Remove the broken cabinet hinge, match it to a new one, then fit and adjust the replacement so the door sits square.
KH-01Identify the hinge typeOpen the door and look at the hinge. Most UK kitchen units built since the 1980s use a concealed cup hinge — a round cup sunk into the door and a metal plate screwed to the cabinet side. Older units sometimes use flag hinges or exposed pivot hinges screwed to the door edge. Knowing the type tells you what to buy.
KH-02Check the damage and gather toolsLook for a cracked cup, a snapped spring, or screws that have pulled out of soft chipboard. You'll need a screwdriver (usually Phillips or Pozidriv), the new hinge, and possibly wood filler or cocktail sticks if the screw holes are stripped. Lay a towel on the worktop to catch dropped screws.
1 each · Screwdriver (Pozidriv or Phillips, size 2)
KH-03Remove the doorMost concealed hinges have a small release lever or catch on the mounting plate — press or slide it and the door lifts straight off. If there's no lever, undo the two screws holding the mounting plate to the cabinet instead. Set the door down flat on the towel.
KH-04Take out the broken hingeUnscrew the hinge cup from the door and the mounting plate from the cabinet if it's also damaged. Keep the old hinge — you'll need it for matching sizes in the next step. Note how many screws held it and whether the holes look worn or oversized.
KH-05Match and buy the replacementTake the old hinge to a hardware shop or measure it yourself: cup diameter (usually 26mm or 35mm), the opening angle stamped on the arm (commonly 90°, 110° or 170°), and whether it's a straight, half-crank or full-crank arm for the door overlay. Buy an exact match — mismatched hinges won't sit flush or close properly.
1 each · Concealed cabinet hinge (matched type and size)
KH-06Fit the new hinge to the doorPress the new hinge cup into the existing hole in the door and screw it down using the original holes where possible. If a hole is stripped and the screw spins without gripping, pack it with a little wood filler or a snapped-off cocktail stick dipped in wood glue, let it firm up for a few minutes, then re-drive the screw. Don't overtighten — chipboard strips easily.
KH-07Fit the mounting plate and rehang the doorScrew the mounting plate back onto the cabinet in the same position as before, using the old screw holes if they're still sound. Clip or hook the door's hinge arm onto the mounting plate — most click into place, then you push the release lever shut to lock it.
4 each · Cabinet screws (if originals are damaged)
KH-08Adjust the door to sit squareConcealed hinges have small adjustment screws: one moves the door left-right, one moves it in-out (depth), and one moves it up-down (height). Turn each a little at a time and check the gap around the door against its neighbours until it's even and closes flush.
KH-09Test and tidy upOpen and close the door several times to check it swings freely and the catch or soft-close (if fitted) still works. Wipe down the door and cabinet, and put any spare screws in a labelled bag in case you need them again.
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