Painting kitchen cabinets costs $2,000 to $6,500 for an average kitchen in 2026, by national published figures. It is the most prep-heavy painting job in a house. The finish only lasts when the doors are cleaned, sanded, primed and coated with a paint made for cabinets.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Local labor, paint prices and the condition of your own walls or siding move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?
The national cost to paint kitchen cabinets is $2,000 to $6,500 for an average kitchen. That is $30 to $70 per linear foot, $70 to $125 per door and $30 to $110 per drawer. Spraying 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, over 200 sq ft | $5,000 to $10,000 |
How much for 20 or 30 cabinet doors and drawers?
At the published $70 to $125 per door, 20 doors come to $1,400 to $2,500 and 30 doors come to $2,100 to $3,750. Drawers are $30 to $110 each, so 10 drawer fronts add $300 to $1,100.
That is arithmetic on national per-piece figures, not our quote. The frames, end panels and any island are part of the job too.
Is it cheaper to paint, reface or replace cabinets?
Painting is the cheapest of the three. The national figures are $2,000 to $6,500 to paint, $5,000 to $13,000 to reface and $4,500 to $15,000 to replace.
Refacing puts new doors and veneer on the old boxes. Replacing gives you a new layout. Painting changes the color only, so it makes sense when the boxes are solid and the layout works.
Painting or refinishing cabinets: what is the difference in cost?
Refinishing costs a little less: $1,500 to $4,500 against $2,000 to $6,500 for painting, by the national figures. Refinishing means stripping or sanding and applying new stain and clear coat, so the wood grain still shows. Painting covers the grain with a solid color.
Are 1990s oak cabinets worth painting, and can oak go white?
Yes, oak cabinets are usually worth painting, and yes, oak can go white. Solid oak boxes from that period are sturdy. The catch is the grain. Oak has open pores that show through paint as texture unless a grain filler is used first.
White over orange oak also needs a stain-blocking primer, or tannin from the wood can yellow the finish. Decide before the job whether you want the grain to show or be filled.
Can you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets?
Laminate can be painted when it is firmly bonded, with a light sanding and a bonding primer. Thermofoil is harder. If the vinyl skin is peeling or bubbling at the edges, paint will not hold it down, and new doors are the better fix.
Spray or brush for cabinets, and are doors sprayed off site?
Sprayed cabinet doors give the smoothest finish. Many painters remove the doors and drawer fronts, spray them flat in a shop or a masked-off area, and brush, roll or spray the frames in the kitchen. Ask each painter where the doors will be sprayed and how they are labeled so they go back in the same place.
Can cabinets be painted without removing the doors?
They can, but the result is worse. With the doors off, both faces and all the edges get coated, the hinges stay clean and nothing sticks shut while it dries. Painting with doors in place leaves bare edges and paint on the hardware.
How long does cabinet painting take and can I use the kitchen?
Cabinet painting takes 3 to 5 days by the national figure. You can use your kitchen for most of it, with limits. The sink and appliances normally stay usable, but the cabinets stand open without doors and the counters are covered during work hours.
Fresh cabinet paint is dry to the touch in hours and stays soft for a while longer. Go easy on the doors for the first few weeks.
Will painted cabinets chip or peel?
Painted cabinets can chip where they take hard knocks, such as around handles and on lower drawers. They should not peel. Peeling means the surface was not cleaned of grease, not sanded or not primed.
Kitchens are humid and greasy, so degreasing comes before any sanding. Small chips can be touched up if you keep the leftover paint.
How long does cabinet paint last, compared with a factory finish?
Painted kitchen cabinets last 8 to 15 years, by HomeGuide's figure. A factory finish is sprayed and baked on under controlled conditions and is generally harder. A site-applied finish done with proper prep and a cabinet-grade paint comes close for normal family use.
What paint do pros use on cabinets for a smooth finish?
For a smooth finish on cabinets, professionals use hard-curing enamels made for trim and cabinets, such as waterborne alkyd or urethane-modified acrylic. These level out as they dry, which hides brush marks, and they cure harder than wall paint.
Ordinary wall paint stays soft and sticks to itself where doors meet frames. Ask any painter which product they plan to use and why.
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 the paint is sticky, peeling or full of brush marks, it can be sanded back or stripped, primed properly and refinished. It costs more than starting from bare factory finish, because the failed coat has to come off first.
Send photos of the doors and tell us what products went on. A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (734) 399-4198.