After a few years, even the best kitchen cabinets can start looking a little off. Maybe a door hangs crooked, won’t close flush, gaps appear between doors, or you hear a little “clang” when closing it. These small annoyances can add up fast in a busy household — making your kitchen feel messy, trapping dust, or just making everyday tasks like cooking a bit more frustrating.

Having spent 20 years designing kitchen cabinets — and living the daily life of a homeowner myself — I know how common these issues are. The good news? Most of the time, with just a screwdriver, a bit of patience, and a few minutes per door, you can fix it yourself and make your cabinets feel almost new again. This simple, down-to-earth DIY guide will get you started.

Why Cabinet Doors Get Misaligned

Reason	Details
Hinge screws gradually loosen	Constant use, heavy items, or slamming doors can slowly loosen the screws holding the door in place, causing sagging or crooked doors.
Wear and tear / environmental changes	Over time, moisture, temperature fluctuations, and humidity (especially in kitchens) can warp wood doors or loosen metal hinges.
Cabinet box not perfectly level or square	If the cabinet wasn’t *installed* perfectly vertical or square, even correctly adjusted doors may appear misaligned.
Frequent heavy use	Slamming doors, overloading cabinets, or pulling hard can speed up misalignment.

What You’ll Need

Item	Why / When
Phillips-head or flat-head screwdriver (manual)	To adjust hinge screws — never use a power drill, which can strip screws easily.
Soft cloth + light lubricant (optional)	For cleaning and lubricating hinges if they feel stiff or squeaky.
Helper (optional)	For large or heavy doors — having someone hold the door steady helps when adjusting height (up/down).
Patience & small incremental adjustments	Make small tweaks — a quarter turn or less. Avoid over-adjusting and creating new misalignment.

How to Adjust Cabinet Doors

1. Tighten Loose Screws First

Open each cabinet door and check the screws that mount the hinge to the door and to the cabinet box.
Often, simply tightening these screws (turning clockwise) fixes sagging or slightly crooked doors.

2. Adjust Vertical (Up / Down) Alignment

If one door sits higher or lower than its neighbor:
Slightly loosen the vertical mounting screws on the hinge plate inside the cabinet (do not remove them).
With the door closed, reposition it up or down until it looks level.
Retighten screws and double-check alignment.

3. Adjust Side-to-Side (Left / Right) Position

If gaps between doors (or between the door and cabinet frame) are uneven:
Locate the side-to-side adjustment screw — usually on the hinge arm near the front edge of the cabinet.
Turn slightly: clockwise moves the door toward the hinge side; counter-clockwise moves it away.
Make small adjustments on both top and bottom hinges until the gap is even.

4. Adjust Depth (In / Out)

If the door sits too far out or too recessed:
Locate the depth adjustment screw on the hinge arm, toward the back of the cabinet.
Turn slowly to move the door slightly inward or outward.
Recheck closure and alignment each time.

5. Test, Fine-Tune & Lubricate

After each adjustment:
Open and close the door several times.
Check alignment, spacing, and smooth closure.
If hinges feel stiff or noisy, clean with a soft cloth and apply a little light lubricant (especially in humid kitchens).

Quick Troubleshooting: Common Problems & Fixes

Common Problem	Most Likely Cause	Solution
Door hangs crooked / lower than neighbor	Loose hinge screws or sagging hinge	Tighten screws; adjust vertical alignment if needed
Uneven gap between doors	Side-to-side misalignment	Adjust side-to-side screws on hinge arms
Door sticks out / doesn’t close flush	Depth misalignment	Adjust depth screw to bring door closer or push slightly out
Stiff, squeaky, or hard-to-close hinges	Dirt, dust, lack of lubrication, worn hinge	Clean hinge, apply light lubricant, replace hinge if worn
Repeated misalignment / loose screws	Worn screw holes, old hinge, heavy door	Use longer screws, add small shims behind hinge, or replace hinge

My Little Truth

Honestly, after 20 years in kitchen cabinetry and running a household, I know how “small home maintenance” can feel never-ending. You twist screws, dust your fingers, and think, “Why am I doing this again?”

But here’s the thing: spending just a few minutes now to realign a cabinet door saves hours of frustration later. No fancy tools, no handyman — just a screwdriver, patience, and maybe a helping hand.

When the door closes smoothly, evenly, and quietly, there’s a tiny but real sense of satisfaction. It’s your kitchen, your space, your home. Taking care of it, bit by bit, is a way of showing love for your home.

Final Words

Misaligned doors and loose hinges may seem minor, but they affect your kitchen’s look and function every day. With a little know-how and simple tools, you can fix most issues yourself. Take five minutes, grab a screwdriver, and restore that “just-renovated” shine to your kitchen.

Pro Tip: Keep a small screwdriver in a kitchen drawer. Spot a sagging door? Fix it in minutes — before it starts driving you crazy.sagging, you can fix it in minutes before it becomes annoying.