Kitchen Spraying vs New Kitchen: The True Cost Comparison

Kitchen renovation is one of the most expensive home improvements — and one of the most disruptive. In North London, a new fitted kitchen with quality units, integrated appliances, and installation can easily cost £15,000 to £50,000 or more. Kitchen cabinet spraying — professionally repainting the existing carcasses and doors with a factory-smooth spray finish — typically costs £1,500 to £4,000 for the same kitchen. This guide compares the two options honestly.

When Kitchen Spraying Makes Sense

Kitchen spraying is the right choice when:

• The carcasses are structurally sound: If the boxes, drawers, and hinges are all working properly, there is no structural reason to replace the kitchen. The cosmetic appearance is the only issue, and spraying addresses this completely.
• The layout works: If you are happy with where the units are positioned and the kitchen flows well, there is no reason to change the layout — which is what drives the complexity and cost of full replacements.
• You want a colour change: The most common driver for considering a new kitchen is a desire to change from dated oak or beige to a contemporary painted finish — precisely what spraying achieves, for a fraction of the cost.
• Minimum disruption is important: A full kitchen replacement takes two to four weeks and involves ripping everything out. Kitchen spraying, by contrast, typically takes two to three days with one to two days off-site while doors are sprayed, and the kitchen is usable throughout the rest of the process.

What Kitchen Spraying Involves

Hampstead Painting Company's kitchen spraying service involves:

• Removal of all doors, drawer fronts, and handles
• Preparation: sanding, degreasing, and priming of all surfaces
• Off-site spraying of doors and drawer fronts in our controlled spray environment — multiple coats of a specialist cabinet alkyd in the chosen colour
• On-site spraying or brush application of carcass panels and cabinets that cannot be removed
• Reinstallation of doors and drawers, fitting of new handles if required

The finish is a smooth, durable, factory-quality result — visually identical to a new painted kitchen.

True Cost Comparison (North London, 2026)

• Kitchen spraying (average 15–20 door fronts): £1,800–£3,500
• New mid-range fitted kitchen (supply and fit, North London): £12,000–£25,000
• New high-specification kitchen (supply and fit, North London): £25,000–£60,000+

The saving is substantial. In most cases, a beautifully sprayed kitchen in a contemporary colour — Farrow & Ball Hague Blue, Railings, or Calke Green; Little Greene Obsidian or Basalt — will look as impressive and feel as new as a replacement kitchen at a fraction of the price.

To discuss your kitchen transformation, request a free quote from Hampstead Painting Company.