Wardrobe door adjustment is one of the easiest jobs you can do at home, yet it makes a big difference. Over time, doors can sag, bump into each other or stop closing fully. In this post, we explain step by step how to solve these problems with a few simple hinge adjustments.
Know Your Hinges Before Wardrobe Door Adjustment
Most modern wardrobes use concealed hinges. These hinges usually have three adjustment screws. Each screw moves the door in a different direction. So once you know what each screw does, the job becomes much easier.
- Side screw: moves the door left and right
- Depth screw: moves the door closer to or away from the frame
- Height screw: moves the door up or down
- Mounting screw: holds the hinge on the frame
Fix Sagging Doors
If a door drops at one corner, start with the height adjustment. Then turn the top and bottom hinges by the same amount. That way, the door lines up with the frame again. However, do not force the screws too hard, because screw holes in particleboard can wear out quickly.
Wardrobe Door Adjustment: Even Out the Gaps
If the gaps between the doors differ, use the side screw. For example, turning it clockwise usually moves the door toward the hinge side. Then adjust the next door in the same way. In short, looking at all the doors together gives you a neat, even look.
Doors That Do Not Close Fully
If a door does not sit flush against the frame, tighten the depth screw a little. Also, check whether the mounting screw has come loose. Besides that, a faulty damper in a soft-close hinge can cause the same problem. In that case, the best fix is to replace the hinge with a new one.
Adjusting Sliding Doors
On sliding wardrobes, the adjustment point sits in the bottom wheels, not in a hinge. First, lift the door slightly and open the small cover at the bottom. Then change the height of the door with the adjustment screw. Above all, make sure the top edges of both doors line up. Finally, slide each door from end to end and listen for any scraping.
When Wardrobe Door Adjustment Is Not Enough
Sometimes adjustment alone does not solve the problem. For instance, if the hinge hole has crumbled or the frame is out of square, you need a professional. Our team handles door adjustment and frame repair together as part of our wardrobe assembly service. In addition, every job comes with a 6-month aftercare guarantee. For the full setup process, also read our wardrobe assembly guide.
To learn more about hinge types, see the Wikipedia article on the hinge. In the end, the right wardrobe door adjustment brings your wardrobe back to its first-day look.
