When it comes to cabinets, a lot hinges on choosing the right hinge! The style and functionality of your cabinet hinges affect not only how your cabinet doors operate, but also the overall look and durability of your cabinetry.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll demystify the many types of cabinet hinges available and help you determine which hinge best fits your project. We’ll also explain which cabinet styles each hinge type is best suited for, and even suggest some quality hinge brands (like Blum, Salice, Grass, and Woodworker Express’s own WE Preferred line) for each category.
Whether you’re a DIYer upgrading your kitchen, a homeowner tackling a cabinet install, or a woodworking pro, this beginner-friendly guide will ensure you have all the info you need to make a confident hinge selection.
Quick Decision Table: Types of Cabinet Hinges
| Your situation | Best first choice | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Frameless, full overlay | European concealed, straight arm | Clean look, 3-way adjust, soft-close options |
| Frameless, half overlay | European concealed, half crank | Positions door correctly and keeps even reveals |
| Frameless, inset | European concealed, full crank or invisible | Flush finish with clean lines |
| Face-frame, full overlay | European concealed with frame plate or partial-wrap | Clears the frame and aligns fast |
| Face-frame, partial overlay | Semi-concealed or partial-wrap | Classic look with simple install |
| Face-frame, inset | Butt, invisible, or inset Euro with frame plate | Premium flush face and strong support |
| Corner lazy Susan bi-fold | Corner Euro set with 170° frame hinge | Wide access and smooth folding |
| Heavy or tall door | Three Euro hinges or a piano hinge | Spreads load and reduces sag |
Cabinet Construction & Overlay Basics (How to Choose a Hinge)
First confirm your cabinet build and door style. Face-frame cabinets have a front frame where many exposed or semi-concealed hinges mount. Frameless cabinets have no front frame and usually use concealed European hinges that mount inside the box.
Next check door position. Overlay doors sit on top of the opening and need hinges sized to the overlay. Inset doors sit flush and need hinges that allow a flush close. Measure the overlay on existing doors to guide selection.
Decide if you want hardware hidden or shown. Concealed hinges give a clean look. Exposed hinges add character and can be a style choice.
Know the install and motion options. Mortised hinges recess into wood. Non-mortise and surface-mount options speed installs. Many modern hinges add soft-close or self-close and some offer push-to-open for handle-free doors.
Common Types of Cabinet Hinges (and When to Use Each)
Hinges fall into two families: traditional types that show at least a small knuckle and European or concealed types that hide inside the cabinet. Below are the main types, what they suit, and key brand ideas.
European (Concealed) Hinges
European cup hinges sit inside the cabinet and hide when the door is closed. A 35 mm cup bores into the door and the arm engages a mounting plate. The result is a clean face with no visible hardware and smooth, controlled motion.
They fit frameless builds by default and also face-frame cabinets with the right mounting plates. Models exist for full overlay, partial overlay, and inset doors. Opening angles run from 110 degrees to 170 degrees and higher for corner use.
Most offer 3-way adjustment for easy reveal tuning. Many add integrated soft-close and clip-on arms to speed hanging and removal. The 35 mm cup is standard in modern cabinets.
Product picks: Blum Clip Top BLUMOTION for proven soft-close and precise adjustability, Salice Silentia and Grass Tiomos for premium motion, and WE Preferred soft-close Euro for value.
For a deeper dive, read our Ultimate Guide to Concealed Hinges
Semi-Concealed (Face-Frame) Hinges
Semi-concealed hinges hide part of the mechanism behind the door while leaving a small decorative knuckle on the frame. They create a classic American look on face-frame cabinets and are common with 1/2 inch or similar overlays. They are not used for inset doors.
Most versions self-close with a spring action and install without mortising the frame. Finishes range from brass to nickel to bronze. Typical opening angles cover everyday access.
Product picks: WE Preferred semi-concealed for dependable value, with style options that coordinate with your pulls and knobs.
Surface-Mount (Decorative) Hinges
Surface-mount hinges screw onto the door and frame with no cup or mortise. The entire hinge is visible, which makes it a design element. They suit furniture pieces, rustic looks, and projects where you want hardware to show.
They are simple to install and come in many shapes such as H, strap, and butterfly. Because the mechanism is fully exposed, soft-close is uncommon, so add catches if you need stronger closure.
Product picks: Decorative options in the Decorative Cabinet Hinges section to match your style and finish.
Butt Hinges (Traditional Mortise Hinges)
Butt hinges have two leaves joined by a pin. In cabinets they are usually mortised into the door and frame so only a narrow barrel shows. This yields a refined, timeless look.
They shine on face-frame cabinets with inset doors and on fine furniture. They carry heavy doors well but do not self-close, so plan on catches where needed.
Quality brass, steel, or stainless versions last for decades. Many allow pin removal for door lift-off. Mortising demands care for clean gaps and smooth action.
Use two hinges on most doors and add a third on tall or heavy ones. Expect up to 180 degrees of swing unless your casework limits it.
Flush Hinges (No-Mortise Hinges)
Flush hinges nest their leaves so the door closes fully without cutting mortises. You get a near-flush fit with faster installation. They are a lighter-duty alternative to a true mortised butt hinge.
Wrap-Around Hinges (Full Wrap and Partial Wrap)
Wrap hinges add strength by wrapping the frame. Partial wrap models cover the outside edge of a 3/4 inch face frame, while full wrap models enclose the frame for a very secure hold. They are useful in retrofits and when you want more support without switching to Euro hinges.
Check frame thickness and interior clearances before ordering, since the wrap can interfere with partitions. Specialty wrap models can open very wide for specific applications.
Pivot and Knife Hinges
Knife hinges are a form of pivot hinge. The door pivots on small interlocking blades mortised into the door and the case. The result is clean and minimal with almost nothing visible. Expect precise layout and tighter install tolerances than Euro hinges.
They favor inset doors on fine furniture or small cabinets. Plan reveals carefully and know that opening angles often sit around 90 to 120 degrees unless specified otherwise.
Invisible (Concealed Barrel) Hinges
Invisible hinges, like SOSS, hide the mechanism inside routed pockets in the door and frame. Nothing shows when closed and only a slender linkage is visible when open. They deliver a seamless, upscale look, mainly for inset doors on either face-frame or frameless builds.
Use them when you want a zero-hardware appearance and are comfortable with careful routing. They trade away the easy adjustability that Euro hinges provide.
Piano Hinges (Continuous Hinges)
A piano or continuous hinge runs the full height of the door for even support. It is ideal for long or heavy doors, lids, and benches where load spreads across the length. It installs with a line of screws along the stile and door edge.
Corner Cabinet Hinges (Bi-Fold and Pie-Corner Hinges)
Corner solutions pair a wide-opening hinge with a door-to-door link so bi-fold sections swing out and clear. Use wider angles for access to organizers and lazy susans. Many European families offer dedicated corner sets.
Key Takeaways & Final Tips: Types of Cabinet Hinges
- Match Hinge to Cabinet Style: Always choose a hinge that aligns with your cabinet construction. Frameless cabinets favor European and concealed hinges, while face-frame cabinets can use semi-concealed, surface-mount, or wrap hinges that attach to the frame. Inset doors often use butt or inset Euro hinges, whereas overlay doors have many options (full overlay Euro, partial wrap, etc.).
- Consider Visibility vs. Hidden: Decide if you want your hinges to show. Concealed hinges offer a clean exterior look, whereas decorative surface or semi-concealed hinges can add to the style (e.g., in a farmhouse kitchen, exposed vintage-looking hinges might be desirable).
- Overlay Measurement is Critical: For overlay doors, determine the exact overlay (how much the door overlaps the frame or side) – hinges are made for specific overlays (1/2″, 5/8″, full, etc.). Using the wrong overlay hinge can result in doors not closing or aligning properly. Most hinge product descriptions will state the overlay they are designed for.
- Quality and Brands: Invest in good-quality hinges. Brands like Blum, Grass, and Salice are industry leaders for a reason – their hinges are engineered for smooth action and long life (many have soft-close built-in). That said, you can often find more affordable options (like the WE Preferred line at Woodworker Express) that still offer solid performance. Hinges get constant use, so quality matters.
- Installation and Adjustment: European hinges offer adjustability, which can make installation easier for perfect gaps. Traditional hinges require a bit more skill in installation but can be very rewarding in appearance. Always follow the manufacturer’s mounting instructions (e.g., drill cup holes to proper depth, use mounting templates for multiple hinges to ensure alignment). And remember to check if your hinge comes with mounting screws and whether you need any additional hardware (for example, mounting plates for Euro hinges, or soft-close add-on if the hinge doesn’t include it).
By understanding these various hinge types and their uses, you can confidently select the right hinge for your next cabinet project. From the sleek invisibility of European and invisible hinges to the classic charm of exposed surface hinges, there’s a hinge out there to fit every design and function need.
