Repainting kitchen cabinets vs fitting budget kitchen units

Is repainting kitchen cabinets cheaper than refitting with budget kitchen units?

Is your kitchen looking a bit tired? Or are you just tired of it! Either way, cost of renovating a kitchen is very much on your mind right now. Refurbishing and updating a kitchen is (as well all know) expensive. It’s not just repainting kitchen cabinets or fitting new units after all!

Kitchen remodel cost can run to thousands of pounds when you factor in the cost of removing the old kitchen, tiling, plumbing, appliances and professional labour.

But what if you’re satisfied with most parts of your kitchen and just want to upgrade the kitchen cabinets? You can do this, over a weekend and on a tight budget by either opting for cheap kitchen cabinets or refreshing your existing cabinets with a coat of paint. This guide outlines cost of renovating a kitchen for spring summer 2025 season.

Keep your kitchen remodel cost down by choosing the best option for your space. 

The most cost-effective option depends on several factors, including:

• Kitchen Size – Larger kitchens will benefit from repainting, while smaller kitchens can be refitted more affordably. See examples of complete small kitchen cabinet sets from £349.95 here.

• Cabinet Condition – If your cabinets are structurally sound, repainting can be a budget-friendly solution.

However if kitchen cabinets are water-damaged or very worn repainting will lead to poor finish and replacement will be the better choice.

• Your Skill Set – If you’re confident in DIY painting or installation, you can save significantly on labour costs.

• Time Availability – Repainting requires time and patience, while a refit may be quicker if done professionally.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your budget, skills, and how much time you can commit to the project. Below image shows repainted kitchen cabinets in Zinsser Allcoat vs our Nora Navy Dark Blue Budget Kitchen Unis.

If you think you are likely to take on cabinet painting than read our Guide to Painting Kitchen Cabinets

The Size of Your Kitchen

The larger the kitchen, the more cost-effective it becomes to apply TLC improvements such as repainting cabinets, using Dunelm self-adhesive tiles on splashbacks or flooring, upgrading handles, and /or repairing minor damage.

• Professional Spray Painting: Having a medium to large kitchen (20 units) spray-painted professionally costs around £1,000-£1,200, depending on your location. Upgrading handles and hinges may add an extra £100–£200. Total cost £1,100 – £1,400.

• DIY Cabinet Painting: If you choose to paint the cabinets yourself, for around 20 units expect to spend £200–£300 on materials, along with 4–7 full days of labour. The final finish will depend on your skill level. Upgrading handles and hinges may add an extra £100–£200. Total cost £300 – £500.

• Kitchen Refit Costs:

Medium to Large Kitchen – Replacing 20 kitchen units costs approximately £1,500 for the budget friendly units, excluding worktops and any custom modifications. A professional fitter may charge £1,500–£2,000 for installation, though this varies by location. If you can complete the project yourself, the cost is essentially free, aside from materials. Total cost £1,500 – £3.500.

Small to Medium Kitchen – Replacing 5-7 kitchen units costs approximately £350 – £600 for the budget friendly units, this does not include worktops. A professional fitter may charge £500–£800 for assembly and installation. If you can install yourself, it’s free, aside from materials. Total cost £350 – £1,400.

If you have carpentry and plumbing skills, you’re at an advantage—doing the work yourself will save you a significant amount. In that case, you may even consider investing in brand-new units rather than refurbishing your existing kitchen!

Cost vs. Finish: Is a Small Kitchen Refit More Affordable?

When comparing costs, final finish, and usability, refitting a small kitchen with affordable new units may be the more cost-effective option.

Straight-line kitchen layouts with freestanding appliances are the easiest to refit, as there are complete kitchen packages available for fast delivery. These pre-designed complete kitchen cabinet sets typically include all essential components, such as cabinet carcasses, doors, hinges, handles, and plinths, meaning the only additional item required is the worktop, which needs to be sourced separately.

Here are some budget-friendly kitchen furniture solutions to consider:

For those seeking affordable kitchen cabinets for small spaces like kitchenettes, the Nela complete kitchen cabinet set  is a great option. This set includes five units, covering 180cm, and is available for £349.95, making it a budget-friendly choice for a compact kitchen upgrade.

An industrial-style kitchen can be easily achieved with the Clara kitchen cabinet set, designed for a 180cm space, making it an excellent choice for small kitchens or kitchenettes. The Clara set is typically in stock and available for delivery within 7 days, ensuring a quick and stylish upgrade. Additional units can be purchased to fit out larger kitchens.  Cost of a 5 unit set is £474.95 plus delivery.

Shaker cabinets in a dark grey finish are a timeless and highly popular choice. The Junona grey shaker kitchen set, consisting of 7 units, is designed to fit neatly within a 240cm space, including a 60cm oven gap. This stylish and practical set is available for £579.95 plus delivery.

Assessing the Condition Before Cabinet Painting

If your cabinets have broken hinges, damaged handles, cracks in the surface, or peeling laminate, they may not be suitable for repair. Minor damage can sometimes be fixed, but achieving a high-quality finish requires time, effort, and carefully sourcing compatible hardware such as hinges and handles.

Replacing damaged plinths or other kitchen parts will likely involve multiple trips to the DIY store. This a mission to find suitable MDF or timber materials, which then need to be cut and painted. While repairs are technically possible, they can be extremely time-consuming, and material costs can quickly add up.

In many cases, replacement may be the better option. Especially when considering the balance between repair costs, final results, and long-term durability compared to the functionality and aesthetic appeal of newly fitted kitchen units.

Assessing Your Skill Set

If you’re a keen and capable DIYer, you have a major advantage—professional labour costs can be expensive. If you can properly prep, repair, and repaint your existing cabinets, your main expenses will be paint and replacement hardware, making it a highly cost-effective option.

Similarly, if you have carpentry skills with a basic understanding of plumbing, installing new kitchen units can be a money-saving breeze.

However, it’s crucial to be honest about your abilities. Many start projects with confidence, only to realise halfway through that this is much more then they have bargained for. Often our own work isn’t meeting their desired standard due to lack of experience or practice. At that point, turning back may not be an option, and hiring a professional to fix mistakes could become costly.

Before committing, evaluate whether you have the time, patience, and expertise to complete the project successfully.

Considering Your Time Availability

Repainting kitchen cabinets requires significant time and patience, whereas a kitchen refit can be much quicker if done professionally. For a medium to large kitchen of around 20 units, a DIY painting project could take 4 to 7 full days of labour. Of course this is depending on your skill level and the starting condition of your cabinets.

Many people underestimate the time commitment of DIY projects. While the initial enthusiasm is high, daily life often gets in the way, so simple tasks may take much longer. This can lead to unfinished, half-painted kitchens lingering for weeks or even months.

Before starting, carefully assess your schedule and whether you genuinely enjoy the tasks involved. Do you suspect you won’t be able to complete the project within a reasonable timeframe? Hiring a professional kitchen sprayer or investing in new budget kitchen units may be a more practical and stress-free solution.

Repainting kitchen cabinets vs refitting budget units: The Verdict

So has this helped to weigh the pros and cons of each option? Repainting kitchen cabinets is certainly cheaper if you have a large kitchen space, good DIY skills, time and patience. For small kitchens and kitchenettes it might be more affordable to refit with new budget kitchen units, especially of you can do a lot of the work yourself.

Have you now decided that cabinet painting is the right choice for you? Be sure to check out our Guide to Painting Kitchen Cabinets for expert tips, paint recommendations and step-by-step instructions. Below is an example of kitchen cabinets repainted in Rust-Oleum Serenity.