How to Replace Dated Cabinet Hinges With More Modern Ones

The hinges can date your cabinets. For a fresher look, you can install more modern hardware. Hinges that have been in place for a while can create a shadow on the cabinetry that will need to be blended once the old hinges are removed. If the hinges were never removed when new coats of paint or stain were added to cabinet, there may be uncolored spots the new hinges will not cover. Those too will need to be blended in.

Phillips screwdriver or electric drill
New hinges
Screw
Wood filler
Medium-grit sandpaper
Stain or paint

Instructions

- 1
  Open the cabinet door. Unscrew the hinges from the door with a Phillips screwdriver or electric drill.
- 2
  Place the cabinet door on a flat work surface.
- 3
  Position the new hinge on the back of the cabinet door on the hinge side, so it is about 2 inches from the top or bottom, but not over the old screw holes.
- 4
  Twist a screw into each hole in the new hinge using a Phillips screwdriver or drill.
- 5
  Position the door back over the cabinet and hold it closed.
- 6
  Screw the hinge into the cabinet.
- 7
  Fill in any old screw holes on the cabinet or door with wood filler. This step is optional and only necessary to fill in old holes that are obvious on the exterior of the cabinet. Smooth the filler into the hole, and wipe away any excess. Sand the filled holes once the filler is dry with medium-grit sandpaper. Stain or paint the filled holes so they match the rest of the cabinet.

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