The average cost to paint kitchen cabinets is $180 per door or $3 to $10 per square foot of cabinet. If you also want to get your drawers painted, as well, it will cost you around $100 per drawer face.
A good paint job is an easy way to turn old, worn-out cabinets into modern cabinets. If you're thinking of painting your kitchen cabinets, you're probably wondering how much it will cost. The price can vary depending on a number of factors, including the size of your kitchen, the type of paint you choose, and the contractor you hire.
In this article, we'll give you an idea of what to expect when it comes to pricing, but keep in mind that these are just estimates—actual costs may vary depending on your specific situation.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?
The averages listed at the top of this article can fluctuate depending on the size of your kitchen. That's because professional painters offer discounts for a high volume of work. So, if you have a large kitchen—say with more than forty door or drawer surfaces—you can expect these averages to fall.
For a large kitchen, you can expect to pay $92 per drawer face and $160 per cabinet door. The smaller your kitchen gets, the higher these averages become.
Keep in mind that these averages are for professional kitchen cabinet painting. If you decide to go down the DIY route, you can expect to pay significantly less if you're experienced in painting and have all the necessary supplies. If you need to buy supplies like primer, paint, brushes, and a ladder, you can expect to spend a bit more, and if you're not experienced in painting, it's likely that your first attempt will not be perfect. This means you'll probably have to repaint, which will cost more time and money.
Of course, there is a wide range of other factors that will determine the actual cost of painting your kitchen cabinets.
Factors That Determine the Cost of Repainting
In addition to the size of your kitchen, the painting method, the type, quality, and color of paint, and the current condition of your cabinets will all play a role in determining the cost of repainting your kitchen cabinets.
Painting Technique
If you want a high-end, professional finish, you'll need to choose a painting technique that will give your cabinets a smooth, finished look. This usually means choosing a method like lacquer painting or spraying. Spraying requires less time and effort, which means it will also cost less. If your cabinets have a lot of crevices and intricate details, it's best to choose a method like hand-painting, though this requires more resources, meaning it often costs more.
The Condition of Your Cabinets
If your cabinets are in good condition, you can get away with a simple paint job. If they're in bad condition, you'll need to do some prep work first. This might include sanding, priming, and adding new hardware. All of this extra work will add to the total cost of painting your cabinets, but it's important to do it if you want your cabinets to look their best. For more information on adjusting kitchen hardware, check out our post on where to put knobs and handles on kitchen cabinets.
The Quality of the Paint
You can save money by choosing a lower-quality paint, but keep in mind that this will affect the quality of your finished product. If you want your cabinets to look their best, it's worth paying a bit more for high-quality paint.
In general, latex paint is the best choice for kitchen cabinets. It's easy to clean, which is important in a high-use area like the kitchen. Oil-based paint is another option—it's more durable than latex paint but harder to clean. If you want a high-gloss finish, you'll need to choose a paint that's specifically designed for that; these paints cost more than others, but they provide a better final result.
The Color of the Paint
You might think that all paint colors cost the same, but it’s not true. In general, light colors cost more than dark colors because they require more coats of paint to achieve full coverage, especially if you’re going from a dark color to a lighter one. If that’s the case, you’ll need to strip off the darker color first so that the new paint can show up properly.
Conclusion
Painting your kitchen cabinets can be a great way to give your kitchen a new look, and it's important to understand the cost before you start. We hope this article has helped you understand the factors that will affect the cost of painting your cabinets.
