Kitchen cabinets play a crucial role in both the functionality and aesthetics of your kitchen. Well-aligned cabinet doors and hinges not only enhance the overall look of your space but also ensure smooth operation. Over time, wear and tear can cause some cabinet doors to become misaligned or hinges to loosen. The good news is that you don’t have to be a professional to make these adjustments and keep your cabinets looking brand new! The kitchen cabinetry experts at Kloter Farms are here to walk you through the steps on how to adjust your kitchen cabinet doors and hinges to keep your kitchen looking and working its best.
Gather Tools to Make Adjustments
So, how do you adjust kitchen cabinet doors? The first step is to make sure you have all the necessary tools in your tool box. For simple, routine adjustments you’ll need to have a Phillips and flathead screwdriver, a level, and a measuring tape.
Create an Adjustment Schedule
Plan to perform routine checks and adjustments every six months or whenever you notice issues with cabinet door alignment or operation. Of course, this all depends on personal usage! If you are frequently in and out of your cabinetry, you’ll likely need to perform adjustments more often. Whereas an infrequent kitchen user will need less alterations.
Additionally, you’ll want to keep an eye on your cabinetry. Regularly inspect your cabinet doors for misalignment, sticking, or any issues with their operation.
Cabinet Door Adjustments
If you have specific problems with your cabinetry, you may be wondering how to adjust kitchen cabinet doors that won’t close and how to adjust your kitchen cabinet hinges. There is an easy solution to each.
Side-to-Side Adjustment:
Check the alignment of the cabinet doors with adjacent doors or the cabinet frame. If a door is misaligned, open it and locate the screws on the hinge plate attached to the cabinet frame. Loosen the screws slightly on the hinge that needs adjustment. Gently push or pull the door left or right to align it properly. Close the door to check the alignment and adjust as needed. Tighten the screws once the door is aligned.
Vertical Adjustment:
Check if the doors are at the same height or if one is higher or lower than the other. Open the cabinet door and locate the screws on the hinge plate attached to the cabinet frame. Loosen the screws on the top and bottom hinges slightly. To raise the door, tighten the screw on the bottom hinge while loosening the top screw. To lower the door, do the opposite. Close the door to check the alignment and adjust as needed. Tighten the screws once the alignment is correct.
For either fix, you’ll want to be sure that the doors open and close smoothly. If you notice sticking or resistance, adjustments might be needed. Check for any obstructions inside the cabinet that might be causing the door to rub against them. If the issue persists, adjust the screws on the hinge arm attached to the cabinet door to fine-tune the movement.
After you finish up your repairs and adjustments, you may notice some holes or scratches. There is an easy fix for this! Use a wood putty to fill holes and touch up scratches. Sand and paint over the putty for a seamless finish.
Looking Good as New!
Adjusting your kitchen cabinet doors and hinges might seem intimidating at first, but with the right tools and a bit of patience, it’s a manageable DIY task. If you are unsure about making adjustments, or need to check on your wood style or stain variety, consult Kloter Farms! Our experts are here to help you through any issues that you may have with your kitchen cabinetry. Plus, we keep detailed records of your order and can help you color match and make fixes over time.
