How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?

This is probably one of the most asked questions I get regarding kitchen cabinet painting. First of all, there is no easy answer. That's like asking "how much does a house cost?" There are so many different variables that factor into pricing, so I will break it down.

Yes...size does matter, in this case. Obviously larger kitchens will have a higher price than smaller kitchens. But the biggest factors that determine price are the number of doors, the number of drawers, wood type, previously painted, the desired finish, glass doors, decorative moldings and trim work, and if the homeowner is willing to do some of the work.

Let's break it down.

An abundance of cabinet doors will require more labor. One option that I always offer is that the homeowner can remove and install the cabinet doors and drawers for a price reduction. This means less labor for me, and a cost savings for the homeowner. Even still, each cabinet door gets refinished on both the front and back, and some have a floating panel in the middle.

If your cabinetry has a lot of detail, moldings, or abundance of trim, that will add to the cost due to more labor being spent on prep and painting of those areas. Glass doors add extra to the project because not only does the glass need to be removed and reinstalled, but most of the time clients want the inside of the cabinets painted as well since they will be visible.

Cabinetry that has previously been painted will need to be stripped in order to be repainted. This is to ensure that proper prep work is done so that finish failure is not an issue. Stain vs paint is also a factor on cost. Painting cabinets requires a scuff sanding, while staining cabinets requires that the existing finish be completely removed prior to applying stain.

New hardware would add to the project cost as well if you want to change the existing holes. There is a charge for filling and drilling new holes. It's easiest to use the existing hardware size if possible but I understand the desire to want to change it up. Changing hardware is always an option, and its best to let the painter know before painting during the prep stage.

Speciality finishes will also increase the price. Typically, this involves more than one finish, which means additional products and labor.

When it comes to cabinet painting, an average sized kitchen usually starts around $2,700 and can go up as high as $5,000.

What would it cost to do it yourself?

That depends on the equipment that you already have on hand. The biggest (most expensive) pieces of equipment that I use when refinishing cabinets are my sander and dust collection system, and paint spray gun. If you were to purchase these items for refinishing your kitchen, you would probably break even after the cost of paint and supplies for the rest of the project.

Paint is also a large part of the cost. Quality paint can cost $60-$120 per gallon. Typically an average sized kitchen takes 1-2 gallons of paint and 1-2 gallons of primer.

Quality products results in a quality finish. Which is why I only use professional products and equipment. This means I don't cut corners with cheap or DIY paint. Latex paint should not be used on cabinets, only a paint formulated for wood should be used. Also please don't use chalk paint for cabinets either, it was not designed for cabinets. Chalk paint is porous and meant for DIY on furniture typically for distressing.

What to look for in a refinisher?

To get the best results, you should use someone known for cabinet painting. Find out the process, the products they use, make sure the company carries liability insurance, and ask to see samples of their work. You want to know what costs even more than refinishing cabinets? Fixing cabinets that were once refinished and having to strip and stain them all completely.

If you want more information on the process on how I paint cabinets for clients, you can read more about it in this blog post.

Having your cabinets painted is going to be a much cost effective solution versus having them refaced or completely replaced and can completely change the look of a room.

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Card Catalog Furniture Makeovers

Some of these pieces are true card catalogs, and some just look like it. I love working on this style, and wanted to share a few that I have done.

Don't forget to see all of my transformations by following me on Facebook or Instagram.

First is this metal piece that used to belong to my client's grandparents. It was previously painted brown, just needed a fresh update.

The drawers on this are a bit larger, so I would consider this an apothecary cabinet. It was covered in a thick goopy brown paint, and I stripped the entire piece and added label holders for a look that is more true to its style.

Another apothecary style cabinet, this one a bit taller and different hardware was used. Each handle is attached to an individual drawer, in true apothecary style:

This one is a faux card catalog look since it is only one drawer, but what is unique about this is that it came from the top of an old coffee table that I had previously refinished and I added hairpin legs.

I have done a few mid century style dressers and opted to give them the look of several smaller drawers to replicate a card catalog style:

My client found this vintage library card catalog and scooped it up, then had it refinished by me. The hardware is original to the piece, and I stripped and stained the entire thing.

Sometimes just adding card catalog hardware to furniture gives it the illusion of having multiple drawers. This is best done with pieces that have grooves cut to look like smaller drawers:

What do you think? Do you like the look of card catalog style? Do you have any in your own home? If so, what do you use it for? I envision storing winter gear by the front door, or wine bottles in the kitchen, or craft storage, basically lots of storage options!