How to Choose & Measure Replacement Kitchen Doors

Modern Kitchen Design Tips: From Concept to Completion

Replacing your kitchen doors is the smartest, most cost-effective way to transform your kitchen without the disruption of a full refit. Whether you're looking for a sleek modern finish or a cosy traditional feel, planning your dream kitchen starts with two simple steps: choosing your perfect style and taking accurate measurements.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the entire process - from selecting the right colours and finishes to exactly how to measure your existing doors and hinge holes so you can order with absolute confidence.

Step 1: Kitchen Terminology Explained

Before you start measuring for your new doors, it helps to know the correct names for the different parts of your kitchen. This ensures you order the right type of door or panel for each unit.

• Wall Unit: The cabinets attached to the wall above your worktop.
• Base Unit: The cabinets resting on the floor under your worktop.
• Cornice: The decorative trim at the very top of wall units.
• Pelmet: The decorative trim at the bottom of wall units, often hiding under-cabinet lighting.
• Plinth: The board running along the floor beneath the base units.

Step 2: How to Measure Your Kitchen Doors

The golden rule of replacing kitchen doors is: Always measure the back of the physical door - edge to edge - NEVER the cabinet opening.

Kitchen doors are manufactured slightly smaller than the cabinet opening (usually by 4–5mm) to allow them to open and close smoothly without catching. For example, a standard 600mm wide cabinet will typically have a door that is 596mm wide.

Measure the back of the door from edge to edge — Height first, then Width

How to Measure:

1. Measure the Height: Place your tape measure at the top edge on the back of the door and measure straight down to the bottom edge. Record in millimeters (mm).
2. Measure the Width: Place your tape measure at the left edge and measure across to the right edge. Record in mm.
3. Write it as Height x Width - for example: 715mm H x 596mm W. This ensures the woodgrain pattern (if applicable) runs in the correct direction.

Standard Door Sizes

Most UK kitchens (IKEA, Howdens, B&Q, Wickes, Magnet) use standard door sizes. Below are the most common combinations:

If your measurements match one of these standard sizes, simply select it when ordering. If your sizes are unusual, for example in an older kitchen or a bespoke build, don't worry. We manufacture doors to your exact specifications at no extra cost, starting from just £10.45.

Step 3: How to Measure Hinge Hole Positions

To ensure your new doors fit directly onto your existing cabinets without drilling new holes, we need to know where your current hinges are located. We drill standard 35mm diameter holes, which fit 99% of all modern kitchen hinges (Blum, Hettich, Salice).

Diagram: Measure from the door edge to the CENTER of each hinge hole

Measurement 1 - Top Hinge: from Top Edge to Center of Hole

Place your tape measure at the very top edge of the door and measure down to the exact center of the top circular hinge hole. Standard measurements are often around 100mm, but this varies between manufacturers — always measure your own door.

Tape measure placed at the top edge, measuring down to the center of the hinge hole

Measurement 2 - Side Distance: from Side Edge to Center of Hole

Place the tape measure against the side edge of the door (the hinge side) and measure across to the center of the hole. The standard industry measurement for this is almost always 22.5mm.

Tape measure placed at the side edge, measuring across to the center of the hinge hole (standard: 22.5mm)

Measurement 3 - Bottom Hinge: from Bottom Edge to Center of Hole

Place your tape measure at the very bottom edge of the door and measure up to the exact center of the bottom circular hinge hole. This is often the same as the top measurement, but always measure to be sure.

Tape measure placed at the side edge showing the 22.5mm standard side distance

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I measure from the edge of the door or the edge of the hole?
Always measure from the outer edge of the door to the exact center of the circular hinge hole. This is the industry standard way to specify hinge positions.

What size are the hinge holes you drill?
We drill standard 35mm diameter holes, compatible with almost all modern kitchen hinges (Blum, Hettich, Salice) used by IKEA, Howdens, B&Q, Wickes, and Magnet.

Do I need to measure both top and bottom hinges?
Yes. While they are often symmetrical (e.g., 100mm from top and 100mm from bottom), this isn't always the case. Measure both to ensure a perfect fit.

My kitchen is older - will standard sizes apply?
Possibly not. Older kitchens, particularly those installed before 2000, may have non-standard door sizes. Simply measure your existing doors edge to edge and enter your exact dimensions when ordering. We manufacture to any size.

What if I am unsure about my measurements?
Please email us photos of your measurements at [email protected] before placing your order. Our team will check everything and confirm the correct sizes for you.