How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

Your kitchen cabinets are functional tools. They are where you store all of your food, dishes, and cooking utensils. They are where you prepare your meals. They are also the largest component in your kitchen and how they look sets the tone for how the entire kitchen looks.

Painting kitchen cabinets is the fastest and least expensive method of creating cabinetry that looks great. There are a lot of people who would love to repaint their kitchen cabinets, but, they are not certain about how much it would cost them to undertake this remodeling venture.

We talked to a lot of remodeling and home interior experts to try and discern what the average cost of painting kitchen cabinets is. We also talked to professional interior painters and tried to uncover any tips or secrets that could help keep the cost of doing this project at its lowest.

Professional Kitchen Cabinet Painting Options

You always have the option of hiring a professional to do your cabinet restoration project for you. There are a lot of benefits to be had from hiring a professional.

Benefits of Hiring a Pro Painter

• You are more likely to get a flawless finish
• You do not have to buy any equipment to do the work with
• You do not have to make time in your busy schedule to do the work
• The professionals know what paints and substances work best so they can advise you on material choices
• Your professional painters generally clean up when they are finished so you do not have to
• There is less chance that any paint is going to get on any surface you do not want it to get on because the pros know how to prepare and protect the area
• The professionals will normally go shop for all of the paint and supplies so you do not have to go to paint supply stores and deal with selection, waiting to be helped, and such.

Benefits of DIY Kitchen Cabinet Painting

• You do not have to pay the high labor rates of the pro
• If you change your mind on the color after you start it is easy to go buy more paint if you are not committed.
• You can achieve finished results that look as good as the ones the professionals create if you use the right tools and methods, and take the time to properly do the job.
• You will have a sense of pride in the cabinets after you invest the effort and time into doing the work for yourself

Kitchen Cabinet Cost Estimation

Labor Costs to Hire a Professional

What Things Influence the Kitchen Painting Cost?

The major consideration that professionals have when they bid on a kitchen cabinet painting job is cabinetry. Each set of cabinets is different, there are varying amounts of counter space, doors, hinges, drawers, and such.

Your professional interior painters cannot accurately bid to paint your cabinetry without seeing the cabinets.

Special considerations that may increase the cost of painting your home kitchen are:

• Surface conditions that increase the preparation work like damaged wood, peeling paint, and hinges that have torn loose.
• Cabinets that are taller than the typical 8’ height 
• Dark-colored cabinets that are going to require more primer or paint
• Intricate and extensive hardware
• Extra drawers
• The paint finish you want to use

Cabinet Size Considerations

The size of your kitchen and the amount of cabinetry in the kitchen will determine the end cost of painting. You can make a guess at how much the cabinet painting will cost by considering the size of the room and assuming that the cabinets in the room are typical cabinets without a lot of extra doors, drawers, height or features.

DIY Kitchen Cabinet Painting Cost Estimates

Using Primer

You have to use a primer if you want your paint to look the best it can. Reasons to use primer include:

• Primer is capable of creating a smoother surface by filling in minor imperfections.
• This substance creates a protective barrier that stops mold and mildew formation and stops the wood beneath the primer from being damaged by exposure to the high humidity levels found in a kitchen atmosphere
• Primer hides stains that are on the surface you want to paint
• Primer creates a uniform color so the paint you choose will be true to the color you chose. If you paint over old colors the new color will be different than what you selected
• Primer makes the paint adhere better so it makes your paint job last longer
• Primer makes you use fewer coats of paint so it saves you money on materials. Primer costs less than paint.

Choosing Your Paint by Base

There are oil-based paints and there are paints that are made with a water base. Many people assume that oil-based paints are only used for exterior projects. They also assume that the difference between the two paint types is just a matter of being able to clean up after the job using soap and water or mineral spirits.

There are actually differences between the two types of paints and the finish you get when you use them. The two different paint types also influence the price of the job.

Oil-based Paints

Benefits

• You can apply these substances with a roller and brush or they can be sprayed
• The finish is more durable than a water-based paint can provide. You can wipe it more and clean it so this is very important on kitchen cabinets.
• Resists chipping and scratching so the finish looks great much longer
• It can protect the wood beneath the paint from some stains
• A clear coat or sealer is not necessary when you use an oil-base
• Is offered in many styles such as semi-gloss, flat, satin, gloss, eggshell, and more

Drawbacks

• Oil-based paints cost more
• You are going to have to use an oil-based primer before painting
• Cleaning up your tools is harder because you need to use mineral spirits or turpentine instead of just soap and water
• Over time oil-based paints take on a yellow hue
• Oil-based paints dry slower than water-based paints. The drying time on cabinets can take multiple days when you choose this base
• The cleaning materials often cost so much that it is more financially efficient to discard roller covers than to clean them
• Oil-based paints will lose their sheen over time

Water-Based Paints

Benefits

• You can apply it with a roller and brush or you can use paint spraying equipment
• Clean-up is very simple
• You do not have to spend extra money on turpentine or mineral spirits
• You can create a flawless finish
• It does not yellow as it ages. If you get a chip or scratch you can repair it with touch-up paint and the new paint will match the old paint.
• It cost less than the oil-based paints
• Dries faster
• Is offered in many styles such as semi-gloss, flat, satin, gloss, eggshell, and more

Drawbacks

• Water-based paints are not as durable 
• The finish will easily chip or be damaged if you do not put a protective coating over them
• Water=based paints do not protect the surface, as well as oil-based substances, do
• You may have to add a paint conditioner to make the paint finish look the way you want it to

Kitchen Cabinet Paint Cost

What Affects Paint Cost?

When you go to choose some paint, there are so many different prices available and it is really hard to discern if the higher-cost substance is the better one or if the price is just inflated by nothing more than a brand name.

The cost of paint is greatly affected by the following:

• The base of the paint (oil-base may cost as much as 40% more than water-base)
• The brand
• The store you buy the paint in
• The city or location you shop in. (in smaller towns materials are often higher priced because there are fewer opportunities to sell the item. This small-town pricing can be avoided by driving to a larger city or ordering the product online. Of course, you should support small town businesses because if you do not shop in them one day they will close and you will not have the opportunity to shop in them.

Other DIY Considerations

If you think you want to paint your own cabinets you need to consider that there is a few things other than the paint that you are going to need. Such as:

• Painting equipment (rollers, brushes, paint trays, spray guns, air compressors and more)
• Wood putty to repair holes or damages
• Putty knife to apply putty
• Mineral spirits or turpentine if you use oil-based ingredients
• Brushes
• Cleaning cloths
• An empty bucket to mix paint in
• Drop cloths
• Painters’ tape
• Roller covers if you use a roller
• Spray tips if you use spray equipment
• Face coverings including masks and eye protection

Consider When Shopping for Bargain Paints

It is normal to want to buy the least expensive paint so you can save money on your project. The thing to do is know how to compare paints so you get a cheaper cost without giving up quality.

• Square foot coverage is a primary consideration. Often you will find a paint that appears to be a lot cheaper, and then you discover that the more expensive paint covered a lot more square footage than the cheaper substance so you had to buy more of the cheaper and you wound up not saving money.
• Finishes in cheaper paints may not be the same as the ones in higher-priced brands. Many cheap paints offer a flat and possibly a satin finish but in higher-priced paints you will find semi-gloss, eggshell, flat, high-gloss, matte, and more.
• How many coats of the cheaper paint will it take to cover your area? If the paint is thinner, it may take more coats to achieve the look you desire and that means you will have to buy additional paint which will keep the savings to a minimum.
• Can the paint be applied in the application method you have chosen? Some paints cannot be sprayed on and some do not do well if you use a roller or brush method.

Choose Your Kitchen Cabinet Paints by Finishing

Paint comes in different finishes. You have heard of semi-gloss and matte paints, but does one paint finish perform better than the other finishes on cabinets?

High-Gloss Finish

This type of paint is very shiny. This is a smooth substance that does well on cabinets because when it is dry it creates a surface that wipes off easily. The problems with this paint are found in the fact that it does little to hide imperfections. High-gloss paint will make every bump and imperfection appear more noticeable. You will also find that the high gloss does not last as long as some of the other finishes. Most frequently chosen for trim.

Semi-Gloss Finish

This paint gives you an impressive shine yet it is a lot more durable than the high-gloss alternative. Unlike high-gloss, the semi-gloss makes imperfections on the surface less noticeable. It is also going to leave a finish that can be washed easily so it is great for kitchens and bathroom surfaces.

Eggshell Paint on Kitchen Cabinets

Eggshell has no shine or luster. It is often chosen by people who do not want the shine but still want to be able to wash the painted surface. It does an excellent job of hiding imperfections but it is not very durable. It scuffs and chips very easily. Most people do not choose eggshells for the cabinet paint.

Satin Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Satin can and does create a smooth finish. It has a little more sheen than eggshells do but it is not shiny like semi-gloss or high-gloss. This paint is often used in kitchens and bathrooms because it is clean and durable. It resists scuffing more than eggshell, and it creates a very pleasing finish.

Flat Paint Finish

This is the least washable paint. It is not a good choice if you are painting cabinets or walls that will need to be cleaned. If you do use a flat paint finish you will have to cover it with a clear coat to make it durable. On the other hand, flat paint creates a rich appearance that is unbeatable. It is often used in entryways to create a welcoming richness of color and texture.

Matte Paint for Cabinets

Matte is not shiny and creates the rich colors and velvety smoothness you can get from flat, but matte is a little more durable and washable than flat paints are. It does fade more quickly than glossy paints, eggshells, or satin paints do.

Final Thoughts

The average cost of painting kitchen cabinets runs between $900 and $3800 if you hire a professional to do the work for you. If you do the work for yourself, you can reduce the cost of painting the kitchen cabinetry to about $300 to $1300. Labor is the most expensive part of hiring a professional, but the professional does all of the work and creates an impeccable finish that is hard to replicate.

If you have the time and energy painting your cabinets is a great project. If you are time-challenged or aging and lacking energy then hiring a professional is the best option for you.

No matter which method you choose painting your kitchen cabinetry will refresh your room, increase your home value, and make the time you spend in the kitchen more pleasant.

Read More Paint Cost Related Article
1. Cost to Paint a Deck (Complete Guide)
2. Cost to Paint Vinyl Siding (Complete Guide)
3. Cost to Paint a Fence (Complete Guide)