Painting · Repair, replace or choose · Updated November 2026
Painting Kitchen Cabinets vs. Refacing Them
Painting changes the color of the cabinets you have. Refacing replaces the doors and drawer fronts and covers the boxes with new veneer. Painting costs far less; refacing changes the style as well as the color.
Cost comparison
| Option | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| DIY painting supplies | $200–$600 |
| Professional cabinet painting | $425–$1,465 (about $940 average); $30–$60 per linear ft. |
| Cabinet refinishing | $1,900–$4,500 |
| Cabinet refacing | $4,270–$10,200 |
Painting figures from HomeAdvisor; refinishing and refacing from our kitchen remodel cost guide.
Painting makes sense when
- You like the door style and just want a new color.
- Doors are solid wood or MDF in good condition.
- The budget is tight.
Cabinet painting holds up best with thorough cleaning, sanding, a bonding primer and a durable cabinet-grade paint. Ask painters what products they use and whether they spray doors off-site.
Refacing makes sense when
- You want a different door style, such as flat slab instead of raised panel.
- Doors are thermofoil or laminate, which do not paint well.
- Doors are warped or damaged but the boxes are solid.
If the boxes are damaged or you want a new layout, see cabinet refacing vs. replacement.
Sources
- HomeAdvisor: Cost to paint kitchen cabinets, accessed November 2026
Cost figures are national ranges from the sources listed above and in our painting cost guide, not a quote from FixFinch or any contractor.