Kitchen and bathroom cabinets add valuable storage space to any home. Over time, cabinet doors may sag, become misaligned, or not open and close properly. Adjusting cabinet doors is an easy DIY project that can restore your cabinets to like-new condition. With some basic tools and these step-by-step instructions, you’ll have your cabinets looking great in no time.
Gather the Proper Tools
Adjusting cabinet doors doesn’t require many tools. At a minimum, you’ll need:
- A screwdriver – Phillips and flathead
- Pliers
- A hammer
- Shim stock
- Sandpaper
- Wood filler
- Painter’s tape
It’s also helpful to have:
- A drill with various drill bits
- Levels – A small 6″ level works well
- Cabinet door easing tool
Before starting, inspect all of your cabinet doors and drawers. Look for any loose or damaged hinges or pulls. Replace anything that’s broken to make the repair process easier.
Adjust Doors that Won’t Close
If you have cabinet doors that won’t close properly, the most likely problem is misaligned hinges. Cabinet hinges consist of two plates – one attached to the door and one to the cabinet frame. If these plates aren’t lined up correctly, the door can’t close right.
Follow these steps to realign the hinges:
1. Remove the Door
- Open the door and push the hinge lock toward the frame to release the door.
- Lift the door off the hinges and place it on a flat surface.
2. Loosen the Hinge Screws
- Use a screwdriver to loosen, but not fully remove, the screws holding the cabinet plate of the hinges. Only loosen them enough to allow the plate to move.
3. Realign the Hinge Plates
- With the cabinet door plate loose, you can now realign it with the plate on the cabinet frame.
- Close the door and make small adjustments until the hinge plates line up correctly.
4. Tighten the Hinge Screws
- Once aligned, tighten the hinge screws on the cabinet plate to hold it in the proper position.
5. Rehang the Door
- Lift the cabinet door back into place on the hinges. Make sure the hinge lock clicks to secure the door.
6. Test Closure
- Open and close the door several times to test the realignment. The door should now close smoothly without hitting the cabinet frame.
Fix Cabinet Doors that Won’t Stay Closed
Doors that pop open on their own are usually due to issues with the catch or striker plate. The catch is mounted on the inside of the cabinet frame, while the striker plate is on the cabinet door. Follow these tips if your doors won’t stay closed:
Adjust the Striker Plate
- Loosen the striker plate screws and move the plate up or down until it aligns with the catch correctly.
Adjust the Catch
- Use a screwdriver to move the catch up or down until it fits securely into the striker plate.
Bend the Catch
- If necessary, use pliers to give the catch a slight bend to improve the closure. Don’t over-bend it.
Add Magnets
- For stubborn doors, add small magnets to the door and frame to help keep them closed.
Fix Sagging Cabinet Doors
Over time, the weight of the cabinet door can cause hinges to sag. This leads to an uneven door that may scrape against the cabinet frame. Here is how to fix sagging doors:
1. Support the Door
- Have someone hold the door or place shims underneath to support the door while working.
2. Tighten Hinge Screws
- Use a screwdriver to tighten all of the hinge screws firmly. This may lift the door enough to stop the sag.
3. Remove Hinges
- If tightening the hinges doesn’t help, remove them completely from the cabinet frame.
4. Sand the Hinge Holes
- Use sandpaper to rough up the edges of the hinge holes on the door and frame. This gives the filler something to grip.
5. Fill the Hinge Holes
- Fill the holes with wood filler and allow it to dry completely.
6. Drill New Hinge Holes
- Referring to the hinge installation instructions, drill new hinge holes approximately 1/2″ above the original holes.
7. Reinstall Hinges
- Screw the hinges back into the new holes. Rehang the door and check for sagging.
How to Adjust Cabinet Drawers
Just like doors, drawers can also get out of alignment over time. Spotting the problem is the first step to adjusting them properly:
- Drawers that won’t open – Usually caused by misalignment between the drawer and the slides or tracks.
- Drawers that fall out – Indicates an issue with the slide locking mechanism or fit.
- Drawers that rub or stick – Typically a result of loose, uneven, or bent slides.
Here are tips for adjusting each type of troublesome drawer:
Adjust Drawers That Won’t Open
- Remove the drawer and inspect the slides. Look for any obstruction or damage.
- Make sure the drawer slides smoothly along the entire length of the slides.
- Adjust the rear clips holding the slides to the cabinet frame as needed.
- Use a rubber mallet or hammer and block of wood to gently tap the slides back into proper position if bent.
Fix Drawers That Fall Out
- Check that the locking tabs engage correctly on the slides. Pry up any flattened tabs.
- Adjust the slides forward or back so the locking tabs align properly when closed.
- Clean any dirt or debris out of the slides that may obstruct the locks.
Adjust Drawers That Stick or Bind
- Try lubricating slide channels with silicone spray. Open and close the drawer several times to distribute the lube.
- Look for any contact points between the drawer sides and cabinet interior. Pad those spots with felt strips.
- Make sure the cabinet is level. Shim underneath if necessary.
- Gently bend or tap slides to straighten any bends.
How to Adjust Misaligned Cabinet Doors
With cabinet doors that are slightly crooked or out of alignment, the hinges may not be the issue. Several other problems can cause misaligned doors:
Level the Cabinet
Cabinets that are not level can make doors appear warped or tilted. Use shims under the cabinet base until it is perfectly plumb and level.
Adjust the Cabinet Frame
If the cabinet itself has shifted, you may need to adjust the cabinet frame and/or side walls to square it up again.
Plane the Door
For solid wood doors that are slightly warped, use a power planer to remove material from the high side until straight.
Swap the Hinges
Changing the regular hinges to specialty hinges designed for alignment issues can help. Options include three-way adjustable, self-centering, and offset hinges.
Fill Gaps
Gaps between the door frame and cabinet can be filled with wood filler, sticks, or shims. Let filler dry completely, then sand flush and smooth.
How to Adjust Cabinet Shelves
Improperly installed shelves often end up uneven or tilted. Re-securing and leveling the shelf brackets is the key to fixing the problem.
1. Remove the Shelf
- Take everything off the shelf first. Then slide the shelf out of the grooves or unscrew the back brackets.
2. Loosen Brackets
- Slightly loosen the bracket screws – both wall anchors and cabinet frame brackets if used.
3. Level Each Bracket
- Use a small level to ensure each bracket is perfectly plumb and square.
4. Tighten the Brackets
- With the brackets leveled, tighten all bracket screws firmly. Be careful not to strip the screw holes.
5. Install the Shelf
- Slide the shelf back into place or reattach to the rear brackets, making sure it sits level without teetering.
6. Test the Shelf
- Place items back on the shelf and make sure it remains sturdy. Tighten screws further if needed.
Uneven shelves often just require minor re-leveling of the brackets. However, severely slanted shelves may need shims or new brackets to sit flush with the cabinet frame.
How to Adjust Euro-Style Cabinet Hinges
Euro or concealed cabinet hinges have a completely different adjustment process than standard hinges. Follow these steps to alter Euro hinges:
Up/Down Adjustment
- Turn the screw on the bottom of the hinge to raise or lower that side of the door.
In/Out Adjustment
- Turn the screw on the inside edge to bring that side of the door in or out.
Left/Right Adjustment
- Turn the screw on the backside to shift the door left or right.
Always make adjustments in small increments of about 1/8th of a turn. Check each adjustment and gradually make additional tweaks until the door aligns correctly.
How to Repair Broken Cabinet Hinges
It’s frustrating when cabinet hinges break, but replacing them is an easy fix:
1. Remove the Door
- Unscrew any remaining hinge hardware and detach the door. Remove broken hinge from door.
2. Purchase Replacement Hinges
- Take the broken hinge and cabinet measurements to the home improvement store. This ensures an identical fit.
3. Install New Hinges
- Screw the new hinges in place using the existing hardware. Refer to the manufacturer instructions as needed.
4. Rehang the Door
- Lift the door into position on the new hinges. Make adjustments so it aligns properly.
When buying replacement hinges, opt for better quality or soft-close hinges to prevent future issues. This is also a good chance to upgrade to concealed Euro hinges if desired.
How to Adjust Granite Cabinet Doors
Granite cabinetry has become very popular in kitchens due to its durability and elegance. However, the extra weight of granite doors makes hinge adjustment a bit trickier. Here are some tips:
- Have someone help support the weight of the door while making adjustments. Granite is heavy and can be unwieldy.
- Work slowly and gently when tapping hinges into place – the granite can crack if struck too hard.
- Look for heavy-duty, reinforced hinges rated for granite. Avoid smaller, lightweight hinges.
- Make sure all hinge and cabinet screws are tightened very firmly to support the excess weight without pulling loose.
- Pay attention to the balance point of the door – you want the hinges positioned so the door hangs evenly without tipping back.
- Granite doors may require specialty hinges like self-closing, soft-close dampers, or pivoting overlays.
Adjusting granite doors takes patience and care. But once properly aligned and supported, they’ll stay beautiful for years. Call in a handyman if the process proves too challenging.
How to Adjust Frameless Cabinet Doors
Also called European-style, frameless cabinets have recessed doors and drawers with no face frame. Adjusting the hinges requires accessing the hardware inside the cabinet:
1. Remove Door or Drawer
- Open fully and detach the door or drawer from the hinges. This exposes the interior cabinet hinges.
2. Loosen Hinge Screws
- Use a screwdriver to loosen the hinge screws enough to allow adjustments. Don’t detach fully.
3. Adjust Door Position
- Move the door up/down or left/right by turning hinge adjustment screws. Check alignment repeatedly.
4. Tighten Hinges
- When the door sits flush with the cabinet face, tighten all hinge screws securely.
5. Test Operation
- Reattach the door and test that it opens, closes, and aligns properly. Make any additional tweaks needed.
The difficulty is accessing the concealed hinges inside the cabinet. Use a flashlight and small screwdriver to see and reach the hinge screws. Be careful not to damage the cabinet interior while working inside.
How to Adjust Crooked Cabinet Drawer Fronts
With frameless cabinets, drawer fronts can also become misaligned over time. Here are tips for adjusting crooked drawer fronts:
- Remove the drawer to access the drawer box screws and slides.
- Loosen the screws attaching the drawer front to the drawer box.
- Align the drawer front so it sits straight within the cabinet opening.
- Drill new holes for the drawer front screws if needed for proper positioning.
- Reattach the drawer front using shims or washers to adjust its angle.
- Level the slides and ensure the drawer box fits snugly against the adjusted drawer front.
Always use care when working inside frameless cabinets – it’s easy to scratch the unfinished interior edges. Take your time adjusting the components and make incremental tweaks for the best alignment.
How to Adjust Cabinet Doors Around Obstructions
Working around appliances, pipes, moldings, or other obstructions makes cabinet door alignment tricky. Here are some tips:
- Consider specialty hinges like 90-degree fold-down hinges or 180-degree wrap-around hinges to avoid collisions.
- Install filler strips, cleats, or panels to create a flush surface for standard hinges to mount to.
- Use partial overlay hinges that allow doors to open wider without hitting walls.
- Notch or trim the cabinet doors as needed to clear obstructions – just be careful not to cut too deeply.
- Dremel out a recess on the door’s backside so it can open fully around pipes or moldings.
- If necessary, permanently remove problematic doors and leave that cabinet section open. Add shelves/drawers to retain functionality.
With severe clearance issues, you may need to remove, trim, or rehang the door in an altered way. Get creative with hinge placement and door design to work around challenging obstructions.
Cabinet Door Adjustment Tips and Tricks
Adjusting cabinet doors involves lots of trial and error testing. Keep these handy tips in mind:
- Work slowly when adjusting hinges and check alignment frequently. It’s easy to over-adjust and throw doors out of whack.
- Draw arrows on doors and cabinets to keep track of which direction you want to shift components.
- Number doors and take photos before removing to simplify the reinstallation process.
- Only loosen screws enough to allow movement – don’t detach everything completely.
- Use shims, sandpaper, wood glue, and filler to make minor adjustments as needed.
- Ensure cabinets and countertops are level before adjusting doors – it makes alignment easier.
- Look for worn hinge holes, sagging screws, cracked wood, and other issues that can prevent proper door alignment.
- Be prepared to fill old holes and drill new ones if original positions don’t work for realignment.
- Work in small increments – turning adjustment screws 1/8th of a turn at a time prevents overdoing it.
- Ask a helper to hold doors in place as you position them – much easier than repeatedly lifting heavy doors on your own.
With some common tools, patience, and these tips, you can tackle adjusting cabinet doors like a pro. Just take your time and don’t force things too aggressively. And remember – if the process proves overly frustrating, call in a carpenter to adjust the doors properly. While DIY adjustment can save money, some kitchen cabinets require a professional touch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adjusting Cabinet Doors
What’s the easiest way to adjust cabinet doors?
Start by slightly loosening the hinge screws on the cabinet side – just enough so the hinge plate can move. Then hold the door in the proper position while retightening the screws. This allows small alignment tweaks without fully removing the door.
Why do my cabinet doors keep slipping out of adjustment?
If doors keep shifting after adjusting, the cabinet frame may be warped. Try shimming under opposite corners until square. Worn out or loose hinges can also cause recurring issues. Replace deteriorated hardware.
Can I adjust cabinets without removing the doors?
On most traditional cabinets, the hinge plates are only accessible with the doors removed. But for frameless/Euro cabinets, you can adjust the concealed hinges with doors attached. Just open fully to access inside.
My doors rub at the top or bottom – how do I fix this?
Vertical rubbing is often due to sagging hinges. Try tightening the screws firmly or replace saggy hinges. If rubbing persists, remove doors and use wood filler or sanding to shave away material from the rubbing edge.
The door hits the wall before fully opening – now what?
Install self-centering or offset hinges to allow more clearance. Or notch out a section of the door edge with a Dremel tool to open wider. You can also detach the door, trim it with a circular saw, and rehang it narrower.
How do I keep doors aligned long-term after adjusting?
Be sure to tighten all hardware very securely. Consider upgrading standard hinges to soft-close hinges that self-align with use. Maintaining a level cabinet and avoiding overloading doors also prevents slipping out of adjustment.
Should I replace all the hinges or just the problem ones?
That’s up to you. Replacing all hinges ensures consistent strength and function. But you can get away with only swapping damaged hinges if the rest are in good shape. Mixing old and new hinges won’t affect adjustment.
Is it worth hiring a carpenter for help?
Basic hinge tweaks are usually DIY-friendly. But for more complex alignment issues or cabinet repairs, a professional carpenter has specialized tools and expertise. The cost may be warranted for kitchen remodels or expensive cabinetry needing adjustment.
