Painting kitchen cabinets costs $2,000 to $6,500 for an average kitchen in 2026, by national published figures. It is the most demanding paint job in a house. The finish gets touched every day, so the prep and the product matter more than anywhere else.
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 surfaces 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. HomeGuide also gives $30 to $70 per linear foot, $120 to $190 per cabinet, and $3 to $15 per square 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, over 200 sq ft | $5,000 to $10,000 |
Labor is $1,600 to $5,500 of that and materials are $400 to $1,000. Other HomeGuide pages give lower cabinet figures, such as $900 to $3,800. We use the dedicated cabinet page here because it matches the topic.
How much for 20 or 30 cabinet doors and drawers?
Per door, the national figure is $70 to $125, and per drawer front it is $30 to $110. So 20 cabinet doors come to $1,400 to $2,500 and 30 cabinet doors come to $2,100 to $3,750. Ten drawer fronts add $300 to $1,100.
That is arithmetic on published per-piece figures, not a quote. The boxes, end panels and any crown or toe kick are part of the job too. We count every piece when we measure your kitchen.
Is it cheaper to paint, reface or replace cabinets?
Painting is the cheapest of the three. By the national figures, painting is $2,000 to $6,500, refacing is $5,000 to $13,000 and full replacement is $4,500 to $15,000. Replacing only the doors is $2,200 to $6,600.
Refacing puts new doors and a new veneer on the old boxes. Replacement gives you new boxes and a new layout. Paint changes the color and nothing else, so it only makes sense when the boxes are solid and the layout works.
Painting or refinishing cabinets: what is the difference in cost?
Refinishing is listed a little lower than painting: $1,500 to $4,500 against $2,000 to $6,500, by the national figures. Refinishing means stripping or sanding the old finish and applying new stain and clear coat, so the wood grain stays visible.
Painting hides the grain under a solid color. Choose refinishing if you like the wood and it is in good shape. Choose paint if you want a color change or the wood is worn and mismatched.
Are 1990s oak cabinets worth painting, and can oak go white?
Yes, if the boxes are solid, and yes, oak can go white. Golden oak cabinets are in a great many Fargo and West Fargo homes built in the 1980s and 1990s. Most are well made and paint well.
Oak has open grain. Painted white, the grain still shows as fine lines unless it is filled first. Some people like that texture and some do not, so decide before the work starts. Oak also has tannins that can stain white paint yellow, so it needs a stain-blocking primer.
Can you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets?
Laminate can be painted if it is sound and firmly stuck down, using a bonding primer made for slick surfaces. Thermofoil is a risk. It is a thin vinyl skin, and once it starts to lift or bubble near the stove or dishwasher, paint will not hold it down.
Peeling thermofoil doors are better replaced. The boxes can then be painted to match the new doors. We check every door before we advise either way.
Spray or brush for cabinets, and are doors sprayed off site?
Spraying gives the smoothest finish on cabinet doors, and brushing and rolling suit the fixed boxes in a lived-in kitchen. A common method is to take the doors and drawer fronts away, spray them flat, and paint the boxes in place.
Whether doors are sprayed off site or in a masked-off area of the house depends on the painter and the job. Ask how it will be done and where your doors will be. Ask us and we will explain our plan for your kitchen.
Can cabinets be painted without removing the doors?
They can, but the result is worse. With the doors off, every edge and the hinge side get painted, the hardware stays clean and there are no runs at the hinges. Painting with the doors on leaves bare lines and paint on the hinges.
We take doors and drawer fronts off and label each one so it goes back in the same place.
How long does cabinet painting take and can I use the kitchen?
Cabinet painting takes 3 to 5 days by the national figure, and you can use your kitchen for most of it. The counters, sink and appliances stay in place. You lose the doors for a few days, and the area is masked while the boxes are painted.
Empty the cabinets you use least and clear the counters before we start. The finish is dry in hours but soft for the first weeks, so be gentle with it at first.
Will painted cabinets chip or peel?
Painted cabinets can chip at hard-used edges, but they should not peel. Peeling means the paint never bonded. The usual causes are grease left on the surface, no sanding and no primer.
Kitchen grease is the enemy. Every surface is degreased, sanded dull and primed before paint. Small chips near handles and the trash drawer 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 harder than any finish applied in a house. A good painted finish comes close in looks but will show wear sooner at the edges.
What kind of paint do pros use on cabinets for a smooth finish?
For a smooth finish, cabinets get a hard enamel made for trim and cabinets, not wall paint. These enamels level out as they dry, so brush marks fade, and they cure to a hard film that stands up to cleaning.
We do not name one brand here, because the right product depends on the old finish and the wood. Ask any painter which primer and which enamel 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 the paint is sticky, peeling or full of brush marks, it has to be sanded back or stripped to a sound surface first. That takes more work than painting bare cabinets would have, so expect the price to reflect it.
Bring us a door, or send a photo, and we can tell you what it needs. A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (701) 502-6833.