How Long Does It Take to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

How Long Does It Take to Paint Kitchen Cabinets? What to Expect from Start to Finish

When you decide to refresh your kitchen with painted cabinets, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: “How long will this take?”

It’s a fair question. Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and you want to know how long it will be out of commission. At Joyful Cabinet Painting, we understand the importance of minimizing disruption while delivering a flawless, factory-quality finish.

Typical Timeline: 5 to 7 Days

While every project is unique, most kitchens can be completed in about five to seven working days from start to finish. 

1. We will be in your home no more than 3 days to remove the doors and drawer fronts, complete any carpentry and paint the frames.  
2. You won’t have your doors for about a week but can use your kitchen the entire time
3. Installing the newly painted doors and drawers will take about 3-4 hours.

Day 1: Preparation and Setup

We begin by carefully labeling and removing all cabinet doors and drawers. Hardware is safely stored, and we protect your floors, countertops, and appliances.

Cleanliness is our top priority!

Days 1–3: Carpentry, In-Home Priming and Painting of Cabinet Boxes

If you require any carpentry such as new drawer boxes, crown molding or interior pullouts, we do this on the first day, along with removing your doors and drawer fronts.

While the doors are off-site, we clean, sand, and prime the cabinet boxes in your home.
We apply multiple coats of a Sherwin Williams Emerald paint which is designed for durability and easy cleaning. Our products are waterborne, low-odor and fast-drying, so you can use your kitchen during the project.

Days 1–5: Off-Site Spraying of Doors and Drawers

Your doors and drawers are taken to our climate controlled spray shop, where they undergo a meticulous cleaning, sanding, priming and painting process. This environment allows us to achieve a smooth, durable, factory-like finish.

Days 6 or 7: Reassembly and Touch-Ups

Once the doors and drawers receive their final coat, your doors and drawers return home. We reattach all hinges, install  pulls or knobs, ensure perfect alignment, and perform final quality checks. Small touch-ups and detailing ensure every surface looks flawless.

The BIG Reveal

This is our favorite part — watching your reaction when you see your “new” kitchen for the first time.

Most clients are amazed at how dramatically their space transforms, often saying it feels like a full remodel for a fraction of the cost and time.

A Faster, Cleaner, More Joyful Process

At Joyful Cabinet Painting, we’ve perfected a system that keeps your kitchen functional during the project and delivers professional results in about a week. You won’t be living in a construction zone for weeks or dealing with lingering paint odors.

If you’re ready to give your kitchen a fresh, modern look — without the downtime or expense of a full renovation — our team would love to help.