A Guide to Different Types of Cabinet Hinges

Why Cabinet Hinges Matter

Different types of cabinet hinges are more than just machine components — they determine how a door opens, aligns, and functions smoothly. Using the wrong hinge can lead to doors that don’t close properly, wear out quickly, or fail to create a good impression. That’s why manufacturers, furniture makers, and hardware distributors place great importance on understanding different types of cabinet hinges.

Hidden Hinges (European Hinges)

Hidden hinges are the most common of contemporary cabinetry accessories. They are mounted inside the cabinet and, as such, do not protrude onto the exterior surface, giving a smooth, unbroken appearance. They are suitable for use in kitchen and bathroom cabinets and can be fitted with soft-close functionality to further add convenience to end-users.

These are a fine representation of the more contemporary choice of the numerous cabinet hinge designs, functional and pleasing to the eye.

Overlay Hinges

Overlay hinges are mounted on the exterior of the cabinet frame and are half-visible when the door is closed. Overlay hinges are full-overlay or half-overlay, depending on how much the door overlaps the cabinet frame. Overlay hinges are easy to install and are most commonly used in face-frame cabinetry.

Inset Hinges

Inset hinges are employed flush to the cabinet frame cabinet doors. Concealed or exposed, inset hinges provide a more traditional look. Extremely accurate installation needs to be performed using them. Inset hinges usually appear in high-end cabinetry and luxury furniture installations.

A wonderful second illustration to keep in mind when discussing the different kinds of cabinet hinges while learning the finer details of top-of-the-line cabinet construction.

Pivot Hinges

Pivot hinges allow the door to open between a point both at the bottom and the top, compared to side-mounting. They are ideal for contemporary minimalist cabinet or specialty piece furniture designs. They are more utilized in commercial or industrial application due to being specialized in design.

Soft-Close Hinges

Soft-close hinges are normally part of overlay or hidden hinge systems. Silent, smooth closing of the doors on cabinets, without slamming and minimizing wear, is the most notable feature of soft-close hinges. They’re currently an optimal selection among the various cabinet hinges, particularly kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

Surface-Mount Hinges

Surface-mount hinges are fixed on the door and cabinet surface and are fully exposed. They are utilized in garages, utility cabinets, and industrial storage cabinets. They are sturdy, simple, and easy to replace, and thus are an easy option for harsh use.

Demountable Hinges

Demountable hinges allow cabinet doors to be easily taken off, no tools whatsoever. That would be extremely useful for cabinetry that needs to be reset or removed on an ongoing basis, i.e., modular furniture or storage units for transit.

They are all included in the convenience of the different kinds of cabinet hinges currently available in stores.

How to Choose the Best Option from Different Types of Cabinet Hinges

Choosing the best hinge is dependent on numerous factors:

• Frame type of cabinet: frameless or face frame
• Door orientation: overlay, inset, or partial inset
• Use environment: industrial, commercial, or household
• Space restriction and opening angle
• Aesthetic need and finishing need

Being familiar with different types of cabinet hinges allows you to match proper hardware with your functional needs and aesthetic needs, finally resulting in improved product quality and satisfaction.

About Huiso Hardware

ハウソ・ハードウェア is a professional factory producing キャビネットヒンジ and 引出しスライド, offering wholesale and customized services to customers all over the world. Backed by years of OEM and ODM production experience, Huiso offers a complete range of hardware products to meet requirements from furniture factories, distributors, and brand owners.

If you need a quality supplier who realizes how important accuracy, quality, and flexibility are when it comes to cabinet hardware, your go-to is Huiso Hardware. We deal in manufacturing various types of cabinet hinges, designed to international standards and customer orders.

Let ハウソ・ハードウェア assist you in selecting the best hinge solution for your next cabinet project.