Dated kitchen but solid cabinets? Painting them can deliver a “new kitchen” look for roughly 15–30% of the cost of replacement. Here is how to decide.
Cost comparison
- Professional cabinet painting: about $3,500–$8,500 for an average GTA kitchen.
- New cabinets (installed): often $15,000–$40,000+ once you add removal, countertops and backsplash work.
Paint them if…
- The cabinet boxes and doors are solid wood or MDF and in good structural shape.
- You like your layout and countertops.
- You want a quick turnaround — most kitchens are done in about a week.
Replace them if…
- Boxes are water damaged, sagging or falling apart.
- Doors are peeling thermofoil — it does not hold paint reliably.
- You want a totally different layout.
How to make painted cabinets last
Durability comes down to the process: thorough degreasing, scuff sanding, a high-adhesion bonding primer and two coats of a hard-curing cabinet enamel, ideally sprayed. Skipping any step is why some painted cabinets chip. Read more on our cabinet painting page.
Trending cabinet colours
Warm whites, sage and olive greens, deep navy and moody charcoal are all big right now — two-tone kitchens (dark lowers, light uppers) are a great way to try a bold colour.
Curious about your kitchen? Get a free rough estimate or call 416-786-1621.