Professional cost to paint kitchen cabinets is $14 per square foot on average, or around $3,000 for a medium-large kitchen.
Overview of Painting Kitchen Cabinets
Painting kitchen cabinets is one of the biggest trends in home remodeling because it’s a great way to transform your kitchen creating a new, fresh look but without the high cost of a full remodel.
Depending on the size, prep work required, and complexity of your kitchen, painting your cabinets can cost anywhere from $1,000 for a small kitchen, to over $9,000 for a large complicated or highly detailed kitchen.
Costs to Paint Kitchen Cabinets | ||
| By Square Foot | Overall | |
| Spray Paint | $4 – $15 | |
| Brush | $10 – $20 | |
| Paint plus Glazing | $12 – $30 | |
| By Linear Foot | Upper Cabinets | Lower cabinets |
| Spray Paint | $25 – $55 | $40 – $90 |
| Brush | $50 – $100 | $65 – $200 |
| By the Piece | Cost Range | |
| Door | $75 – $200 | |
| Drawer Face | $25 – $100 | |
| Cabinet and Frame | $50 – $200 | |
| By Kitchen Size | Cost Range | |
Small – Under 20 doors and drawers | $1,000 – $2,500 | |
Medium – 20 to 40 doors and drawers | $2,500 – $5,000 | |
Large – Over 40 doors and drawers | $4,000 and Up | |
| For Labor Only | Cost Range | |
| By the Square Foot | $5 – $15 | |
| By the Hour | $25 – $80 | |
| By the Day | $150 – $600 | |
Note: Add 10 to 20% for highly detailed cabinetry | ||
Reasons to Paint Kitchen Cabinets
Painting cabinets with quality paint and good skills can make them look like new and is much more cost-effective than replacing or refacing them. Painting can also increase the value of your home by up to $1,500 and provide around a 55% return on your investment.
A full kitchen remodel can take 10 weeks or more, while painting your cabinets can be done in about a week.
With the demand for painting kitchen cabinets increasing, manufacturer have developed new and better paint products specifically designed for cabinetry which adhere better, are more durable, and look more like factory finishes.
Painting your kitchen cabinets also gives you complete freedom to choose any color or colors that suit your taste.
Which Cabinets Can Be Painted, Which Cabinets Can’t Be Painted?
Can all kitchen cabinets be painted? Yes, but some take paint much better than others – results vary, in other words.
- Wood cabinets, whether unfinished, painted, or stained are perfect for painting, but any cabinet surface that can be abraded (roughed up) with sandpaper, can be painted.
- Laminate can also be painted, but you’ll need a special bonding primer made for laminate.
- MDF (medium density fiberboard), compressed, and faux wood can also be painted with the right primer and paint.
- Caution – Kitchen cabinets with a very rustic, open grain texture that includes knots and other strong wood characteristics can be a challenge to pain because the wood characteristics will show through – possibly even with multiple coats.
- Non-porous materials including glass and metal, such as stainless steel, are very difficult to paint because the paint doesn’t adhere well to these surfaces and will eventually chip off.
- Paint prep is important. Wood cabinetry with minor damage like small dents or scratches must be repaired by filling and sanding before painting or they will be highlighted by the new paint.
Cabinets that have severe damage like warping, cracks, large chips, or delamination (layers separating) should be refaced or replaced rather than painted. Extensive damage is difficult to repair and will probably be noticeable when painted.
Paint Materials, Supplies and Labor Cost Details
Let’s get into the details, so you’ll understand all there is to know about the cost of kitchen cabinet painting.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Painting Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen Size
The overall square footage of the surface to be painted including the doors – exterior and interior, drawers, and framing is the biggest factor in determining cost. The bigger the size, the more time and materials will be necessary to complete the job.
Complexity of Cabinetry
The more ornate the cabinetry, the more it will cost to prep and paint. Recessed or raised panel doors and drawers, doors with detailed trim, and doors with glass inserts and mullions will all require more labor increasing the cost.
Height
Ceiling-height cabinets, especially when ceilings are 9 or 10 feet, mean more time on a ladder, and that raises the cost.
Condition of Cabinetry
If your cabinets are in great shape, with only light sanding needed to improve paint adherence, the cost will be considerably lower than cabinets that are in poor shape. Peeling paint, dents, scratches, and heavy grease build-up, will all add to the labor to prepare the surface for painting.
Color and Finish
The existing color of the cabinetry can also play a part in the cost. If they cabinets are a very dark color, the finish may need to be stripped first, or multiple coats of primer and paint may be necessary to cover the dark color.
The type of finish you want to achieve can also affect the cost of painting. For instance, glossy paint often needs an additional coat to provide a smooth, even finish. You may want to add a topcoat of glaze to create and antique or shadow effect to highlight the cabinet details.
Using multiple paint colors, such as one color on the upper cabinets and another color on the lower cabinets will cost a bit more, so will creating a unique or distressed look.
High-quality paint can be expensive but will hold up much better with daily use than cheap paint. Hybrid paint, explained under “Types of Paint for Kitchen Cabinets”, is more costly than standard paint, but will provide a rich, durable, finish.
Talk with your painting professional to determine what will work best for your surfaces and the look you want to achieve.
Painting Method
Removing the cabinet doors and drawer faces and spray painting them is faster and will likely cost less than painting the entire surface with a roller and brush.
Of course, the face of the cabinet frames and any side panels can’t be removed so will be painted with a brush. Very detailed cabinetry with intricate panels, trim, and moldings will look best if brushed, rather than sprayed, as sprayed paint can fill the grooves and obscure the detailing.
Site Preparation
How much site preparation you need will affect the cost. The area will need to be cleared and drop cloths laid over the counter tops and floors. Appliances may need to be moved to allow the painter access to the side panels.
Removing all hardware from the doors and drawers is also part of prepping the site, and the more you have the longer it will take, increasing cost. However, removing hardware is an easy DIY task, so talk to your painter about a discount if you take it off and put it back on.
Pro tip: having your cabinets painted is a good time to update the hardware too.
Costs to Paint Kitchen Cabinets
Below are approximate costs to have your kitchen cabinets painted by a professional and include everything but the paint. We’ve provided costs in a variety of ways to help you estimate costs for your kitchen.
Cost by Square Foot
An average size kitchen has about 200 square feet of cabinetry.
- By Square Foot for paint – $4 – $5 Spray / $ 10 – $20 Brush
- By Square Foot for paint plus glaze – $ 12 – $30 (brush only)
Measuring tip: If you want to know how many square foot of cabinets you have, measure the length x width for each cabinet or block of cabinets. And then divide by 144, which is the number of inches per square foot.
A double cabinet that is 42” wide and 36” high has a total of 1,512 square inches or 10.5 square feet.
Add all your measurements together for total square feet.
Cost by Linear Foot
- Spray – $25 – $55 for upper cabinets and $40 – $90 for lower cabinets
- Brush – $50 – $100 for upper cabinets and $65 – $200 for lower cabinets
By the Piece
- Doors – $75 to $200 each
- Drawer Face – $25 to $100 each
- Frame – $100 – $200 each
Cost by Size
Small Kitchen
Less than 20 total doors and drawers – $1,000 to $2,500
Average Kitchen
20 to 40 doors and drawers – $2,500 to $5,000
Large Kitchen
Over 40 doors and drawers – $4,000 and up
Add 10-15% if you have very detailed cabinetry or if there is glass in the doors with a wood grille over it, adding care and time to the job.
Cost of Labor
If you hire a professional on a labor only basis, you can expect to pay between $5 and $15 per square foot or $25 and $80 per hour. If the painter prefers to charge by the day, you can figure between $200 and $600 per day.
Types of Paint for Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are used every day, so you need paint that is durable and can easily be cleaned without affecting the paint finish. The best type of paint finish is semi-gloss for most kitchens. A flat, matte, or eggshell finish will absorb grease and is not easy to clean. Glossy paint is also a good choice because it’s durable and easy to clean but will provide a shiny finish. Glossy paint looks best in bold colors and in very modern kitchens.
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint is a great choice for kitchen cabinets because it provides a resilient, durable finish that goes on smoothly and can be cleaned repeatedly without dulling the surface. The disadvantages of oil-based paint is that it gives off VOCs when curing and can take a long time to dry between costs, at least 16 hours with dry air and good ventilation. It may take even longer to dry in humid conditions, so it may takes a week or more, depending on the number of costs needed.
Oil-based paint can also take on a slightly yellow tint over time, so if you are using white or a very light color, you may want to choose a water-based paint.
Latex Paint (Water-Based)
The biggest benefits of latex paint is that it has relatively low VOCs and dries much quicker than oil-based paint. Today you can find latex paints that are made specifically for kitchen cabinets that provide exceptional durability and are scrubbable.
If your cabinets were previously painted and you don’t know whether oil or water-based paint was used, you must use latex paint which will bind with either paint. Oil-based paint will not adhere properly to water-based paint.
Hybrid Paint
Hybrid, also called oil-enriched or alkyd enamel, is a cross between oil-based and water-based paint. Hybrid paint has a water base but has alkyd resins, like those in oil-based paint, added.
Hybrid paint is often considered the best paint for kitchen cabinets because it provides the qualities of oil-based paint including a smooth, hard, washable surface when dry and a strong bond to the underlying material, but it does take longer to dry than water-based paint.
Glaze
Glaze is a semi-opaque coating that can be applied over the dry, newly painted kitchen cabinets, and is used to bring out details like moldings or create a shaded or antiqued effect. Adding a white glaze to darker cabinets will create a rustic look.
If you choose to glaze over your painted kitchen cabinets be sure to use the same type of paint – oil or water-based for the best results.
Can I Paint Kitchen Cabinets with Chalk Paint?
Chalk paint has become very popular lately because it usually doesn’t require primer or multiple coats. While chalk paint might be perfect for furniture, it’s not recommended for kitchen cabinets as it cannot be easily cleaned, it’s thick and tends to glob up, shows brush marks, and must be sealed or waxed after it dries.
Cost of Paint
Cost of the paint for kitchen cabinets can vary greatly with hybrid or alkyd (oil-enriched) paints at the high end of the spectrum ranging from about $60 to $125 per gallon. Standard water or oil-based paint will cost anywhere from $20 to $70 per gallon.
The better-quality paints will be more durable, hold up better in the long run, and provide a more professional appearance.
You will need to figure the square footage of your cabinets, and how many coats of paint you will need, to get a good estimate of the paint amount and cost.
Speak to a professional or knowledgeable salesperson to ensure you purchase a color and type of paint that will work with your cabinet surfaces.
Cost of Materials and Supplies
If you plan to purchase the supplies yourself, you will need the following:
- Drop clothes or Rosin paper (which can be taped to the floor and other surfaces)
- Tools to remove the cabinet door hinges and hardware
- Cabinet cleaner or degreaser to remove dirt and grease
- Wood filler and putty knife for to fill any dents or scratches
- Sandpaper and small electric sander
- Stripper if you need to remove old paint
- Primer
- Painting tools – depending on how you plan to paint the cabinets – sprayer, stir sticks, brushes, rollers, roller tray, and paint brush cleaner
- Miscellaneous – Painter’s tape, painters pyramid stands, paint remover, face mask for spraying paint
Estimate costs for these items at about $2 to $4 per square foot.
How Long Does it Take to Paint Kitchen Cabinets
If you have a professional cabinet painter do the work it will take about 5 to 10 days depending on the size of your kitchen, the number of coats needed, and whether the cabinets will be sprayed or brushed and rolled.
If you plan to DIY, it will depend on your schedule and how much time you have each day. It also depends on how much prep work is necessary, the drying time of the paint, and how experienced you are.
Is Painting Kitchen Cabinets a DIY Project?
The answer is yes if you have the time and some good painting experience. Painting kitchen cabinets can be a labor-intensive project, anywhere from 35 to over 50 hours to do the job right. If you only have 3-4 hours a day available, it could take you a couple of weeks where a professional company will use a team to get the job done much quicker.
If you DIY, you’ll need to purchase the tools and extras, while a pro will already have them.
To achieve a professional-looking job, do your research and don’t skip any of the recommended steps like proper prep of the cabinets and removing the doors. Label the doors and hardware so you’ll know where the go when you re-install them. Always use primer, and let the paint dry long enough between costs.
Return on Investment
You can expect the return on your investment for painting your kitchen cabinets to be around 55% or between $1,500 and $3,000.
Kitchen Cabinet Trends
If you plan to sell our home in the near future, maximize your investment by following some of the latest trends in kitchen colors including “tuxedo kitchens” which use a light color like white or cream on the upper cabinets and a darker color on the lower cabinets such as black or navy. Greens, teals, blues, and bold, bright colors are also popular current color trends for kitchens.
