Simple hinge adjustments are easy to make, and many cabinets have hinges that allow you to make micro-adjustments in any direction.
For plain hinges, loosen the mounting screws just enough so that the hinges can move but not so much that the door droops. Prop up the door so that it is square with the cabinet opening, using shims if necessary, and then retighten the screws.
Most European-style hinges have built-in adjustment set-ups, and there are several types. One has a single screw connecting the two halves of the hinge. Loosen this screw slightly and you can reposition the door vertically or horizontally.
Another type of hinge has a sliding bar with a set-screw for horizontal adjustments and a separate set-screw for vertical adjustments. The newest hinges have snap-on mounting plates that allow you to adjust both height and depth.
Cabinet doors that get a lot of use can, over time, go out of adjustment for a variety of reasons. If your cabinet doors droop, swing, or shut poorly, take the following steps:
1) Tighten the hinge mounting screws. If this only helps for a while, or the holes are so worn that the screws no longer hold, remove the screws one at a time, squirt a little white glue into each hole, and then insert toothpicks into the holes. Wipe off any excess glue, and, after the glue dries, cut the toothpicks flush with the surface using a utility knife. Then drive new screws into the refurbished holes (you may have to drill small pilot holes first).
2) Replace the hinge screws with longer or larger screws. This usually requires drilling deeper pilot holes, which may not be possible with some cabinets, or using larger diameter screws, which may not fit the hinges as well as the originals. For these reasons, give this option careful consideration.
3) Move the hinges. If the screw holes or mounting locations are badly worn, try shifting each hinge to a new spot where the wood is stronger. This works best if the hardware is hidden because otherwise the old locations will be visible, especially where the hinge leaves mount to the face of the doors. If you do decide to go with this option, you might also want to consider self-closing hinges, which eliminate the need for catches.
