Concealed cabinet hinges allow you to place all the focus on your cabinet door finish and design without any hinge hardware sticking out. These hinges are an excellent choice for face-frame or frameless cabinets, and they work well with full overlay, partial overlay, and inset doors—all while keeping your cabinet hinges hidden.
Installing cabinet hinges is easy enough that any beginner can take on the task with just a couple of hours to spare. Here’s everything you need to know about installing concealed cabinet door hinges.
What are Concealed Hinges?
Concealed cabinet door hinges are commonly referred to as European hinges. This type of hardware is designed to be hidden when cabinet doors are closed, offering a clean, seamless appearance. The hinges work with inset and overlay cabinets. Many concealed hinges are also available as soft-close hinges, which are ideal for kitchens and bathrooms.
Soft-close hinges are designed with a specific mechanism used to reduce noise caused by slamming door shuts. This can make your cabinet doors last longer and be more aesthetically pleasing. It's also a better option for households with small children since fingers are less likely to get slammed in the door.
Tools and Materials You Need
For convenience, you’ll want to get all your tools and materials in order before you start working with your cabinet doors. When installing cabinet hinges, always start by choosing quality concealed hinges. To get started on finding the best hidden hinges for your doors, you can explore our inventory of cabinet hardware.
Once you have chosen durable hinges, you’ll need the following tools for your concealed cabinet door hinge installation:
- Combination square
- Pencil
- Power drill
- Drill bit for pilot holes
- Phillips drill bit for screws
- A 35-millimeter Forstner bit
- Pozidriv screwdriver
How To Install Concealed Hinges on Cabinets
With the right tools and enough patience, anybody can replace or install hidden hinges on their cabinet doors. Each door will only take about 30 minutes. You’ll be finished installing your cabinet hinges in a matter of hours with just a few simple steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide for installing concealed hinges:
Step One: Measure and Mark Your Door
Concealed cabinet door hinges are constructed in two parts—the cup and the mounting plate. First, you will need to prepare the door for installing the cup by measuring the door for the proper position.
On the back of the door, use the combination square to draw a line parallel with the edge of the hinge side corners, 7/8 of an inch away from the side. Then mark a perpendicular line 3 1/2 inches from the top and bottom edges of the door.
Step Two: Drill Holes for The Hinge Cups
Hidden cabinet hinges attach to the door with the cup attached flush to the door, so you’ll need to use the Forstner bit to drill a 1/2-inch-deep hole at the intersection of the measurement lines. Blow all the wood shavings out of the hole so you can check the fit of the hinge cup. Drill a hole in two corners of each door.
Step Three: Install the Hinges Into the Door
After drilling all the holes, set the hinge cups in the holes. Pre-drill holes lined up with the holes in the hinges, and then drill the screws to attach the hinges. You can use a straight edge or a square to ensure the hinge remains straight before drilling.
Step Four: Measure and Mark the Cabinet Boxes
Breaking out the combination square again, you’ll need to mark on the cabinet boxes where the mounting plate will go. Mark a vertical line on the inside of the cabinet 2 1/4 inches from the edge of the boxes—account for a 1/16-inch gap between the door and the cabinet boxes in your measurements. Then, make a perpendicular line 3 1/2 inches from the top and bottom of the cabinet boxes.
Step Five: Install the Mounting Plate on the Cabinet
This step is easiest when you separate the mounting plate from the hinge. Line up the plate so that two screw holes follow the vertical line, and the third screw hole is positioned on the horizontal line closer to the back of the cabinet box. Drill pilot holes with the drill bit, then fasten the hinge with the three screws. Follow these steps for each hinge.
Step Six: Hang the Cabinet Doors
The last step is the easiest. To hang the doors on the boxes, hook the hinges back onto the mounting plates with the door in an open position. Simply press the bar against the mounting plate and close the door to see the result.
Final Check & Tips
Once you've installed the hidden cabinet hinges, you'll want to ensure the doors work properly and do a final inspection. Some common issues homeowners run into when installing concealed hinges include:
- Doors won't close all the way
- The gaps are uneven
- The hinges are noisy when you open and close the door
- Doors are sagging, drooping, or feel wobbly
To check for these common problems, you'll want to open and close each cabinet door to ensure it is closed properly. If something doesn't seem right, you may need to make a few final adjustments to get the perfect finish. Don’t worry – this is more common than you might think!
How to Adjust Your Door For Common Mistakes
Here’s how you can adjust for common mistakes after installing concealed hinges:
- Up and Down – If the cabinet door has a gap either above or below the door, you’ll need to adjust it using the screwdriver to adjust the middle screw. Turn the screw clockwise to bring the door up and counterclockwise to bring it down.
- In and Out – If the door is not sitting flush against the cabinet box, adjust the rear screw of the hinge to bring the edge of the door closer to the cabinet.
- Side to Side – If there is a gap on either side of the door, then you need to adjust the front screw. Turn it clockwise to bring the hinge side closer to the cabinets or counterclockwise to bring the hinge away from the cabinet.
Install Cabinet Doors With Hidden Hinges
Installing concealed cabinet door hinges is a simple, straightforward process when you have professional guidance. All you need is the right tools, quality replacement hinges, and a little bit of patience!
CabinetDoors.com is a trusted supplier of high-quality hardware and custom-made cabinet doors. We have an always-growing collection of cabinet door styles and a full inventory of kitchen cabinet hinges and hardware. We also offer free online resources to help guide you through installation. Explore our hardware collection today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there different types of concealed hinges?
Yes, there are over seven different types of concealed cabinet hinges. The most popular option for kitchen or bathroom cabinets is a soft-close hinge. This type of concealed hinge helps prevent the door from slamming shut, which can help reduce noise and damage.
Are there any disadvantages to concealed hinges?
Concealed cabinet hinges tend to be more expensive than traditional hinges. Depending on the hinge and door type, there may also be a limited range of motion. Some concealed cabinet hinges won't allow for a full 180-degree opening, making it more challenging to keep up with general cleaning and maintenance.
Can you use concealed hinges with overlay cabinets?
Yes, these are incredibly versatile and can work on inset or overlay cabinet doors.