Who this guide is for
- Homeowners with cabinet and drawer gaps that look inconsistent
- People preparing to brief a kitchen fitter or cabinet maker
- Anyone wanting a tidy, uniform run assessed
- Owners wanting a clear record before an adjustment visit
Reading the reveals across the run
Stand back and look along the whole run. Note where gaps are wider or narrower than their neighbours, where a tapering gap appears, and where doors or drawers don't line up across columns.
Describe the pattern of the gaps rather than deciding whether it is hinges, hanging, or the carcass.
- Gaps wider on some fronts than others
- A reveal tapering top to bottom
- Drawer lines not aligning across columns
- Doors and drawers not flush as a set
Whole-run versus local
Note whether the inconsistency is across the whole run, suggesting how it was hung, or local to a few units, suggesting an adjustment or a shift. A straight-on photo along the run captures this.
Record whether a level laid along the fronts shows them out of line.
When it appeared
Record whether the gaps have always been uneven (from installation) or drifted over time, which can suggest movement, settling, or loosening fixings.
Note whether any door also rubs or won't latch, which links to the gaps.
Photographing the reveals
Photograph straight-on along the run so the gaps are comparable, and close-ups of the worst reveals. Raking light helps show tapering gaps.
Avoid adjusting hinges to even them up before a fitter sees the original pattern.
- Straight-on shots along the run
- Close-ups of the worst reveals
- Leave hinges as found for the fitter
Briefing a cabinet fitter
Bring your along-the-run photos, the whole-run-or-local note, and the timing before contacting a kitchen fitter or cabinet maker.
Let them adjust the hanging and alignment; your record helps them judge whether it is a quick align or a remount.
Documentation checklist
- 1Look along the run and note where gaps are wider or narrower
- 2Note any tapering reveals or fronts not lining up across columns
- 3Record whether the inconsistency is whole-run or local
- 4Lay a level along the fronts and note if they are out of line
- 5Record whether the gaps were always uneven or drifted over time
- 6Note any door that rubs or won't latch
- 7Photograph straight-on along the run and close-ups, dated
- 8Leave hinges as found for the fitter
Common mistakes to avoid
- Adjusting hinges to even the gaps before a fitter sees the original pattern
- Photographing at an angle so the gaps aren't comparable
- Recording one bad reveal and missing the whole-run pattern
- Ignoring a door that rubs, which links to the gaps
- Assuming a quick fix when the whole run may need re-hanging
When to involve a professional
- A kitchen fitter or cabinet maker can assess the hanging and alignment and even the reveals
- If gaps drifted over time with movement signs, a building professional may also be relevant
- Avoid adjusting hinges before assessment, as it can mask the original pattern
- What is involved varies by cabinet system and installation, and a professional should confirm the cause
Frequently asked questions
Questions readers ask about this topic
Why are my cabinet gaps uneven?
Uneven reveals can come from how the units were hung, hinge adjustment drifting, or units shifting over time. Recording whether the inconsistency is whole-run or local helps a fitter judge which before they arrive.
Is this the same as a misaligned door?
It is related but broader — this is about the consistency of gaps across the whole run, not just one crooked door. Photographing straight-on along the run captures the pattern a fitter needs.
Should I adjust the hinges to even them up?
Adjusting before a fitter sees the original pattern can mask the cause and make their job harder. It is more useful to document the reveals as found and let them align the run properly.
Could uneven gaps mean the cabinets are moving?
Gaps that drifted over time, especially with other movement signs, can suggest shifting rather than just hanging. Noting whether they were always uneven or changed is exactly what helps a professional judge it.
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