Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets in the UK

Typical UK prices for professionally painting or spraying kitchen cabinets, what is included, and how it compares with replacing doors or a whole kitchen.

Repainting kitchen cabinets can transform a tired kitchen for a fraction of the cost of a new one. Quotes vary widely, however, because the quality of the result depends almost entirely on preparation, the paint system and drying time.

Here is what you can typically expect to pay and what you should look for in a quote.

Typical price ranges

Prices depend on the number of doors and drawers, the condition and region, with London and the South East usually higher. As a rough guide:

Kitchen size	Hand-painted (typical)	Sprayed (typical)
Small (about 10 doors)	£600 to £1,200	£800 to £1,500
Medium (about 20 doors)	£1,000 to £2,000	£1,400 to £2,500
Large (30+ doors)	£1,800 to £3,000	£2,200 to £3,500

Some decorators price per door or drawer, often somewhere in the region of £40 to £100 each, depending on size and finish. Worktops, walls and handles are normally separate.

What a proper job involves

A lasting finish needs more than a quick coat of paint. Typically it includes:

Removing doors, drawers and handles and labelling them.
Thorough degreasing, because kitchen surfaces carry invisible grease.
Sanding or keying the existing finish.
Repairing chips and filling old handle holes if needed.
Applying a suitable primer for the material, such as laminate, vinyl wrap or wood.
Two or more coats of a durable cabinet paint with proper drying time between coats.
Refitting, adjusting hinges and leaving time to harden.

If any of these steps are skipped, the paint may chip or peel in everyday use.

Hand-painted vs sprayed

Brushed and rolled finishes are more affordable and can look good with a skilled decorator. Spraying generally gives a smoother, more even surface, but needs more masking, a clean dust-free area and often an off-site or dedicated spray set-up, which raises the price. For a DIY comparison, see how to paint kitchen cabinets.

What affects the price

Cabinet material

Solid wood and MDF usually take paint well. Laminate and foil-wrapped doors need specific primers and are less forgiving. Doors that are already peeling may need replacing or re-wrapping.

Condition and detail

Panelled or shaker-style doors take longer than flat ones. Heavily worn cabinets need more repair work.

Colour change

Moving from a dark to a pale colour needs more coats. A dramatic change inside the cabinets as well adds time.

Timeline and access

You may have limited kitchen use for several days, as paint needs time to cure fully before heavy use.

Is it worth it?

Repainting makes sense if the carcasses are sound, the layout works and doors are structurally good. If units are swollen, damaged by water or poorly fitted, replacement doors or a new kitchen may be better value. A good decorator will tell you honestly whether painting is suitable.

Getting a fair quote

Ask each provider:

How many coats and what primer will be used?
Will doors be removed and painted off the hinges?
How long before the kitchen can be used normally?
Is the quote for doors only, or also carcasses and end panels?
What happens if paint chips in the first few months?

You can also read questions to ask a decorator before hiring.

A worked example: a 20-door shaker kitchen

A medium kitchen with 20 shaker-style doors and drawer fronts, painted by hand, might break down like this. Day one for removal, labelling, degreasing and keying. Day two for filling and priming. Days three and four for two coats of cabinet paint with proper drying between. Day five for refitting and tidying. That is around five working days, at a day rate of £180 to £250 for labour, so labour often lands between £900 and £1,250, with paint, primer and consumables extra. A quote in the £1,000 to £2,000 band for a kitchen this size is therefore realistic, and a price well below that is worth questioning.

Painting doors only or the whole kitchen?

Option	What it means	Typical consequence
Doors and drawer fronts only	Carcasses stay as they are	Cheapest, but visible edges and insides may not match
Doors plus visible end panels	Cleaner, more complete look	Slightly more labour
Doors, ends and carcass interiors	Full repaint	Highest cost, most thorough

Common mistakes

Not degreasing. Kitchens carry invisible grease, which breaks paint adhesion.
Using wall paint. Cabinets need a hard-wearing system designed for the job.
Re-hanging doors too soon. They may stick or mark if the paint has not hardened.
Skipping hinge and handle decisions. New handles may need new drill holes; decide before painting so old holes are filled once.
Painting damaged laminate without testing. Peeling edges rarely hold paint.

Kitchens in rentals and older properties

If the kitchen is rented, ask the landlord or agent before painting and keep any agreement in writing. In older properties, check that hinges and carcasses are sound before investing in a finish. Old wood may be fine, but laminate that has lifted around the edges tends to fail again.

Living in the house during the job

Expect a few days with limited kitchen use. Cabinet doors are often painted in a garage, spare room or workshop, so ask where space is needed. A temporary setup for kettle, microwave and washing-up is worth planning in advance. Pets and children should be kept away from wet doors.

What a sensible quote lists

The doors and drawers counted, the primer type, the number of coats, the finish and sheen, what is happening with handles, and how long before normal use resumes. Photos of the existing kitchen sent with your request make the quote more accurate.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to paint kitchen cabinets?

Typically around three to seven days, depending on size, drying times and whether doors are sprayed. The paint may feel dry quickly but take a couple of weeks to fully harden.

Can any kitchen be painted?

Most solid wood, MDF and some laminate kitchens can. High-gloss thermofoil and damaged vinyl wrap are harder and may not suit painting. A decorator should test adhesion on a small area.

Is painting cabinets cheaper than new doors?

Often yes, but the answer depends on door count and condition. Get a quote for both before deciding.

Find painting providers near you

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