Kitchen hinge problems usually show up after the doors are fitted: uneven gaps, doors hitting the next cabinet, soft-close not working, or a corner door that cannot open properly. The fix is to identify the cabinet and door position before ordering hinges, not after.
Kitchen cabinet hinge types table
| Hinge type | Where it is used | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Full overlay concealed hinge | Door covers most of the cabinet side or end panel | Common on many modern frameless kitchen units. Check overlay amount and plate height. |
| Half overlay concealed hinge | Two doors share one centre panel or partition | Used where doors meet over the same cabinet side. Wrong hinge choice creates uneven centre gaps. |
| Inset concealed hinge | Door sits inside the face of the cabinet opening | Needs tighter measuring because the gap is visible around the door. |
| Wide angle hinge | Corner cabinets, larder units and pull-out access | Often 155 degree, 165 degree or 170 degree style hinges, depending on the system. |
| Bi-fold or corner hinge set | L-shaped corner doors or paired folding doors | Requires matching hinges and plates, not just extra standard hinges. |
| Soft-close hinge | Everyday base and wall units | Can be integrated in the hinge or added with a damper. Heavy doors may need the right number of hinges. |
Kitchen hinge selector
Use this as a planning note before replacing kitchen cabinet hinges or ordering new doors.
Overlay, half overlay and inset explained
Full overlay
The door sits proud of the cabinet and covers nearly all of the side panel. This is common on many modern fitted kitchens. If the plate or hinge arm is wrong, the door gap can be too wide or the door can hit an adjacent panel.
Half overlay
Two doors share the same centre partition. Each door covers part of that partition, so the hinge geometry is different from a full overlay end cabinet.
Inset
The door sits inside the opening. Inset kitchens can look tidy, but they need accurate gaps, a square cabinet and the right hinge setup.
Special hinges
Corner units, bi-fold doors, appliance housings and pull-out larders often need dedicated hinge sets. Standard hinges can physically fit but still open badly.
35mm cup hinges and drilling
Many concealed kitchen hinges use a round cup bored into the back of the door, commonly 35mm in diameter. That does not mean every 35mm hinge is interchangeable. Cup depth, distance from the door edge, screw pattern, hinge arm, mounting plate and overlay adjustment all need to match. If you are replacing like for like, take the old hinge off and check the markings, cup size, plate type and screw positions before buying.
| Measurement | Why it matters | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Cup diameter | Most concealed kitchen hinges use a bored cup, commonly 35mm | Confirm before drilling because a wrong hole cannot be hidden easily. |
| Cup depth | Thin doors can be damaged by deep boring | Check the hinge data sheet and door thickness. |
| Door overlay | Controls how much the door covers the cabinet side | Use full overlay, half overlay or inset hardware to match the door position. |
| Opening angle | Controls access and collision risk | Restricted opening can protect walls. Wide angle helps pull-out trays. |
| Number of hinges | Heavy or tall doors sag if under-hinged | Use the door supplier’s guide for height and weight. |
Common cabinet hinge mistakes
- Buying a soft-close hinge without matching the overlay type.
- Copying the old screw holes after changing to thicker or heavier replacement doors.
- Using standard hinges on a corner unit that needs a bi-fold or wide angle hinge set.
- Forgetting that tall larder doors often need more hinges than a wall-unit door.
- Drilling cup holes before checking door thickness and cup depth.
- Trying to solve a twisted cabinet with hinge adjustment alone.
Sources and checks used
- Hettich concealed hinge catalogues list common concealed hinge families with 35mm cup dimensions, overlay adjustment and full overlay, half overlay and inset use cases.
- Kitchen door and hinge suppliers should always be checked for the exact drilling distance, cup depth, mounting plate and hinge count for the chosen door.
FAQ
What type of hinge is used on kitchen cabinets?
Most modern fitted kitchens use concealed cup hinges. The exact hinge depends on whether the door is full overlay, half overlay, inset, corner, wide angle or soft-close.
Are kitchen cabinet hinges all the same?
No. Many look similar, but overlay type, cup depth, opening angle, mounting plate and adjustment range can differ.
What is a 35mm cabinet hinge?
It usually means a concealed hinge with a 35mm cup bored into the back of the door. The cup size is only one part of the specification.
How many hinges does a kitchen door need?
Small wall-unit doors often use two hinges, but tall or heavy larder doors can need three, four or more. Use the door and hinge supplier’s weight and height guidance.
