How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Kitchen in 2025?
The average cost to paint a kitchen is $800
Most homeowners spend between $570 and $1,210 on average to refresh a kitchen with new paint.
Labor, paint quality, and the size of your kitchen are the three primary factors that drive the price.
A fresh coat of paint brightens the space and can bump up your home’s resale value.
Painting just the walls of a small kitchen is often cheaper, but tackling the full space—including cabinets, backsplash, and appliances—can push the total up.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
A quick kitchen paint job runs between $570 and $1,210 or $2 to $6 per square foot. Small kitchens can go as low as $330, while larger kitchens or more complex paint jobs can go as high as $1,620. On average, homeowners spend $800 on kitchen painting. Your final tab depends on factors such as square footage, paint quality, labor rates, and the frequency of touch-ups. Decide early whether you’ll roll up your sleeves or bring in a pro, and you’ll avoid costly surprises down the road.
Kitchen Painting Materials Cost
Painting a kitchen requires more than just paint—tools and supplies add to the total cost. From brushes and rollers to ladders and drop cloths, material expenses can range from a few dollars to over $100, depending on quality and quantity.
| Materials | Cost |
|---|---|
| Paint | $50–$600 |
| Brushes | $3–$20 |
| Painter's Tape | $3–$10 |
| Drop Cloth | $5–$30 |
| Paint Trays | $2–$5 each |
| Rollers | $10–$100 |
| Ladder | $80–$100 |
| Scraper | $6–$20 |
| Sandpaper | $5–$15 |
Kitchen Painting Labor Costs
Hiring a local painter costs between $170 and $680 for labor. Costs are figured in one of two ways:
Per square foot: $1.50 to $4 per square foot for labor only, $2 to $6 per square foot for labor and materials.
Hourly pricing: Hourly pricing ranges from $20 to $50 per hour, with some professionals charging up to $100 per hour, depending on the project's complexity. Labor often accounts for 75% to 85% of the total bill.
Kitchen Painting Cost by Type
The layout and size of your kitchen significantly influence the cost of painting. More complex shapes or larger square footage often require additional time, materials, and labor.
Galley Kitchen
Galley kitchens range from $250 to $700. They feature a central walkway with cabinets and appliances on one or both walls and measure 80 to 120 square feet.
Island Kitchen
Kitchens with an island cost between $400 and $1,200. They’re generally over 100 square feet and require maneuvering around the island to paint.
L-Shaped Kitchen
L-shaped kitchens cost between $300 and $1,200. They have two adjacent walls of cabinets forming an L shape, and the range in size is from 100 to 200 square feet.
U-Shaped Kitchen
U-shaped kitchens, the largest of which are over 175 square feet, cost between $600 and $2,000 due to the extensive cabinet coverage on three sides.
Kitchen Painting Cost by Size
Most pros quote by square footage. Kitchens range in size from 70 to 400 square feet, and painting just the walls costs less than tackling the walls and cabinets.
| Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost (Walls Only) | Average Cost (Whole Kitchen) |
|---|---|---|
| 8×8 | $130–$400 | $225–$600 |
| 8×10 | $160–$400 | $280–$640 |
| 9×9 | $160–$410 | $290–$650 |
| 10×10 | $200–$500 | $200–$600 |
| 10×12 | $240–$600 | $420–$960 |
| 12×12 | $290–$730 | $500–$1,100 |
| 10×20 | $400–$1,000 | $400–$1,200 |
| 20×20 | $700–$1,200 | $500–$1,500+ |
Kitchen Appliance Painting Cost
Extra elements—think appliances or countertops—sometimes need specialty paint or tools. These added complexities can increase both labor time and overall project costs.
Appliances
The average cost to refinish kitchen appliances is $50 to $450. Heat-resistant paint is often required for ovens and stoves.
| Appliance | Cost |
|---|---|
| Dishwasher | $175–$250 |
| Freezer | $75–$150 |
| Microwave | $50–$100 |
| Freestanding Oven | $160–$300 |
| Refrigerator (top freezer) | $160–$280 |
| Refrigerator (side by side) | $175–$295 |
| Stove | $250–$350 |
Backsplash
Painting a backsplash runs $3 to $13 per square foot. Simple materials, such as tile or wallpaper, cost $3 to $6 per square foot, while granite and marble-backed walls cost $9 to $13 per square foot.
Cabinets
Expect to pay $3 to $10 per square foot, or approximately $1,000 total, to repaint kitchen cabinets. Doors and hardware must be removed first.
Countertops
Countertops cost $7 to $17 per square foot to paint. A special primer and countertop paint are required. Some materials, like recycled glass or copper, should not be painted.
Island
Painting a kitchen island costs $3 to $6 per square foot. Prep can be more involved if the island has cabinets underneath.
Ways to Cut Kitchen Painting Costs
Looking to refresh your kitchen without overspending? Try these cost-saving strategies:
Shop around for estimates: Request bids from several local painters to find the best balance of price and service.
Stick to simpler choices: Basic paint colors and standard sheens are more affordable than custom hues or specialty finishes.
Handle prep work yourself: Clean the walls, relocate furniture, and tape edges in advance to reduce professional labor time.
Time it right: Schedule your project during slower seasons, such as winter, to take advantage of reduced rates.
Bundle upgrades: If you’re tackling multiple home projects, ask about package deals or multi-room discounts.
Watch for deals: Purchase paint and supplies when promotions, rebates, or seasonal sales are running.
Keep it simple: Reducing the number of colors or opting out of decorative techniques can help minimize both product and labor expenses.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Going DIY can trim the bill, but it demands time, gear, and plenty of elbow grease. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you decide to DIY:
Up-front purchases: Budget for specialty tools and materials you don’t already own.
Take-down time: Plan to pull cabinet doors, hardware, and appliances before you start.
Prep work: Deep clean, sand, and fill gaps to ensure the paint adheres and looks smooth.
Detailing: Taping edges requires patience to achieve razor-sharp lines.
Risk of do-overs: Missteps add stress and hidden costs; sometimes paying a pro first saves money later.
If you’d rather skip the mess, hire a reputable painting pro near you for a smooth, durable finish.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.