How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

Painting your cabinets in a modern shade can be an easier and more cost-effective way to give your kitchen a fresh new look than a full remodel, but how much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets? The national average for labor and materials to have your kitchen cabinets professionally painted falls around $2,133, but your location and several other variables can significantly affect the total cost of your project.

Painting kitchen cabinets can fall anywhere between $400 and $8,000, though most projects fall between $900 and $4,000, which means that understanding how your professional painter calculates the cost of painting your cabinets is an important step in finding ways to reduce costs without losing quality. 

Here are some of the most important factors that may impact the total cost of painting your kitchen cabinets!

Size and Number of Cabinets 

Larger cabinets naturally require more paint and time to cover than smaller cabinets, which means they will generally cost more to paint. A kitchen that has multiple walls nearly completely covered with large cabinets will be more expensive to paint than one that only has a limited number of smaller built-in cabinets and primarily utilizes other types of storage. 

Painting Method

Many kitchen cabinets can be painted just as effectively using a variety of painting methods. Painting your cabinets using spray paint or by applying another type of paint using a brush or roller often produce similar results unless your cabinets are especially intricate or otherwise unusual, which means that choosing a less expensive method can be a simple way to save money.

You can also use a less expensive spray paint to cover your entire cabinets and add details using a brush once your main color dries, which allows you to take advantage of a cheaper option while still getting the finishing touches you want. 

Color and Type of Paint 

Certain colors and types of paint are more difficult to create a complete opaque surface with than others, which means that choosing these specialty options may require more coats of paint than more common choices.

Paints that are especially light, shiny, or otherwise challenging to provide thorough coverage without seeing through to your original cabinets require more paint and more time to finish than options that easily cover your cabinets, which may increase the total cost of your project.

This can be especially true if you are attempting to cover very dark cabinets with paint that is very light or otherwise challenging to work with.

How Your Painter Calculates Cost 

Your professional painter also has several options to choose from when it comes to calculating the total cost of painting your kitchen cabinets. While these numbers often work out similarly, they can significantly impact the overall cost of your project under certain circumstances. Your painter may calculate the cost of painting your cabinets by selecting a fixed cost per square foot or charge by the hour.

Many painters choose to charge based on the size of your cabinets because this method works out to a more accurate representation of the total cost of labor and materials, which typically falls between $3 and $10 per square foot. Painters that charge by the hour often fall between $20 and $50 per hour. 

At Edesia Kitchen and Bath, we are here to help you evaluate your options when it comes to creating your dream kitchen. Whether you are planning to include painting your cabinets as part of a full kitchen remodel or simply add a fresh coat of paint as an easier way to give your kitchen a new look, our experts can help you select a color and style that make your space look just how you want it to.

Contact us today to learn more about the most important things to know when having your kitchen cabinets painted or to start the process of planning your new kitchen!