Replace Cabinet Hinges
Replacing cabinet hinges can instantly update a drab set of cabinets. A wide variety of hinges are available online or at your local home improvement store.
Contents
Steps
Remove the Old Hinge
Removing the hinges will require removing the entire cabinet door. Make sure to mark your cabinet doors with post-it notes so that you place the doors in the proper location when you replace them.
- Unscrew the part of each hinge that attaches to the door. Use either a screwdriver or a drill with a screwdriver bit.
- Remove the door.
- Unscrew the part of each hinge that attaches to the cabinet frame using either a screwdriver or a drill.
- Remove the hinge from the cabinet frame.
Replace with the Same Type of Hinge
Replacing your old hinge with the same type of hinge, even if the decorative elements are different, will guarantee an easy repair.
- Take your old hinge to a home improvement store. Choose a new hinge with the same basic design.
- Make sure that the holes for the screws on your new hinge are the same distance apart as the holes for the screws on your old hinge.
- Screw the new hinges into the cabinet door using a screwdriver or drill.
- Ask an assistant to hold the cabinet door against the cabinet frame.
- Set the new hinges over the holes for the old hinges in the cabinet frame.
- Screw the new hinges to the cabinet frame.
Replace with a Different Type of Hinge
Replacing your old hinges with a different type of hinge requires a little more work. Your old hinge may leave markings in the cabinet door or on the cabinet frame. When you replace your hinges, you will have to make sure that the new hinges cover up those markings. Otherwise, you will have to repaint or re-stain the cabinet door and frame.
- Purchase new hinges at the home improvement store.
- Place a small line, using a pencil, at the center point where the old hinge attached to the door. The line should be slightly longer than the width of your new hinge and should be parallel to the bottom of the cabinet door.
- Place a small line, using a pencil, at the center point of where the old hinge attached to the cabinet frame. The line should be slightly longer than the width of your new hinge and should be parallel to the bottom of the cabinet frame.
- Line your new hinges up on your door. The lines that you marked on the door will mark the center point for your new hinges.
- Mark the locations where the screws will go using a pencil. Be sure to center the pencil mark within the framework of the hinge’s screw hole.
- Drill pilot holes into the cabinet door for each hinge.
- Screw the hinge to the door utilizing the pilot holes.
- Ask an assistant to hold the door of the cabinet against the cabinet frame.
- Center the hinges at the marks that you drew on the cabinet frame.
- Mark the locations for the pilot holes on the cabinet frame.
- Drill pilot holes into the cabinet frame for each hinge.
- Screw the hinge to the cabinet frame utilizing the pilot holes.
- Open and close the door to make sure that the new hinges are positioned correctly.
Tips
- In addition to switching out your hinges, change the kitchen cabinet door pulls. This will provide a nice facelift to your cabinets for a low cost.
Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver or a drill with screwdriver bit
- New cabinet hinges
- Screws
- Pencil
- Electric drill
