ArcaMax

Transform old laminate kitchen cabinets with a coat of paint, and you’ll be surprised at their new look and appeal. If they’re trimmed in wood, paint it the same color for a sleek, modern appearance. If you prefer new cabinet pulls and knobs, you’ll find them in a wide range of styles and finishes to complete the transformation.

This budget facelift takes more time than money because the project involves more than one application and drying time in between. That’s not to mention the major disruption and inconvenience if the kitchen is the center of your household. Another phase of the job is clearing all counter tops and washing the cabinet face surfaces so the primer and paint can adhere to the laminate. So before you consider the job, make sure you and your family are prepared for the inconvenience.

A painting contractor will charge $1,039 to prepare, prime and paint the exterior of 100-square-feet of wall and base cabinets. You can do the job for $250, the cost of the materials, and save 76%. That saving is well earned because the job, while not daunting, does require short sprints of work while the cabinets are being worked on.

Begin the job by removing the hardware, washing the surface with a degreaser, filling in any holes or indentations, and sanding the entire surface smooth. Then apply a coat of a bonding oil-based primer to all the surfaces and let it dry thoroughly. Then apply one or two topcoats of paint to finish the job. For good how-to information, ask the expert where you buy paint or go to www.sherwin-williams.com and type “how to paint laminate cabinets” in the search box.

Pro Cost: $1,039 — DIY Cost: $250 — Pro time: 10.0
DIY Time: 30.0 — DIY Savings: $789 — Percent Saved: 76%

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To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.

©2026 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.