Painting kitchen cabinets costs $2,000 to $6,500 for an average kitchen in 2026, by national published figures. It is the cheapest way to change how a kitchen looks when the cabinet boxes are sound. The result depends almost entirely on cleaning, sanding, priming and cure time.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Boston labor rates, the age of the building and the amount of prep 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 gives $30 to $70 per linear foot, $70 to $125 per door, $30 to $110 per drawer and $120 to $190 per cabinet. Spray painting is $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 and up) | $5,000 to $10,000 |
Other HomeGuide pages quote lower cabinet figures as part of a room. The numbers above are from its page on kitchen cabinets.
How much does it cost for 20 or 30 cabinet doors and drawers?
At 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 $30 to $110 each, so 10 drawers add $300 to $1,100. That is arithmetic on published national figures, not a quote. The cabinet boxes and end panels are painted too, and they are part of the per-kitchen ranges above.
Is it cheaper to paint, reface or replace cabinets?
Painting is the cheapest of the three. Refacing means new doors and drawer fronts with a veneer over the old boxes. Replacing means new cabinets.
| Option | National range |
|---|---|
| Painting | $2,000 to $6,500 |
| Refinishing | $1,500 to $4,500 |
| Replace doors only | $2,200 to $6,600 |
| Refacing | $5,000 to $13,000 |
| Full replacement | $4,500 to $15,000 |
Painting or refinishing cabinets: what is the difference?
Painting covers the wood with a solid color, and refinishing strips or sands the old finish and applies new stain and clear coat so the grain still shows. HomeGuide gives $1,500 to $4,500 for refinishing an average kitchen and $2,000 to $6,500 for painting. Refinishing only works on solid wood or wood veneer in good condition. Paint works on more surfaces and hides repairs.
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 face frames from that time are sturdy. The thing to decide is the grain. Oak has deep open pores, and paint alone will not hide them. If you want a smooth face, the grain is filled before priming, which adds labor. If you are happy to see some texture, it is skipped. White over oak also needs a stain-blocking primer so tannin does not yellow the finish.
Can you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets?
Laminate can be painted if it is firmly bonded, and thermofoil is risky. Laminate is scuffed and coated with a bonding primer so paint can grip. Thermofoil is a vinyl skin over fiberboard. Once it starts to lift near the stove or dishwasher, paint will not stop it, and new doors are the better money. We check the edges and corners before we say yes.
Do you spray or brush cabinets, and are the doors sprayed off site?
Spraying gives the smoothest finish on cabinet doors, and brushing and rolling with a fine roller is common for the boxes that stay in the kitchen. Many painters take doors and drawer fronts to a shop to spray them flat, away from dust. Others set up a spray area on site. Ask any painter which they do. Ask us how we would handle your kitchen when we come out.
Can cabinets be painted without removing the doors?
They can, but the result is worse, so we take the doors off. With the doors removed, the hinges, edges and face frames are painted cleanly, and each door can lie flat so the paint levels without runs. Doors and drawers are numbered so everything goes back in the same place.
How long does cabinet painting take and can I use the kitchen?
HomeGuide says cabinet painting takes 3 to 5 days. You can use your kitchen for most of that time, with limits. The sink, stove and fridge stay connected. The doors and drawer fronts are off, so shelves are open, and you should keep off the wet face frames. Cabinet paint feels dry in hours but takes weeks to reach full hardness, so be gentle with it at first.
Will painted cabinets chip or peel?
Well-prepared painted cabinets can chip where they are hit hard, but they should not peel. Peeling means the paint never bonded, almost always because grease was left on the surface or the primer was skipped. Chips happen at the edges of busy doors and drawers and can be touched up. Keep some of the paint for that.
How long does cabinet paint last, compared with a factory finish?
HomeGuide gives painted kitchen cabinets a life of 8 to 15 years. A factory finish is sprayed and baked in controlled conditions and is harder than paint applied in a home. A careful job with a cabinet-grade enamel comes close in look and holds up well to normal use.
What kind of paint do pros use on cabinets for a smooth finish?
Pros use a hard-drying enamel made for cabinets and trim, not wall paint. Waterborne alkyd and urethane-modified enamels level out as they dry, which is how brush marks disappear on cabinet doors. They go over a bonding or stain-blocking primer. We do not name a brand here because the right product depends on the cabinet material. Ask what will be used and why.
I painted my cabinets myself and they look bad. Can a pro fix them?
Yes, in most cases. If you painted the cabinets yourself and the paint is sticky, peeling or full of brush marks, the fix depends on whether it bonded. Paint that is stuck well can be sanded smooth and recoated. Paint that scratches off with a fingernail has to come off first, which is more work than starting from bare cabinets. We test a door before pricing.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (617) 553-6484.