Replace Worn Bathroom Vanity Hinges

Bathroom vanity doors that sag, won't close properly, or have visible gaps are almost always telling you the hinges have worn out. These hinges take the full weight of a water-laden door opening and closing multiple times a day, and they eventually lose their ability to hold adjustment. The good news is that replacing them is straightforward—you're not refinishing anything, not touching plumbing or wiring, and the new hinges go in the exact same holes the old ones came from. If your doors still look good and the vanity body is solid, new hinges will make everything operate like new again.

1. Locate Every Hinge. Swing both vanity doors open to 90 degrees or wider. Look at the inside edge of each door where it meets the vanity body—you'll see the hinge cups screwed to the back of the door. Count how many hinges you have (typically two per door, sometimes three on larger vanities). Locate all visible screws on both the door side and the vanity body side of each hinge.
2. Unseat the Door Hinges. Using a screwdriver that matches the screw head size (usually Phillips), unscrew each hinge cup from the inside back edge of the door. Work one door at a time. Remove all screws but keep them in a small container—you may reuse them if they're still in good condition. Set the screws aside but don't mix them with anything else.
3. Free Both Doors Safely. Once all hinge cups are unbolted from the door, carefully lift the door upward and away from the vanity body. Doors are heavier than they look, especially if they're solid wood or have marble tops. Have a second person spot you or rest the door gently on a towel on the floor nearby. Set both doors aside in a safe place where they won't get scratched.
4. Strip the Vanity Body. Now the vanity body is exposed. You'll see the mounting plates (the bases) of the old hinges screwed to the inside sides of the vanity cabinet. Using the same screwdriver, remove all screws holding these mounting plates. Keep the screws organized. The mounting plate holes stay empty for now—don't fill them.
5. Clean the Mounting Surfaces. Look at the inside cabinet walls where the hinges were mounted. Wipe away any dust, debris, or old finish with a dry cloth. If there's rust, grime, or old caulk, gently scrape it away with a plastic scraper or old credit card. The surface should be clean and flat so the new hinge base sits flush. Don't use liquid cleaner—you want the wood dry.
6. Mount New Hinge Bases. Hold the first new hinge base against the inside wall of the vanity, aligning it in the same location as the old one. The base should sit flat and square to the edge. Have your helper hold it steady or use a spring clamp. Start one screw by hand to lock the position, then back out slightly to adjust if needed. Once aligned, tighten all screws on that base firmly but not aggressively. Repeat for the second hinge base on the opposite side of the cabinet.
7. Attach Door-Side Cups. Each new hinge comes as two parts: the base (now on the vanity) and the cup (which mounts to the door). Hold the cup portion against the inside back edge of the first door, aligned with the hinge arm sticking out from the vanity base. The cup should slide onto the hinge arm. Screw the cup to the door using the original screws or new ones of the same size. Start with finger-tight, then snug. Don't over-tighten—the screws just need to be seated, not crushed.
8. Hang and Test First Door. Lift the first door into position and lower it onto the hinge arms protruding from the vanity body. The cup should slide down and settle onto the base. The door should hang straight and close smoothly without binding. Open and close it several times. If it sags or catches, the hinge may need a slight adjustment—you can often fine-tune by loosening the base screws slightly, adjusting the angle or depth, and retightening.
9. Balance the Second Door. Repeat the cup installation and hanging process for the second door. Once both doors are in place, check that the gap between them is even and that both close smoothly. If one door sags while the other is tight, loosen the base fasteners on the sagging hinge and tilt the base up slightly until the door hangs evenly. This is a small adjustment—a quarter-turn or half-turn usually does it.
10. Fine-Tune the Gaps. Open both doors slowly and listen for binding or rubbing. Watch the gap between each door and the cabinet body—it should stay consistent as the door swings. If you hear rubbing, the door may be hitting the side of the cabinet opening. Loosen the hinge base screws slightly and tilt the entire hinge assembly inward or outward until the gap is even. Tighten everything securely once aligned.
11. Lock Everything Down. Once everything is aligned and operating smoothly, do a final walk-around and tighten every screw—both on the hinge bases and on the door-mounted cups. Use firm pressure but don't over-torque. Open and close the doors one more time to confirm the fix is solid.