Fix a broken cabinet hinge
Save £30–60 in 20 mins — no carpenter needed
Most people call a carpenter for this. You probably don't need to.
Last updated: March 2025
Only basic tools needed — most homes already have them.
Before you start
Most kitchen and bathroom cabinets use concealed cup hinges — the kind with a large round cup pressed into the door. These are designed to be adjusted and replaced without tools beyond a screwdriver.
Before buying a new hinge, try the adjustment screws. Most drooping or misaligned cabinet doors just need a small tweak with a cross-head screwdriver — no new parts required.
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Tools & materials
- ✓Cross-head screwdriver— for all hinge screws
- !Replacement hinge— buy — take the old hinge to match the cup diameter, usually 35mm, and the arm length
Want everything in one go?
Prices shown on retailer sites. Always check current pricing before purchasing.
Identify the hinge type
Modern kitchen cabinets use concealed cup hinges. Older furniture may use butt hinges (flat, visible on the door edge). This guide covers cup hinges — the most common type.
Most people get this done in under 5 minutes.
Where beginners go wrong
Buying a replacement before trying the adjustment screws — most sagging doors just need a half-turn.
Buying the wrong cup size — 35mm is standard but not universal. Take the old hinge to match it.
Overtightening — the screws seat into soft MDF in most flat-pack cabinets. Use firm but gentle pressure.
Stop and call a carpenter if...
The screw holes in the door are completely stripped and the wood is crumbling
Multiple hinges have failed on the same cabinet — may indicate the cabinet is damaged beyond repair
Cost breakdown
Recommended starter kit
Five tools that cover most home repairs.
- →Adjustable spannerAmazon·Screwfix
- →Screwdriver setAmazon·Screwfix
- →PTFE tapeAmazon·Screwfix
- →Spirit levelAmazon·Screwfix
- →Tape measureAmazon·Screwfix
Want everything in one go? Get it on Amazon
What you just learned
You now understand how concealed cup hinges work and how to adjust them. This applies to every kitchen, bathroom, and wardrobe cabinet with this hinge type — which is most of them.
Most people would pay a tradesperson for this.
⚠️ Watch out if you rent
Cabinet hinges in a rented property are the landlord's responsibility to fix. Adjusting hinges is harmless maintenance; replacing a hinge is a minor repair your landlord should fund — report it in writing first.