Step-by-Step: How to Adjust Old Cabinet Door Hinges

Cabinet doors that won’t close all the way or hang unevenly can be a hassle. Thankfully, instead of replacing the cabinet doors or calling a professional, there is a simple DIY adjustment that can take just a few minutes with minimal tools. In this guide, you learn how to adjust cabinet door hinges.

Know Your Hinge Type

Before making hinge adjustments, identify what type of hinge you are dealing with. Modern cabinets have either European hinges or hidden hinges. Older cabinets will have visible butt hinges or overlay hinges. European hinges have adjustment screws built right in, making them incredibly user-friendly for DIY fixes.

Gather Your Simple Toolkit

You will need very few items to solve this problem.

• Phillips head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver (optional)
• Pencil for marking
• Level (smartphone apps work great)
• About 10-15 minutes of your time

If you have a screwdriver at home, you won’t need to spend any money to adjust your cabinet doors. Even if you need to purchase the tools, the total won’t exceed $10.

How to Adjust Old Cabinet Door Hinges: The Three Directions

European hinges allow adjustments in three directions, giving you complete control over door positioning.

Side-to-Side Adjustments

Notice a gap between your door and cabinet frame? The side screw (usually the one closest to the door) controls lateral movement. Turn it clockwise to move the door away from the cabinet frame, or counterclockwise to bring it closer. Make small quarter-turn adjustments and check your progress frequently.

Up and Down Adjustments

For doors that don’t align horizontally with neighboring doors, you’ll adjust the mounting plate screws. These are the screws that attach the hinge to the cabinet frame itself. Slightly loosen these screws, shift the door up or down as needed, then tighten them back securely. Pro tip: support the door’s weight while making this adjustment to prevent it from dropping.

Depth Adjustments (In and Out)

The depth screw, typically the rear screw on the hinge, pulls the door closer to or pushes it away from the cabinet. This adjustment is crucial when doors stick out too far or sink too deep into the frame.

Fixing Common Cabinet Door Problems

Doors that won’t close completely: This usually means the door is hitting the frame. Adjust the depth screw to pull the door slightly away from the cabinet box. You might also need a side-to-side tweak.

Crooked or uneven doors: Use your level to identify which direction needs correction, then make small adjustments to the corresponding screws on both hinges.

Gaps between double doors: When you have two doors that meet in the middle, adjust the side screws on both doors equally until they align perfectly with just a slight gap between them.

Working with Traditional Hinges

If you’re dealing with older butt hinges, your approach differs slightly. You may need to tighten loose screws, add cardboard shims behind the hinge to adjust depth, or slightly bend the hinge itself for minor corrections. Sometimes replacing stripped screws with slightly larger ones solves persistent problems.

Keep Them Working Smoothly

After making your adjustments, test each door multiple times. Open and close it from different angles to ensure smooth operation. A tiny drop of lubricant on the hinge mechanism once a year keeps everything moving freely.

Get Professional Results Without the Professional Price

You’ve just saved yourself a service call and learned a valuable homeowner skill. These simple adjustments can completely transform how your kitchen looks and functions without spending a dime.

Need help with bigger cabinet projects or kitchen renovations? The experts at Zicklin Contracting can handle everything from minor repairs to complete kitchen makeovers. Reach out today for a free consultation.