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The cost to paint kitchen cabinets yourself is typically lower than if you were to hire a professional. Ideal for a low-budget but high-impact kitchen refresh.

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More often than not, the hub of the home is the place to start when you feel like refreshing your space, and when the cost of painting kitchen cabinets tends to run far less than a complete remodel, considering this DIY is a no brainer.

If you are doing this yourself, the main investment you're going to make is in purchasing the best paint for kitchen cabinets to ensure you get that professional finish. But, it's a small price to pay vs a complete kitchen upgrade. And, painting kitchen cabinets yourself instead of replacing them will save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars – whether you DIY the job or hire a pro – whilst still giving your cooking space a solid facelift.

In our eyes, the expense of this project is well worth it. Especially when there are plenty of clever ways to save along the way, without compensating on an expert finish.

Whether remodeling a kitchen entirely or just sprucing it up a bit, tending to the cabinets can give the space a fresh new look. But that’s not all. 'Painting kitchen cabinets isn't just for aesthetic purposes,' says Kyle Richards, co-founder of Best Overland Park Painters in Kansas. 'It helps make your cabinetry last longer by protecting it from moisture, mold, and insects.' Here are some popular reasons homeowners choose to paint their cabinets:

Also, your reason for upgrading the kitchen will influence how much money you spend on the cabinets alone. For example, a whole-kitchen gut and remodel involves removing the cabinets and treating them differently, which adds to the overall cost. But, the cost of painting the cabinets yourself in place of rejuvenating the entire kitchen saves money.

Whatever kitchen cabinet ideas you're trying to recreate with paint, several factors impact the project’s cost – from the condition and number of cabinets to the type of paint you choose. So, let’s look at how these factors play out, whether you’re DIYing the job or hiring a professional.

The type of paint you use

The amount and type of paint required for the job impact the cost. Also, according to Richards, the kitchen paint’s color affects the price. 'This is particularly true for in-demand colors that may be more challenging to source,' he says, 'especially now that we're experiencing a shortage due to supply chain issues.'

If you’re buying off-the-shelf colors, how much will you need? 'I can do most kitchens with one gallon of primer. And for an average kitchen, you’ll need one to three gallons of color,' says Britney Johnson, owner of B-Design interior design firm in Olympia, Washington, and instructor of the Design Your Dream Home online course (opens in new tab) . However, it will cost more if you need multiple coats to cover the old color.

Even though it’s more costly, Johnson recommends enamel paint because it’s harder and dries smoother. 'Enamel paint self-levels so you don’t see the brush strokes,” she says. 'Good paint is worth the cost.'

Spray painting the cabinets will get the job done faster but is more costly. Most homeowners opt to brush the paint, especially if DIYing.

Old, soiled cabinets cost more to paint for a professional job because of the prep work needed. However, if you’re DIYing the job, it will take more time, not money, to clean and sand the surfaces.

Whether you spray, brush, or roll your paint, you’ll need painter’s tape and paper and plastic sheeting to cover all the surfaces you want to protect. Brushes, rollers, pans, sandpaper, and clean-up supplies also add to the cost.

The average cost to brush and roller paint the cabinets in a 10 by 10 kitchen is $1,300-2,500, according to the home services website Fixr (opens in new tab) . If you’re painting the cabinets yourself, expect to pay the following for paint and supplies. 

For a professional to paint your kitchen cabinets, expect to pay $5,000 for a medium-sized kitchen, with a range from $3,000-10,000, according to Andre Kazimierski, CEO, Improovy Painters Chicago (opens in new tab) . 'The average cost of painting kitchen cabinets is $100 per drawer face and $175 per cabinet door,' he says. Or, some cabinet painters charge by the linear foot or by the hour, with $90 per hour being average. However, labor costs will also vary depending on the following:

Whether taking on this DIY project yourself or hiring someone else, the site must be prepared and the other surfaces protected. Here is a breakdown of what to expect your pro painter to do, or for you to do yourself. Remember, spending the extra time to diligently prep the space will result in a cleaner and more beautiful outcome. 

Despite the savings you’re seeing by choosing to refresh rather than replace the cupboards, there are additional ways to save on the costs of painting kitchen cabinets. Here are a few to consider:

Refreshing kitchen cabinets yourself is really rewarding and if you have some basic DIY skills under your belt then doing it yourself will be more cost-effective than replacing them or hiring a professional. If you feel like it's too complicated a process then of course speak to a local professional and the costs may outweigh the upheaval of trying this yourself. Either way, it's a great way to refresh your home without going the whole hog.

Carol J. Alexander writes website copy, blog posts, and feature articles on home remodeling and construction topics from her home in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. In addition to Real Homes, notable clients include, This Old House, Family Handyman, and Florida Roofing magazine.

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