How to Hide Hinges

Visible hinges on the outside of your kitchen cabinets may cause them to look outdated. For a more modern look, install hinges on the inside of your cabinets to create sleek lines on the exterior. These hidden hinges, also called European hinges, have two pieces: one that connects to the door and one inside the cabinet wall. The two pieces fit together with a mounting clip, creating a hidden hinge with a tight connection and a smooth motion.


Measure the height of your cabinet doors to determine how many hinges you need to install. Most doors up to 40 inches high need two hinges, and those up to 60 inches high need three.


Mark 3 inches down from the top of the door and 3 inches up from the bottom. Hold the door beside the cabinet and use a level to transfer the measurement marks to the inside of the cabinet wall.


Measure the location of the screw holes on the hinge. Most standard European hinges require you to drill a hole 1 7/16 inches inside the wall of the cabinet and 1/16 inch inside the door, for the first door screw. Transfer these measurements to the cabinet door and wall, marking them along the height lines. Drill pilot holes about 1/2 inch deep.


Place the short side of the hinge inside the cabinet wall and line up the screw holes with the marks. Trace the outside of the square divot in the hinge with a pencil. Remove the hinge and drill a hole inside your drawn square using a 1 3/8-inch Forstner bit, drilling about 1/2 inch into the wall of the cabinet. This is a bit that makes a wide, flat hole instead of a narrow, round one. The hinge rests in this hole to create a recessed area in which the door hinge can sit when the door is closed.


Set the cabinet hinge in place and drive screws through the two screw holes. Set the door hinge in place and drive screws through its holes, as well.


Press the two hinge pieces together until they click into place.


Test the door to ensure it closes completely. If it leaves a small gap, loosen the inside screws of the door hinge slightly and slide the hinge toward the outside of the door before tightening the screws. A tiny adjustment is likely all that's necessary to align the door properly.