Concealed Cup Hinges Suitable for Nobilia Kitchens

A matching replacement concealed cup hinge for popular brand-name kitchens requires exact dimensions for cup diameter, hole pattern, and mounting plate to seamlessly utilise existing cabinet door drillings.

When a cabinet door sags, rubs, or has a broken hinge in a fitted kitchen, a replacement is due. Often, there is also a desire to retrofit older cabinets with modern soft-close technology. For joiners, fitters, and skilled tradespeople, compatibility is the central question. To replace or upgrade a damaged hinge, you do not need a manufacturer-specific original component. As long as the mechanical parameters and drillings match, you can easily use standardised fittings as an alternative for Nobilia or other major kitchen brands.

What to Look for Regarding Compatibility? (Dimensions & System 32)

The furniture industry operates according to strict standards. A standardised hole grid in furniture assembly works like a vehicle chassis – the bodywork (the door) can be interchanged freely as long as the mounting points align precisely. To find fittings suitable for Nobilia kitchen cabinets, three core technical values must be verified:

1. The Cup Drilling

The concealed cup hinge owes its name to the cylindrical metal cup embedded into the door. In virtually all modern kitchen cabinets, the standard diameter for this hole is 35 mm. The depth of the recess is typically 11.5 mm to 12 mm. Smaller hinges measuring 26 mm are practically never used for heavy kitchen doors.

2. The Hole Pattern (Screw Spacing on the Cup)

In addition to the cup itself, the hinge is secured to the door with two screws. The distance between these two drill holes (the hole pattern) varies by system. Common dimensions are 45 mm, 48 mm, or 52 mm. When selecting concealed hinges / cabinet hinges as a replacement part, check the distance between the old screw holes beforehand to avoid having to drill into the door again.

3. The Cruciform Mounting Plate and System 32

The hinge counterpart is located inside the cabinet carcase. The cruciform mounting plate is screwed into the cabinet side panel. Here, the industry-standard System 32 applies. This means the pre-drilled holes in the cabinet side have a vertical spacing of 32 mm between them and are standardly set 37 mm from the front carcase edge. Using a mounting plate compatible with System 32 ensures it fits seamlessly into the existing hole line of the kitchen cabinet.

The Correct Overlay Type and Opening Angle

Beyond the drill dimensions, the hinge geometry determines how the door sits against the carcase. Choosing the incorrect overlay will result in the door not closing properly or colliding with the adjacent door.

• Full overlay: The closed door completely covers the front edge of the carcase wall. This is the standard scenario for standalone cabinets or units at the end of a run.
• Half overlay: Two doors share a single central carcase partition. The hinge is cranked so that each door covers only half of the front edge (approx. 8 mm).
• Inset: The door sits flush inside the carcase opening. The front edge of the carcase wall remains visible.

The opening angle determines cabinet accessibility. For standard wall and base cabinets, a standard angle is sufficient. Here, concealed hinges / cabinet hinges 110 degrees are the most common choice. However, if you are dealing with a corner cabinet, a larder unit with internal drawers, or a cabinet with a carousel, a wide-angle hinge is required. In these situations, fitters turn to concealed hinges / cabinet hinges 165 degrees so that the door swings completely clear and does not obstruct internal pull-outs.

Suitable furnica Parts for Retrofitting

If you want to upgrade existing cabinets, switching from basic hinges to models with integrated soft-close is the logical step. This damping technology brakes the door across the final centimetres and pulls it shut quietly and smoothly. Concealed hinges / cabinet hinges with soft-close are fully compatible with Nobilia, provided the aforementioned dimensions (35 mm cup, System 32) are maintained. Note: A soft-close damper is a hydraulic resistance mechanism and should not be confused functionally with push-to-open mechanisms that enable handleless opening via pressure.

Installation and Adjustment of Concealed Hinges

Replacing a hinge is a precise task with the right tools, requiring no major alterations to the furniture structure.

Tools Required

• Cordless screwdriver (for the mounting plate)
• Manual Pozi screwdriver (PZ2) for fine adjustment
• Folding rule or tape measure to verify the hole pattern

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Removal: Release the clamping screw or clip mechanism on the old hinge to detach the door from the carcase. Then unscrew the cup from the door and the mounting plate from the carcase.
2. Fitting the mounting plate: Screw the new cruciform mounting plate into the existing 32 mm hole line on the carcase side.
3. Inserting the cup: Place the 35 mm cup of the new hinge into the door recess. Ensure it sits square at a 90-degree angle to the door edge, then secure the two screws.
4. Connecting the components: Align the hinge with the mounting plate. Modern clip-on hinges can be clicked onto the plate without tools using light pressure.
5. 3D adjustment: Use the three adjustment screws on the hinge arm. The front screw regulates the lateral overlay gap, the rear screw adjusts the depth (distance from the carcase), and the screws on the mounting plate provide height adjustment.

Additional Compatible Replacement Parts for the Kitchen

Beyond hinges, other mechanical components in a kitchen experience wear and tear or require updating over time. For instance, to optimise storage space utilisation, kitchen cabinet pull-outs can be retrofitted. A full extension runner offers the advantage that the drawer can be pulled out 100% from the carcase, making access to items at the back significantly easier.

Accurate systems are available for standard dimensions. A kitchen cabinet pull-out 60 cm is ideal for standard base cabinets used to store pots or heavy supplies. Ensure you check the specified load capacity in kilograms. In addition, a kitchen drawer organiser provides the necessary internal structure.

Replacement components are also standardised for foundational hardware. If you need to replace plinth legs suitable for Nobilia, check the thread size (typically M8 or M10) and height adjustability to compensate for uneven floors down to the millimetre.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Hinges

Can I use any hinge with a 35 mm cup hole as a replacement? The 35 mm cup diameter is only one criterion. For a hinge to work as a replacement for Nobilia or other brands, the overlay type (full overlay, half overlay, or inset) and the height of the cruciform mounting plate must also match exactly.

How do I find out the opening angle of my old hinge? A standard hinge opens the door slightly beyond a right angle, typically 110°. If the door forms nearly a straight line with the closed front (e.g. in corner units), it is a wide-angle hinge of 155° or 165°.

Can older cabinets easily be retrofitted with soft-close? Yes. The most effective method is completely replacing the old hinge with a concealed hinge featuring integrated soft-close. Because the routings in the timber (35 mm cup, System 32) are standardised, switching is straightforward as long as the overlay type matches.

Why is my door misaligned after replacing the hinges? This is not a defect in the hinge, but a matter of adjustment. Use the adjustment screws on the hinge arm to adapt the door in height, depth, and lateral alignment relative to the carcase until the reveal gaps are uniform.