Painting kitchen cabinets costs $2,000 to $6,500 for an average kitchen in 2026, by national published figures. It works well on solid, sound boxes, which is what most oak kitchens in the Salt Lake Valley have.
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 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 and $30 to $110 per drawer front. Spraying 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 (200 sq ft or more) | $5,000 to $10,000 |
Other HomeGuide pages print lower ranges for cabinets. We use the figures from its cabinet painting page, since that page is about this job.
How much for 20 or 30 cabinet doors and drawers?
At the published $70 to $125 per door, 20 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 national per-piece figures, not a quote. It also leaves out the frames, end panels and any island, which are part of a real job. Count your doors and drawers before you call and we can tell you more.
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.
Refacing means new doors, drawer fronts and a veneer over the frames. Replacing means new boxes too. Paint makes sense when you like the layout and the boxes are solid. It does not fix sagging shelves, water damaged bases or a layout you dislike.
Painting or refinishing cabinets: what is the difference in cost?
Refinishing costs $1,500 to $4,500 for an average kitchen by the national figures, a little less than painting at $2,000 to $6,500. Refinishing means stripping or sanding the old finish and putting on new stain and clear coat, so the wood still shows.
Refinishing suits cabinets with good wood and a worn finish. Paint suits cabinets where you want a solid color.
Are 1990s oak cabinets worth painting, and can oak go white?
Yes to both, as long as the boxes and doors are solid. Golden oak kitchens from the 1980s and 1990s are in a large share of valley homes, and most are well built.
Oak has open grain. Under white paint the grain shows as fine lines unless a grain filler is used first. Some people like that texture and some want a flat face, so decide before work starts. Oak also has tannins that can stain through light paint, which is why a stain-blocking primer goes on first.
Can you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets?
Laminate can be painted when it is tight and clean and a bonding primer is used. Thermofoil is harder. It is a thin vinyl skin over fiberboard, and when it is peeling at the edges, paint will not hold it down.
Loose thermofoil doors are better replaced, and the frames painted to match. We test adhesion on the back of a door before we promise anything.
Spray or brush for cabinets, and are doors sprayed off site?
Spraying gives the smoothest finish on cabinet doors, and brushing and rolling works well on frames. Doors and drawer fronts are taken off and sprayed flat so the paint levels and does not run.
Where the doors are sprayed depends on the job: in a garage, a masked-off room or a shop. Ask any painter where yours will go and how they are kept free of dust while they dry. Our dry air helps coats set quickly.
Can cabinets be painted without removing the doors?
They can, but the result is poorer. With the doors off, every edge and the hinge side get painted, and there are no drips at the hinges. Painting with the doors on leaves bare strips and paint on the hardware.
Taking doors off, numbering them and putting them back is normal practice. Hinges and handles are removed too.
How long does cabinet painting take and can I use the kitchen?
Cabinet painting takes 3 to 5 days by the national figures. You can use your kitchen for part of that time, but not all of it.
Expect open shelves while the doors are away, and no access while frames are being sprayed or are wet. The sink and appliances can usually be used in the evenings. Empty the cabinets near the work, or at least the front of each shelf.
Will painted cabinets chip or peel?
Painted cabinets can chip where they take knocks, such as the edges by the dishwasher and the trash pull-out. They should not peel. Peeling means the surface was not cleaned of grease, not sanded or not primed.
Good prep, a hard enamel and gentle use for the first weeks while the paint cures prevent most damage. Small chips can be touched up.
How long does cabinet paint last, compared with a factory finish?
Painted kitchen cabinets last 8 to 15 years by the national published figure. A factory finish is baked or catalyzed in a plant and is harder than any finish put on in a house, so it resists wear better.
A sprayed cabinet enamel comes close in looks. It will show wear sooner at the most used doors, and it can be touched up, which a factory finish cannot easily be.
What kind of paint do pros use on cabinets for a smooth finish?
Pros use a cabinet-grade enamel, not wall paint. These are waterborne alkyd or urethane-modified enamels that level out as they dry, so brush marks disappear and the cabinet face ends up smooth and hard.
Under it goes a bonding or stain-blocking primer. We do not name a brand here, because the right product depends on the old finish. Ask for the product names in your quote.
I painted my cabinets myself and they look bad. Can a pro fix them?
Yes, in most cases. If you painted your cabinets yourself and the paint is peeling, sticky or full of brush marks, the fix is to sand it back, or strip it where it will not bond, then prime and spray.
It costs more than painting untouched cabinets, because the failed coat has to come off first. Wall paint used on cabinets is the most common cause. Tell us what products went on and we will tell you what can be saved.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (801) 618-4881.