Painting kitchen cabinets costs $2,000 to $6,500 for an average kitchen in 2026, by national published figures. It changes the look of a kitchen for much less than new cabinets, as long as the boxes and doors are sound.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Local labor, the paint you choose and the condition of your own walls move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?
Nationally the cost to paint kitchen cabinets is $2,000 to $6,500 for an average kitchen, or $30 to $70 per linear foot. Spray painting is listed at $40 to $100 per linear foot.
| Kitchen size | National range |
|---|---|
| Small (70 to 100 sq ft) | $1,000 to $3,500 |
| Average (100 to 200 sq ft) | $2,000 to $6,500 |
| Large (200+ sq ft) | $5,000 to $10,000 |
How much does it cost for 20 or 30 cabinet doors and drawers?
By the national figure of $70 to $125 per door, 20 cabinet doors come to $1,400 to $2,500 and 30 cabinet doors come to $2,100 to $3,750. Drawer fronts are listed at $30 to $110 each, so 10 drawers add $300 to $1,100.
That is arithmetic on published per-unit prices, not our quote. The frames, end panels and any island are part of the job too, and the published per-door price does not say whether they are included. We count every piece and give one written price.
Is it cheaper to paint, reface or replace cabinets?
Painting is the cheapest of the three. Refacing means new doors and a new skin on the frames. Replacing means new boxes as well.
| Option | National range |
|---|---|
| Painting | $2,000 to $6,500 |
| Refinishing | $1,500 to $4,500 |
| Refacing | $5,000 to $13,000 |
| Replacing doors only | $2,200 to $6,600 |
| Full replacement | $4,500 to $15,000 |
Painting or refinishing cabinets: what is the difference in cost?
Refinishing costs a little less on paper: $1,500 to $4,500 against $2,000 to $6,500 for painting, by the national figures. Refinishing usually means stripping or sanding and applying a new stain and clear coat, so the wood grain still shows. Painting covers the grain with a solid color.
Refinishing only works if the wood under the old finish looks good. Painting hides mismatched or worn wood.
Are 1990s oak cabinets worth painting, and can oak go white?
Yes. Solid oak cabinets from the 1980s and 1990s are well built and worth painting, and they can go white. Many kitchens in Bethel Park, McCandless and Upper St. Clair still have them.
Oak has deep open grain. With normal priming and painting the grain still shows through as texture. If you want a flat, smooth look, the grain has to be filled first, which adds labor. Oak also needs a stain-blocking primer so tannin from the wood does not yellow a white finish.
Can you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets?
Laminate can be painted if it is firmly bonded and a bonding primer is used. Thermofoil is harder. It is a thin vinyl skin over fiberboard, and where it is peeling or bubbling, paint will not fix it.
We check the doors first. If the skin is lifting, new doors or refacing is the better answer, and we will say so.
Is it better to spray or brush cabinets, and are doors sprayed off site?
Spraying gives the smoothest finish on cabinet doors. Brushing and rolling with the right paint can also look very good, mostly on frames that stay in the kitchen.
A common method is to remove the doors and drawer fronts, spray them flat in a shop or a set-up area, and finish the frames in place. Ask any painter where the doors will be sprayed and how they will be labeled and protected on the way back. Ask us how we would handle your kitchen.
Can cabinets be painted without removing the doors?
They can, but the result is not as good. Painting without removing the doors leaves hinge edges unpainted, risks runs, and makes it hard to coat both sides evenly.
With the doors off and laid flat, each one is cleaned, sanded, primed and painted on both faces and all edges. That is the method we recommend.
How long does cabinet painting take, and can I use the kitchen?
Cabinet painting takes 3 to 5 days for most kitchens, by the national figure. You can usually use your kitchen in a limited way during that time: the sink, the appliances and the counters between working hours.
The doors and drawers are away or drying, so shelves are open. Plan simple meals. Fresh cabinet paint is dry to the touch in hours but stays soft for days, so handle the doors gently at first.
Will painted cabinets chip or peel?
Painted cabinets can chip if they are hit hard, and they peel when prep is skipped. Good prep is what prevents both: degreasing, sanding, a bonding primer and a hard enamel finish.
Kitchen grease is the main enemy. Paint will not stick to it. Edges near the sink, the trash pull-out and the dishwasher see the most wear. Small chips can be touched up.
How long does cabinet paint last, compared with a factory finish?
Cabinet paint lasts 8 to 15 years, by the national published figure. A factory finish is sprayed and cured under controlled conditions and is usually harder than any finish applied in a home.
A sprayed cabinet enamel comes close in look. How long it stays good depends on prep, the product and how the kitchen is used. We do not promise a number of years.
What kind of paint do pros use on cabinets for a smooth finish?
Pros use a cabinet-grade enamel, often a waterborne alkyd or urethane-modified acrylic, over a bonding or stain-blocking primer. These level out as they dry, which removes most brush marks on cabinet doors, and they cure harder than wall paint.
Wall paint is the wrong product for cabinets. It stays soft and sticks to itself where doors meet frames.
I painted my cabinets myself and they look bad. Can a pro fix them?
Yes, in most cases. If you painted your cabinets yourself and see brush marks, drips, peeling or a sticky feel, the fix is to sand back the bad coating, prime correctly and repaint.
If the paint is peeling in sheets, it did not bond, and it has to come off before anything new goes on. That is more work than painting bare cabinets, so the price can be higher. Send us photos and we will tell you what it needs.
A free estimate and a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (412) 668-1875.