You want to update your kitchen, but you're not about to rip everything out and spend a fortune. Painting your cabinets is usually one of the first options most people consider. But there's one problem: it can be really difficult to figure out how much cabinet painting even costs.
At Roe Painting, we have over 25 years of experience and thousands of projects under our belt, including cabinet painting transformations. We also believe in price transparency, so we are here to break down the real factors that affect cost, so you can move forward confidently.
In this article, we'll cover:
- Factors Affecting the Cost of Cabinet Painting
- Typical Price Ranges for Cabinet Painting
- Cabinet Painting vs. Refacing
- When Cabinet Painting Might Not Be Worth It
What Affects the Cost of Cabinet Painting?
The cost to paint your cabinets can vary widely, but to give you a starting point, expect to pay $95-$155 per door, drawer, or side panel in your space for cabinet painting. We'll dive more into estimating costs further in this article.
Several factors will be considered when you are getting a professional estimate. These are some of the things that will drive the price up or down:
1. The Size and Layout of Your Cabinet Set
More cabinets = more time, materials, and labor. Do you have a small galley kitchen with just a few doors and drawers? Or a large, open-concept space with a massive island, pantry cabinets, and double-stacked uppers? The larger and more complex your kitchen layout, the more you can expect to pay.
2. The Condition of Your Cabinets
Prep work is often the hidden cost-driver. If your cabinets are in good shape and haven't been previously painted, they'll require less sanding, filling, and repair. But cabinets with peeling paint, heavy grease building up, or prior coating failures can take significantly longer to prepare, which impacts the total cost.
4. Whether Work Happens On-Site or Off-Site
If you have space on your property where we can set up a temporary booth for spraying cabinet doors or drawers, that will decrease the cost rather than us driving the pieces back to our shop for painting. As an added bonus, completing all painting on-site will speed up the timeline and get you back into your kitchen faster.
Typical Price Ranges for Cabinet Painting in 2025
Cabinet painting costs usually fall between $3,000 and $8,000 for a full kitchen, depending on size, complexity, and finish preferences. Smaller projects like bathroom vanities or partial cabinet sets can cost as little as $1,000-$2,500. Ballpark pricing for your project can be determined by the number of doors, drawers, and finished panels, multiplied by a rate of $95 to $155 per piece.
To get an accurate estimate for your project, schedule an in-person consultation where we can confirm the number of surfaces and assess the condition of your cabinets.
Here's what you can expect based on project size:
Room Size |
Estimated # of Pieces |
Estimated Price Range |
| Small Kitchen (10-15 doors) | 20-30 total pieces | $2,000-$4,750 |
| Medium Kitchen (20-30 doors) | 35-50 total pieces | $3,500-$7,750 |
| Large Kitchen (35+ doors, island, pantry, etc.) | 55-70+ total pieces | $5,000-$10,500+ |
| Bathroom Vanity (5-10 doors/drawers) | 10-15 total pieces | $1,000-$2,500 |
Most of our full kitchen cabinet painting projects fall between $6,500 and $10,000, depending on layout, finish type, and prep needs.
Cabinet Painting vs. Refacing vs. Replacing: Which One is Right For You?
If you're considering painting your cabinets, chances are you've also looked into refacing, which is replacing the doors and drawer fronts while keeping the existing cabinet boxes. By looking at repainting, resurfacing, and full-blown replacing, you can see the wide price difference for each option.
Service |
What It Involves |
Typical Cost Range |
| Painting | Prepping and painting existing doors, drawers, and boxes | $3,000 — $10,000 |
| Refacing | New doors/drawers + applying veneer to cabinet boxes | $8,000 — $16,000 |
| Replacing | Full cabinet demo + new cabinets | $15,000 — $30,000 |
Painting is almost always the most cost-effective way to update the look of your cabinets, especially if your current layout is functional and your cabinets are in good shape.
When Does Painting Make the Most Sense?
- Your cabinet doors are structurally sound (no major cracks or warping)
- You like your current layout
- You want to refresh the style or color without a full kitchen overhaul
- You're working within a budget
When Might Refacing Be the Better Option
- Your cabinet doors are damaged or very outdated in style
- You want to switch from flat panel to raised panel, or change materials entirely
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When Cabinet Painting Might Not Be Worth It
Cabinet painting is a smart choice for many homes, but not every kitchen is the right fit. You may want to explore other options if:
- Your cabinets are damaged. Cracked doors, warped panels, or water damage won't be fixed by paint.
- You dislike the style. If you're not a fan of your cabinet's shape or profile, changing the color won't change the design.
- You're changing the layout. Painting works best when you keep your current setup.
- You expect a brand-new look on worn surfaces. Paint enhances what's there. It doesn't cover deep flaws or failing materials.
For more help deciding if painting is the right move, check out our article "Should I Repaint My Kitchen Cabinets?" for a deeper dive into whether or not your cabinets are ideal candidates for painting.
What's Next for Your Cabinets?
Painting your cabinets can be one of the most cost-effective ways to transform your kitchen, but only if your cabinets are in good shape and the finish fits your goals. You've now seen what drives cost, how we estimate pricing, and how painting stacks up against refacing.
At Roe Painting, we believe you deserve straight answers before you ever reach for your wallet. That's why we've created these tools to help you take the next step.
s.No matter where you are in the process, we're here to help you move forward with confidence. Ready to request a quote? Contact us for a no-obligation, complimentary quote.
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