How to Adjust Door Swing Direction

Space two sawhorses apart, wide enough to hold the door once it is removed.

Measure the position on the door jamb for the top edge of the top hinge and the bottom edge of the bottom hinge.

Mark these positions on the opposite jamb, using the tape measure and a pencil.

Position the edge of a screwdriver underneath the head of the pin in the bottom door hinge. Tap the screwdriver with a hammer to extract the pin. Do the same to the top hinge. Along with a helper, remove the door from the opening and lay it across two sawhorses.

Remove the screws from the top and bottom hinge leaves in the jamb, using a power drill, and remove the hinge leaves. Position a hinge leaf on the opposite jamb, with its edge against the marked line for the top hinge; outline the hinge position on the jamb, using a utility knife. Do the same for the bottom hinge.

Chisel out a mortise or recess on the door jamb for the new hinge locations. Tap a chisel with a hammer to do this for both the top and bottom hinge locations.

Install a drill bit into the power drill. Place a hinge leaf into the mortise for the top hinge, and drill pilot holes for the hinge screws. Repeat this for the bottom hinge.

Install the top and bottom hinge leaves onto the jamb, tightening the screws with a screwdriver or a power drill, with a driver bit installed in it.

Measure the location of the strike plate on the door jamb, using the tape measure. Transfer the layout for the strike plate to the opposite jamb, outlining it with a pencil.

Remove the strike plate from the door jamb, using the power drill. Install a spade bit into the power drill, and drill a hole into the door jamb for the strike plate.

Carve out a thin recess within the outlined spot for the strike plate on the door jamb, tapping a chisel with a hammer. Position the old strike plate onto the jamb, in the reverse direction in which it was installed on the opposite jamb. You can also install a new strike plate onto the jamb. Anchor the strike plate with screws, using the power drill.

Fill in the old hinge mortises and the strike plate hole on the opposite jamb with wood filler or a multipurpose filler such as Bondo. Use a putty knife. Allow the filler to dry and sand it with fine sandpaper so it is flush with the rest of the door jamb.

Lift the door, along with a helper, and hold it in the same position as it was before in the door opening. Turn the door around 180 degrees.

Position the bottom hinge leaf on the door edge with the bottom hinge leaf on the door jamb. Install the hinge pin into the hinge as your helper holds the door in place. Position the top door hinge leaf into the top hinge leaf on the door jamb and install the hinge pin.

Shut the door to make sure it operates correctly.