Fit and adjust butt hinges so a cupboard door opens smoothly and sits flush, without drilling into walls.
HD-01Check the door and clear your workspaceLay the door on a flat surface or workbench and check it isn't warped or split. Confirm the hinge edge is square and free of old paint or filler that could throw off your measurements. Lay down an old sheet or dust sheet to catch shavings and keep screws from rolling away.
HD-02Mark the hinge positions on the doorFor a standard cupboard door, position hinges about 150mm from the top and bottom edges, with any third hinge centred between them on taller doors. Hold a hinge against the door edge and mark its length with a pencil, then use a combination square to carry the line square across the edge and onto the face.
HD-03Score the hinge outlineSet a marking gauge to the width of the hinge flap and score a line along the door edge between your top and bottom marks. This gives you a crisp, accurate line to chisel to and stops the wood grain tearing out as you cut.
HD-04Chop out the hinge recess in the doorMake a series of shallow, angled cuts across the recess with a chisel, working within your scored lines, then pare out the waste flat and level. Depth should match the thickness of the hinge flap exactly, so the hinge sits flush with the surrounding wood — check with the hinge itself as you go rather than guessing.
HD-05Screw the hinge into the doorSit the hinge in its recess and check it's flush and square before marking screw positions through the fixing holes. Drill a small pilot hole for each screw so the wood doesn't split, then drive the screws home without overtightening — the hinge should sit dead flat.
HD-06Mark and cut the matching recess on the cabinet frameHold the door in its closed position against the cabinet opening, propped level with thin packing pieces or wedges, and mark the hinge positions straight onto the frame. Score and chisel these recesses the same way as the door, checking the hinge sits flush each time.
HD-07Fix the hinges to the frame and hang the doorWith the door supported, fold the hinges into their recesses and pilot-drill one screw hole per hinge first. Check the door swings freely and sits flush before adding the remaining screws — this way you can still make small adjustments if something's off.
HD-08Check the swing and adjustOpen and close the door fully, checking it doesn't bind, drop, or leave an uneven gap around the frame. If it's slightly out, loosen the screws on one hinge and pack behind it with a sliver of card, or deepen a recess very slightly with the chisel if the door sits too far out.
HD-09Fit the handle and catchMark and drill for the handle or knob, checking it lines up with any others on neighbouring doors. Fit a magnetic catch or the cabinet's existing catch mechanism so the door stays shut cleanly.
HD-10Tidy upSweep up wood shavings and offcuts, and wipe down the door and frame with a dry cloth. Give the door a final open-and-close check once everything's tightened, and touch up any bare wood with a matching wax or paint if needed.