How to Easily Adjust Your Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Many people don’t realize that their kitchen cabinet doors are often easily adjustable! Whether your cabinet doors are misaligned, sticking, or not closing properly, adjusting them can be a fairly straightforward process. We’ll show you how in just a few minutes you can get your cabinet doors looking and functioning just right.

Common Issues For Kitchen Cabinet Doors

There are several reasons why your kitchen cabinet doors may need adjustment:

• Misalignment: Cabinet doors can shift out of alignment, causing them to hang unevenly.
• Uneven Gaps: Over time, the gaps between doors may widen or shrink, creating an uneven look.
• Poor Closing: If your cabinet doors don’t close properly or seem to stick, it’s usually a sign that an adjustment is needed.

Addressing these issues not only improves the functionality of your cabinets but stops additional wear and can also boost the overall look of your kitchen.

Tools You’ll Need

Before you start adjusting your cabinet doors, make sure you have the following tools:

• Screwdriver (Typically a Phillips or flathead, depending on your cabinet hinges)
• Level (To ensure the doors are aligned properly)
• Measuring Tape (For precise adjustments and maintaining consistent gaps)
• Pen or Pencil (To mark areas for adjustment)
• Shims (optional, but helpful for some types of hinges)

Step-by-Step Guide to Adjusting Your Cabinet Doors

Adjusting your kitchen cabinet doors can be done with just a few simple steps that will vary depending on your hinge style. Follow these steps, and you should be able to restore your cabinet doors to their proper alignment.

1. Identify the Problem

Before making any adjustments, it’s important to pinpoint the issue. Here are some common problems you might notice:

• Uneven Gaps: If the gap between doors is inconsistent, or the gap between a door and the cabinet frame is too wide or narrow, you’ll need to adjust the hinges.
• Doors Not Closing Properly: If a door doesn’t close all the way or sticks, the door hanging at an incorrect angle.
• Sagging Doors: If the door appears to be sagging, the hinges may need adjustment vertically to bring it back to its correct position.

2. Loosen the Hinge Screws

To make any necessary adjustments, you may need to loosen the screws that attach the hinges to the cabinet and the door. Some hinges might require loosening for movement in certain directions and have an adjustment screw for others (see the example below). Do not completely remove them—just loosen them enough so you can move the door slightly. Be careful not to over-loosen the screws, as this may cause the hinges to become unstable.

3. Adjust the Door’s Position

Once the screws are loosened, you can begin adjusting the door. There are typically three areas to focus on when making adjustments:

• Side to Side: If the door is crooked, you can move it left or right. If the gap between the door and the adjacent door or cabinet frame isn’t even, shift the door to align it properly.
• Up and Down: If the door is hanging too high or too low, you can adjust the hinges to raise or lower the door.
• In and Out: For a door that sticks out too much or doesn’t sit flush against the frame, you can adjust the hinge depth. You’ll likely find a screw on the hinge plate that controls this adjustment.

4. Check and Adjust the Gap

One of the most common issues with cabinet doors is uneven gaps, either between two doors or between the door and the cabinet frame. After adjusting the position of the door, use a measuring tape to check the gaps. A small level can also help to ensure the door is aligned properly both vertically and horizontally.

• Even Gaps: The gaps between the door and the frame (or between two doors) should be consistent all the way around. If they’re not, you can adjust the screws on the hinge plate to close or widen the gap as needed.
• Symmetry: If you have two doors next to each other, it’s important that the gap between them is the same along the entire vertical length to avoid rubbing. Make small adjustments to both doors until they align.

5. Tighten the Screws

Once you’ve adjusted the door to your satisfaction, carefully tighten the screws back into place. Make sure the door is still aligned properly as you do this, as tightening the screws can sometimes shift the door slightly.

6. Test the Door

Open and close the door several times to ensure it functions smoothly. Check that it doesn’t rub against other doors or the frame, that it opens and closes without resistance, and that it stays closed without any gaps. If necessary, make further small adjustments until everything feels just right.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some common issues you might encounter during the adjustment process and how to solve them:

• The door still doesn’t close properly: If the door still sticks out after adjusting, you may need to adjust the hinge closer to the cabinet frame. If the hinge is damaged or worn, replacing it may be the best solution.
• The door is misaligned after tightening the screws: This can happen if the screws were tightened too quickly or unevenly. Loosen them slightly and re-adjust the door before tightening again.
• The gaps between two doors aren’t even: If two doors are not aligned properly, adjusting the side-to-side position of both doors should help. Make sure you’re adjusting both doors evenly to avoid uneven gaps.

Final Tips

• Take your time: Small adjustments can make a big difference, so don’t rush the process. Make sure the doors are aligned perfectly before tightening the screws.
• Use shims if necessary: If the door is slightly out of alignment, shimming the hinge with a small piece of cardboard or plastic can help make the adjustment.
• Check the hinges: If you’ve made several adjustments and the door still doesn’t close properly, consider checking the hinges for wear and tear. Sometimes, replacing old hinges is the best option.

Adjusting your kitchen cabinet doors is a simple yet effective way to improve both the look and functionality of your kitchen. Whether you’re dealing with uneven gaps, doors that don’t close properly, or misalignment, following these steps will help you get your doors back in top shape. With just a few basic tools and a little patience, you’ll have your cabinet doors operating smoothly and looking great in no time!

Ready for a refresh of your Kitchen? If you are in the Twin Cities Area let us help you!