Tools and Materials

Note

Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.

How Much Will Painting My Cabinets Cost?

It can be surprisingly affordable to paint your cabinets. And if you already have a well-stocked toolbox, then it will set you back even less. Much of the ultimate cost will depend on the size of your cabinetry, how much primer you use and what type of paint you buy. But for most homes, the cost can range from about $400 to over a thousand dollars.

The Tools You Need to Paint Cabinets

We made a list of every tool you need to do a professional job. Anyone who works with tools will tell you how important it is to have quality tools. It helps to pick up and handle the tools to find the ones that feel right in your hands. But if you can't come into a store, then do some research on the best tools, and, when in doubt, choose brands you trust.

What's the Best Paint for Cabinets?

There are a couple of things to consider when choosing paint for your cabinets.

Choose high-quality paint. Special cabinet paints are available that provide a smooth finish, but any high-quality paint should work.
Make sure your paint is acrylic, not vinyl. Acrylic latex-based paint is durable and easy to clean up.
With latex paints, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding cure time.

Next, you want to think about the finish you want. A matte finish gives a flatter, low-gloss finish. A high-gloss finish, on the other hand, provides a high-sheen, highly reflective surface, and a satin finish falls between the two.

Remember these tips and you're sure to do a professional-looking job:

Purchase the appropriate supplies for your type of cabinets: solid wood, laminate or metal.
Check the paint label on the can for specific instructions.
Wood cabinets are ideal for painting, but any surface that can be scuffed with sandpaper can be painted.
Laminate cabinets require a special bonding primer. The laminate must be in good condition for best results.
A gloss finish will make your cabinets sheen, but it may show a lot of dings or mistakes. Semi-gloss or satin finishes are typically used for kitchens. Some flat-finish paints can be difficult to clean. Check the instructions for details.

Shop Kitchen Cabinetry Shop Cabinet Enamel Paint Shop Cabinet Hardware

Prepare to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Painting cabinets will take several days to complete, so plan accordingly. Always wear the appropriate safety gear and open the windows for ventilation. Also, for best results, you should remove the doors and drawers and work on them in an area that’s out of the way, like a garage or basement. Make sure you’ll have proper ventilation there too.

Determine the condition of your cabinets. Surfaces that are already painted can be painted again if the existing paint is in good condition. If not, the old paint will need to be removed. Stripping products are available that make this process easy. Simply apply with a brush, wait for the stripper to react with the old paint, then use a plastic scraper to peel it away. Once dry, remove the last of the paint with sandpaper. For more details on how to properly strip your cabinets, including tips for determining their type of finish and the right products to use, see Refinishing and Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets.

Also, while assessing the condition of your cabinet doors, you may determine that one or more of them needs to be replaced. For instructions, see How to Make Replacement Cabinet Doors.

Caution

If your cabinets were previously painted and your house was built before 1978, the paint may be lead-based. Use a testing kit or call a professional for help. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on all paint-stripping products.

A roll of tape and marker sitting on a cabinet door.

Empty the cabinets. You’ll be sanding later, which might get dusty. Remove the doors, drawers and hardware. As you’re removing the doors and drawers, label where they go with painter’s tape so you can reinstall them in the right spots. Place the hardware in a plastic bag or cup and label where it goes.

Good to Know

If you run into difficulties while removing your cabinet hardware, see How Do I Remove A Stripped Screw? for help.

A person repairing cabinets with wood filler.

Clean all surfaces with TSP cleaner to remove any grease and dirt. Repair damaged areas. Dents and holes can be filled with a wood filler. Use a putty knife to press it in and smooth it out. Let it dry according to the directions.

Don’t fill the hardware holes if you’re planning on using the same hardware. If you’re replacing your hardware, you might have to use wood filler for holes that don’t line up with the new hardware.

Cover your countertops, appliances and other areas you want to protect. Placing painters tape on the wall along the cabinet edges is helpful. Sand everything with medium grit sandpaper to help the paint stick to the surface. Fold the sandpaper to get into the detailed areas on doors and drawers, and in the corners on the frames. How Do I Use Sandpaper?

Good to Know

Laminate paint requires a special bonding primer. Some primers require sanding the laminate. Be careful not to sand too deep and damage the laminate. Just a light once-over will do.

Prime Kitchen Cabinets

Wander enough paint aisles, and you're likely to see cans of primer. That may get you wondering if you need a primer for cabinets. The fact is, applying primer is an important step in the painting process. Primer provides a suitable surface for the paint to stick to, helping it to last longer and look better. It also covers old paint jobs and imperfections.

A person painting small cabinet pieces white.

Paint the doors and drawers. Remove the tape labels but keep them nearby. Start with the backside and apply a smooth even coat. When it’s dry, flip the door over and paint the front. Start with the detailed areas, making sure the primer doesn’t pool in the corners, and feather out the edges. Then work on the larger, flat surfaces with a foam roller. Use painters tripods to lift the doors and drawers up from your painting surface. This allows you to paint the edges more easily.

For drawers, it’s typically best to paint just the drawer front piece rather than the entire drawer. Sometimes painting the sides and bottom can cause the drawers to stick in the frames. Allow the primer to dry according to the directions. It usually takes a few hours.

Good to Know

Some primers recommend sanding before painting. Follow all directions.

Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Paint can be applied with a brush and roller (DIY-friendly) or a sprayer (advanced). Learn about using a paint sprayer to achieve the perfect finish.

The following directions are for using a brush and roller.

Refinish Cabinet Hardware

A person holding cabinet hardware in front of a door.

If you’re using your old hardware, you can clean it or refinish it with spray paint for a new look. If your hardware simply needs cleaning, see Refinishing and Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets for instructions. If you want to replace your hardware instead, see our Cabinet Hardware Buying Guide for options.

Good to Know

Work on the hardware in between coats of paint to save time.

Finish: Reassemble Kitchen Cabinets

Now that your cabinets are painted, consider adding shelf liners. Some liners are decorative and stick to the surface. Others are padded to help protect the surface.

See How Your Neighbor Did It

A bathroom with white cabinets and gold hardware and countertops.

Don't just take our word for it. Hilary of "Embellishmints" took on this project in her bathroom and the results are impressive. She'll walk you through her real-life process of painting cabinets.
See how she did it .

Ready to take on more painting projects? Check out these tips on painting a door.

How to Prep and Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

How Much Will Painting My Cabinets Cost?

The Tools You Need to Paint Cabinets

What's the Best Paint for Cabinets?

Prepare to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Prime Kitchen Cabinets

Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Refinish Cabinet Hardware

Finish: Reassemble Kitchen Cabinets

See How Your Neighbor Did It

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