors on and paint the interiors working from the inside out.

How Durable Are Chalk-Painted Kitchen Cabinets?

Chalk-paint kitchen cabinets are becoming more popular due to their ease of use and lack of need for primer or sanding, but they do come with challenges.

• The chalk needs to be sealed.
• Sealants will need to be reapplied over time.
• Sealants such as wax may leave a yellow appearance.
• The chalk sometimes begins to show wear in as little as two years, in some cases.

How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Countertops?

The cost to paint kitchen countertops is $6 to $14 per square foot depending on the size of the job, condition of countertops, and the finish you choose. Combining this job with cabinet painting may save you money.

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Hiring Kitchen Cabinet Painting Contractors

Reliable contractors will offer references from past homeowners. Ask them about their experience, see how long the project took, and if there were any unexpected costs or changes.

When hiring kitchen cabinet painters, be sure to:

• Ask friends, family, and neighbors for references
• Get at least three price quotes
• Check out their portfolio or past work
• Review licensing, insurance, and qualifications
• Verify reviews on HomeGuide and Google
• Check the Better Business Bureau for their reputation.
• Don't pay cash – Figure out a reasonable payment plan upfront.
• Get a contract in writing

When you get bids, don’t automatically select the lowest bid. They may not necessarily be the right one for the job. You can save a lot of hassle by paying a little more to have the job done right the first time.

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