Painting kitchen cabinets costs $2,000 to $6,500 for an average kitchen in 2026, by national published figures. Painting changes the look of a kitchen for far less than new cabinets, if the boxes are sound and the prep is done properly.
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 move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?
Nationally, it costs $2,000 to $6,500 to paint the cabinets in an average kitchen. HomeGuide also publishes $30 to $70 per linear foot, and $40 to $100 per linear foot when they are spray painted.
| 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 or more) | $5,000 to $10,000 |
Most of that is labor. The published split is $1,600 to $5,500 for labor and $400 to $1,000 for materials and paint.
How much does it cost for 20 or 30 cabinet doors and drawers?
HomeGuide publishes $70 to $125 per door and $30 to $110 per drawer front. So 20 doors come to $1,400 to $2,500, and 30 doors come to $2,100 to $3,750. Ten drawers add $300 to $1,100.
That is arithmetic on national per-piece figures, not our quote. The cabinet boxes, end panels and any crown or trim are part of the job too, so count everything before you compare prices.
Is it cheaper to paint, reface or replace cabinets?
Painting is the cheapest of the three. By the national figures, painting costs $2,000 to $6,500, refacing costs $5,000 to $13,000 and full replacement costs $4,500 to $15,000.
| Option | National range |
|---|---|
| Painting | $2,000 to $6,500 |
| Refinishing | $1,500 to $4,500 |
| Replacing the doors only | $2,200 to $6,600 |
| Refacing | $5,000 to $13,000 |
| Full replacement | $4,500 to $15,000 |
Refacing keeps the boxes and puts new doors and a new skin on the frames. Replacing is the only choice that changes the layout.
Painting or refinishing cabinets: what is the difference in cost?
Refinishing costs $1,500 to $4,500 for an average kitchen and painting costs $2,000 to $6,500, by the national figures. Refinishing means stripping or sanding and then staining or clear coating, so the wood grain still shows. Painting covers the grain with a solid color.
Refinishing only works on real wood in good shape. Painting works on wood and on some other surfaces with the right primer.
Are 1990s oak cabinets worth painting, and can oak go white?
Yes, solid oak cabinets are usually worth painting, and oak can go white. Oak boxes and doors are strong and take paint well.
Oak has open grain. Painted white, that grain will still show as fine lines unless it is filled first. Some people like the texture. If you want a flat, smooth door, ask for grain filling, and expect more labor. Oak also needs a stain-blocking primer so tannin does not yellow the white.
Can you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets?
Laminate can be painted if it is firmly stuck down, and it needs a bonding primer made for slick surfaces. Thermofoil is riskier. It is a thin vinyl skin, and if it is peeling or lifting at the edges, paint will not fix it.
Kitchens near the stove or dishwasher often have thermofoil that has let go from heat and steam. In that case new doors are the better answer. We check every door before we quote.
Should cabinets be sprayed or brushed, and are doors sprayed off site?
Spraying gives cabinets the smoothest finish, and brushing and rolling suit the boxes and frames that stay in the kitchen. Many painters spray the doors and drawer fronts away from the kitchen, in a shop or a masked-off area, and finish the frames in place.
Ask any painter where the doors will be sprayed and how the kitchen will be protected. Ask us how we would handle yours, because it depends on the space.
Can cabinets be painted without removing the doors?
They can, but the result is worse. With the doors off, the hinges, edges and frames get full coverage, and the doors can lie flat so paint levels without runs.
Painting with the doors on leaves bare lines at the hinges and builds paint where the door meets the frame, which then sticks and chips. Doors removed and numbered is the normal professional method.
How long does cabinet painting take, and can I use my kitchen?
Cabinet painting takes 3 to 5 days, by HomeGuide's figure, and you can use your kitchen in a limited way during that time. The counters, sink and appliances are usually reachable in the evening. The cabinets have no doors for a few days.
In Miami's humidity, paint dries more slowly unless the air conditioning runs. Keep it on during the job.
Will painted cabinets chip or peel?
Painted cabinets can chip where they take knocks, but they should not peel if the prep was right. Peeling comes from paint over grease, gloss or the wrong primer.
The steps that prevent it are cleaning and degreasing, sanding, a bonding primer and a hard enamel finish. Edges near the trash pull-out and the dishwasher take the most wear. Small chips can be touched up.
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 in controlled conditions and is generally harder than any paint applied in a home.
A good site-applied enamel still holds up well to normal kitchen use. Gentle cleaning helps, and so does fixing chips before water gets under the film.
What kind of paint do pros use on cabinets for a smooth finish?
Professionals use a cabinet or trim enamel that levels as it dries, so brush marks flow out and the cabinet surface comes out smooth. Wall paint is too soft for cabinets.
The usual types are waterborne enamels and hybrid enamels that clean up with water and cure hard. We do not push one brand. Ask any painter for the product name in writing, so you can read its data sheet.
I painted my cabinets myself and they look bad. Can a pro fix them?
Yes, in most cases. If the paint is stuck well but shows brush marks or drips, it can be sanded flat and recoated. If it scratches off with a fingernail, it has to come off before anything new goes on, and that is more work than painting bare doors.
Send us photos or ask for a visit. We will tell you plainly whether sanding is enough.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (786) 745-7109.