If you’ve been thinking about refreshing your kitchen, painting it might be one of the best ways to do so. Whether you have an older home with dated cabinets or just want to create a fresh vibe in your kitchen, painting your cabinets is a simple and inexpensive way to upgrade them without breaking the bank. In fact, according to an article by HGTV, it can cost as little as $250 for an entire kitchen makeover and that includes all new paint. While that number is based on a fairly small space and the use of discount paint, there are some costs that might surprise you if you haven’t painted your kitchen before. Let’s take a closer look at what it could cost to paint your kitchen and what factors might increase or decrease those costs.
What is the average cost to paint your kitchen?
Paint is the biggest chunk of any kitchen renovation budget and not just because it’s so important to the visual appeal of the room. It’s also the most expensive part of any paint job. If you’re painting a moderately sized kitchen, you could easily spend $600 or more on paint alone. And that’s if you’re using a high-quality paint brand like Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore. The fact is, paint is a commodity that comes with a wide price range. If you shop at a discount store, you could easily spend as little as $200 for enough paint to cover your kitchen. But you’ll likely wind up with a subpar finish that will need to be painted again in a few years. That’s why we recommend spending a little more up front.
How much does it cost to paint your kitchen?
Let’s start with the basics. The cost to paint your kitchen will depend on a few key factors, including:
- The size of your kitchen – This is the biggest factor in your budget. You can expect to spend around $25 per square foot for a full kitchen makeover. A smaller kitchen (around 100 square feet) will cost less than a larger one, but it’s hard to say exactly how much less without knowing the rest of your renovation budget.
- The condition of your cabinets – If you’re covering up beautiful wood cabinets, you can expect to pay a little more for your paint. Likewise, painting over laminate can cost a little less. We’d recommend budgeting at least $10 per cabinet, but that may not cover it depending on the condition of your cabinets and your painter’s rate.
- The grade of paint you use – We’ll talk about this more below, but higher-end paint definitely costs more. It lasts longer, covers better, and looks better, which is why most professionals won’t use anything less than Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams.
- The cost of supplies – Most contractors will provide paint brushes and drop cloths, but if you’re doing the work yourself, you’ll need to factor them into the budget. You’ll also have to account for things like taping off cabinets and walls before painting, drop cloths to protect your floors, and cleanup supplies.
Things that can increase the cost of painting your kitchen
- The first thing that can increase the cost of painting your kitchen is the size of the room. If you have a large kitchen, it will take more paint to cover the walls and ceiling, which will increase the overall cost.
- Another factor that can play into the cost of painting your kitchen is whether or not you need to prep the surfaces before painting. This may include sanding down rough spots or filling in holes or cracks. The more prep work that needs to be done, the higher the price will be
- Finally, if you plan on hiring a professional painter to do the job, this will obviously add to the cost. But if you’re up for tackling the project yourself, there are ways to save on costs by doing some research and shopping around for deals on paint and supplies.
Things that can decrease the cost of painting your kitchen
Homeowners can save money on the cost of painting their kitchen by taking some simple steps
- First, homeowners should gather estimates from several different contractors before selecting one.
- Second, they should ask for discounts or coupons that may be available from the painting contractor or retailer.
- Third, they should select a time of year when painting contractors are not as busy, such as late fall or early spring.
- Fourth, they should choose a neutral paint color that will not require frequent touch-ups.
- Fifth, they should prepare the kitchen for painting by removing all belongings and covering surfaces with drop cloths or painters’ tape.
- Sixth, they should apply a primer to the walls before painting to help the paint adhere better and last longer.
Conclusion
The kitchen is the heart of any home, and it can make or break the appeal of your property. If your kitchen is looking a little dated, painting it is a cheap, easy way to renovate it without having to spend a lot of money. Whether you’re painting it to update the decor or you’re just painting over a dated color, you’ll have to factor in the cost of paint. The good news is that paint is inexpensive, and you can paint an entire kitchen for less than $500.