13 Cabinet Hinge Types: Beginner's Guide (2024)

• Leaf: The leaf extends outwards from the knuckle, which is typically the part that is screwed into the cabinet door or frame.
• Knuckle: The knuckle connects each leaf together. The pin passes through the open space in the knuckle, creating the pivot point of the hinge.
• Pin: The rod that goes through the knuckle that each leaf pivots around.
• Width: Width is the span of the open hinge.
• Length: Length is the span of the leaf running parallel to the pin.

Exposed Hinge

An exposed hinge is one where the hinge pieces are attached to the front side of the cabinet's face, making them completely visible. The exposed hinge is the oldest type of hinge and popular with those who are interested in achieving an element of antiquity in their kitchen design.

Partially Concealed

Partially concealed hinges only have the knuckle visible at the seam of the door where it aligns with the cabinet face frame. Partially concealed hinges are usually very plain because they are for function rather than decoration.

Concealed Hinge

Concealed or "European Style" hinges sit level with the cabinet door, hiding them when the door is closed. This is a popular option because you can easily adjust the hinge using the little screws, meaning you don’t need to completely disconnect them during cabinet door removal.

Surface-mounted Hinge

The term "surface-mounted hinge" refers to a hinge type that isn't built into a door or cabinet, but rather is installed on its surface. This is a type of hinge attached without needing a mortise (a hole or cutout) cut into the door or frame. One leaf of the hinge is secured to the door and the other to the frame. It's a flat hinge that can be exposed or concealed, depending on your desired final look.

Mortise Hinge

A mortise hinge, or a concealed hinge, is installed by creating a mortise (a hole or a cutout) into the wood to attach the hinges. It's a popular option because the hinge lays flat against the cabinet door, allowing the door to swing open and close while keeping the hinge completely hidden.

1. Pivot Hinge

Visibility: Concealed

Installation: Mortised

Pivot hinges pivot on a single point rather than around a pin. A common example is the knife hinge. Full overlay, partial overlay and seamless doors can all be constructed using pivot hinges. Because the hinge only rotates on a thin single point axis, it can be difficult to install them level. The door will function improperly if not installed correctly. Pivot hinges tend to be inexpensive and easily hidden, but are significantly more fragile than other types of hinges.

Cabinet types: large or heavy cabinets, corner cabinets, or displays cabinets

2. European Hinge

Visibility: Concealed

Installation: Mortised

The European hinge—a cup hinge—earned its name because, in Germany and throughout Europe, cabinets were personal property. Even renters would take their cabinets with them. The cup hinge gives great versatility, can be used on frameless cabinets, and allows for horizontal and vertical door alignment. These attributes made it popular in Europe in the past, and it's just as popular today.

Cabinet types: face and frameless cabinets, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, office and storage cabinets, wall-mounted cabinets, and display cabinets

3. Inset Hinge

Visibility: Concealed

Installation: Mortised

An inset or soss hinge is an invisible hinge on inset cabinet doors and completely concealed when the door is closed. The hinge is attached by cutting deep mortises into the door and cabinet frame. The deep mortises give the door strength and support. You can also use inset hinges on furniture and countertops with lift panels.

Cabinet types: frameless and inset cabinets, kitchen, storage, and utility cabinets

4. Barrel Hinge

Visibility: Semi-concealed

Installation: Surface-mounted or mortised

Barrel hinges have a cylindrical or barrel-shaped design. They comprise one or more barrel components that spin around a central pin or rod, allowing the door or lid to pivot easily. These hinge designs have origins in traditional blacksmithing techniques and evolved to meet various industry needs.

Cabinet types: furniture cabinets, cabinets for storing media equipment, curio display cabinets, wall-mounted cabinets, frameless cabinets

5. Knife Hinge

Visibility: Semi-concealed

Installation: Mortised

A knife hinge is a type of pivot hinge flat style hinge that is semi-concealed. The knife hinge can fully open and allow doors to rest completely flat against the neighboring cabinet without requiring much metal visibility. The visible part of the hinge is usually the pin or axis point. The hinge is mortised into the frame and top or bottom of the cabinet.

Cabinet types: large or heavy cabinets, corner cabinets, or displays cabinets

6. Wrap-Around Hinges

Visibility: Semi-concealed

Installation: Surface-mounted

Wrap-around hinges cross around the cabinet frame to provide stability and support for the door. They are meant to strengthen the door's attachment to the cabinet, assuring sturdiness and perfect alignment. You will typically find these hinges in face-frame cabinets. Design-wise, they leave a small open crack between the frame and the door when closed.

Cabinet Types: kitchen, bathroom, and utility cabinets, heavy-duty applications, face-frame cabinets

7. Butt Hinge

Visibility: Exposed or Partially Concealed

Installation: Mortised

Though many know it as a Mortise hinge, a butt hinge is commonly used in homes in the United States and found in pairs. Butt hinges consist of two matching leaves that connect to a central pin and barrel system. One leaf is mortised, or recessed, into the door while the other is attached to the jamb. This allows the door to sit perfectly flush with the jamb.

Cabinet types: kitchen and bathroom cabinets, display cabinets, and frameless cabinets

8. Pin Hinge

Visibility: Exposed or Partially Concealed

Installation: Surface Mounted or Mortised

A pin hinge is a traditional hinge style that rotates on a vertical axis maintained by a single pin. Pin hinges are usually constructed with two moving leaves that are wrapped around a pin. They are common not only on cabinet doors, but also on interior and exterior doors. This is a classic and affordable look, but can also be dressed up with decorative leaves that embellish the seams of cabinetry.

9. Strap Hinge

Visibility: Exposed

Installation: Surface-mounted

Strap hinges are long, flat, decorative hinges that resemble a strap. They have a rustic beauty and have been used for centuries in historic trades like metalwork and blacksmithing. You'll find strap hinges in vintage, barn, and colonial architectural designs. They offer a rustic appeal to doors, gates, and cabinets for decorative and practical functions.

Cabinet Types: large cabinet, armories, decorative or antique-style cabinets, outdoor kitchen cabinets, and storage

10. T-Hinge

Visibility: Exposed

Installation: Surface Mounted

The T hinge clearly gets its name from its shape. When attaching the T, the horizontal part is secured onto the door frame while the vertical section is screwed to the door. T hinges are usually known for their durability rather than aesthetics.

11. Piano Hinge

Visibility: Exposed

Installation: Surface-mounted

A piano hinge, or continuous hinge, is a long, slender hinge that runs from the top of a cabinet to the bottom. It is excellent for heavy-duty door applications and is often made of stainless steel or brass to provide continuous support and alignment along the entire length of the cabinet.

Cabinet Types: heavy duty cabinetry like metal storage cabinets, cabinets for industrial tool storage, armory cabinets used by military and law enforcement

12. Self-Closing Hinge

Visibility: Exposed or concealed

Installation: Surface-mounted or mortised

Self-closing hinges close cabinet doors automatically due to a built-in spring or mechanical system. Since these hinges close independently, they are a convenient addition to maintaining a tidy and organized appearance.

Cabinet types: kitchen and bathroom cabinets, office and storage cabinets, commercial and retail display cabinets

13. Soft-Closing Hinge

Visibility: Exposed or concealed

Installation: Surface-mounted or mortised

Soft-closing hinges ensure that cabinet doors and drawers close softly, gently, and silently. They include a device that regulates the pace at which the door closes, preventing it from slamming shut. Homeowners love soft-closing hinges for their ability to reduce noise, prevent cabinet damage, and improve safety, particularly in households with children.

Cabinet types: kitchen and bathroom cabinets, office cabinets, entertainment systems, and sideboard cabinets

Face Frame

Face frame refers to a framed cabinet's trim boards that are visible on its face. The face frame has boards that form a rigid skeleton for the exposed side of the cabinet's box. These cabinet types offer more decorative design options and come in full overlay or inset doors to look more fitted or flush with the frame.

Frameless

Frameless cabinets have a more streamlined design. They don't have a face frame, so the front of the cabinet seems continuous and seamless. These cabinets offer more storage space than face frames and create a modern look for your kitchen.

Inset (lipped doors)

Inset refers to kitchen cabinet doors that are styled similarly to inset doors—when part of the door sits flush or level with the frame. The difference is that lipped cabinet doors retain an overlay on the frame face, fitting more securely into the framing of the cabinet. They require a knob or pull to open because of this secure fit.

Half Overlay (reveal)

A reveal is the part of the cabinet frame that you can see after attaching the door. A reveal overlay occurs when there is slight space between cabinet doors that allows the cabinet's frame to be viewable.

Full Overlay

A full overlay means the majority of the cabinet frame is covered and can impact factors like cabinet spacing, access to materials, and creating a polished door appearance.

Lipped

This term refers to kitchen cabinet doors that are styled similar to inset doors, in which part of the door sits flush into the frame. The difference is that lipped cabinet doors retain an overlay on the frame face, fitting more securely into the framing of the cabinet. They require a knob or pull to open because of this secure fit.

Mounting Plate

A mounting plate is the part of a hinge, handle or latch that mounts the hardware to a cabinet. Mounting plates make it easier to attach doors to frames.

Hinge Cup

A hinge cup refers to a recession that is required for setting certain styles of invisible hinges. It is one part of the invisible hinge that, along with the arm, makes up the movable half of the door mechanism.

Self-close Mechanism

A self-close mechanism is a device that is used to prevent doors or drawers from slamming shut. It may be a hinge or a drawer slide.

Door Stopper

Door stoppers are the devices used to control, limit and stop the motion of a cabinet door. There are many modern hinges that have one incorporated into the design. The purpose of a door stopper is to help prevent damage to a trim board, door or the neighboring cabinetry.

Reverse Bevel

A reverse bevel refers to cabinet doors that do not require knobs or pulls to be opened. The angle of the cut allows homeowners to open the cabinet by pulling on the top of the door.