Concealed Hinges as Replacements for IKEA Hemnes Wardrobes: How to Measure 35mm Cups Correctly

A concealed hinge is a hidden furniture fitting whose cylindrical cup is inset into a precisely routed hole in the cabinet door – in standard furniture systems, this cup diameter measures exactly 35 mm.

When the doors on a trusted piece of furniture like the IKEA Hemnes wardrobe sag, squeak, or fail to close smoothly, the problem is almost always worn-out hinges. Replacing the fittings is a precise yet straightforward technical routine, provided the replacement parts match the existing drillings and carcass dimensions precisely. Particularly on large-format pieces of furniture, such as a wardrobe measuring 180 cm in height or a solid wardrobe for 2 persons, the hinges carry substantial weight.

This guide is aimed at fitters and technically skilled users who need to identify the correct concealed hinge based on hard criteria such as cup dimensions, drilling patterns, and mounting overlay types.

The Most Important Buying Criteria for Replacement Concealed Hinges

When replacing hinges on existing wardrobes, the new hardware must fit the pre-existing drill holes. Incorrect dimensions mean the door cannot be mounted or will catch against the carcass.

Cup Diameter and Cup Depth

The most important dimension is the diameter of the circular recess in the door. In almost all standard cabinets, this measures exactly 35 mm. Less commonly, usually on very lightweight or narrow doors, 26 mm is used. For heavy cabinet doors, 35 mm concealed hinges are mandatory. The standard cup depth (the depth of the hole in the wood) ranges from 11.5 mm to 12.5 mm.

The Drilling Pattern (Screw Hole Spacing)

Next to the large cup are two smaller drillings for the fixing screws. The distance between these two screw holes (measured centre-to-centre) varies depending on the manufacturer. Common dimensions are 45 mm, 48 mm, or 52 mm. Measure this distance precisely on the old hinge using a vernier caliper to avoid having to drill new holes into the door.

The Mounting Type (Overlay)

The mounting type defines how the door rests on the side panel (the carcass) when closed. This is the most common source of purchasing errors.

• Full overlay: The door rests almost completely on the outer side panel of the cabinet (also called standard overlay). For a classic two-door wardrobe, you will need full overlay hinges for both doors.
• Half overlay: Two doors share a central partition panel (also called dual mounting). Each door covers only half the edge of the central partition (approx. 8 mm to 9.5 mm). This setup requires a half overlay hinge.
• Inset: The door does not sit on top of the carcass edge, but closes flush inside the side panels. For this construction, you need inset concealed hinges.

The Opening Angle

The standard opening angle for regular wardrobe doors is 110°. This angle is sufficient to access clothing comfortably. However, if the wardrobe features internal drawers that need to pull out, a wider angle is often necessary so the opened door does not obstruct the drawer runners.

• Standard doors: 110-degree concealed hinges
• Doors with internal pull-outs: 155-degree concealed hinges or 165°.

Overview of Types and Options

Hinge mechanisms have evolved over time. When replacing them, you can decide whether to retain standard functionality or carry out a technical upgrade.

Hinges with Integrated Soft-Close

A modern soft-close system slows the door down during the final centimetres of its closing movement and pulls it silently against the carcass. On high-quality replacement parts, the damper cylinder is concealed directly inside the hinge arm. Soft-close hinges not only reduce noise but also protect carcass joints by preventing harsh impacts when doors are slammed.

Mounting Plates: Slide-On vs. Clip-On Technology

The concealed hinge is secured to a cross mounting plate screwed to the interior side panel of the cabinet.

• With older slide-on technology, the hinge is slid onto the plate and secured with a locking screw.
• Modern clip-on technology allows the door to snap onto the mounting plate without tools simply by pressing it into place. This offers a huge installation advantage, particularly on tall wardrobes (e.g. 180 cm high).

Decision Guide: Which Hinge for Which Scenario?

Selecting the exact fitting depends on the construction of your wardrobe. The concealed hinge acts as the joint of the cabinet – if it does not fit perfectly, the door will catch against the carcass or cannot be adjusted properly.

• If you are repairing the outer right or left door of a standard wardrobe, then select a full overlay hinge with a 110° opening angle.
• If you have a three-door wardrobe and are replacing the middle door, then you strictly require a half overlay hinge, as this door shares the carcass edge with the adjacent door.
• If the wardrobe door could hit an adjacent wall when opened (e.g. in narrow hallways), then restrict the opening angle to 90° or use 90-degree concealed hinges.
• If the cabinet is very deep (e.g. 50 cm or 60 cm depth) and you are retrofitting internal drawers, then switch to wide-angle hinges (155°) so that the full extension runner mechanism does not catch against the inside of the door.

Installation Advice: How to Measure and Fit 35mm Cup Diameters Correctly

Replacing hinges requires precise work. If you reuse the existing drill holes, the process takes only a few minutes.

Required tools:

• Vernier caliper (gauge)
• Cordless screwdriver with matching bit (usually PZ2)
• A manual screwdriver if necessary for fine adjustment

Step-by-step replacement:

1. Removal: Loosen the clamping screw or release the clip mechanism on the hinge arm and take the door off. Next, remove the screws from the cup and from the mounting plate inside the cabinet.
2. Measuring: Use the vernier caliper to check the diameter of the circular recess in the door. It must measure 35 mm. Measure the distance between the two small screw holes next to it.
3. Fitting the mounting plate: Secure the new cross mounting plate to the inside panel of the cabinet. Modern cabinets use the System 32 standard for this, featuring rows of holes spaced 32 mm apart.
4. Inserting the concealed hinge: Insert the new hinge cup into the 35 mm recess in the door. Ensure the hinge sits at an exact 90-degree angle to the door edge before tightening the two fixing screws.
5. Clipping into place: Lift the door and clip the hinge arm onto the mounting plate.
6. 3D Adjustment: Align the door using the three adjustment screws on the hinge arm.

• Front screw: Adjusts the gap between doors (lateral adjustment).
• Rear screw: Regulates the distance between door and carcass (depth adjustment).
• Mounting plate screws: Allow height adjustment of the entire door.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Replacing Hinges

Can I use any 35 mm concealed hinge for my wardrobe? No. While the 35 mm diameter is standardised, the drilling pattern (the screw hole spacing at the cup) and especially the overlay type (full overlay, half overlay, or inset) must match your wardrobe construction precisely.

How many hinges do I need per door? The quantity depends on the height and weight of the door. For small doors up to 90 cm, two hinges are sufficient. For a typical wardrobe door between 180 cm and 200 cm in height, four hinges should be fitted to prevent sagging and warping.

Why does the door not sit flush after replacement? If the door stands proud or catches, this is usually due to improper adjustment. Use the depth adjustment screw on the hinge arm to draw the door closer to the carcass. Also check whether you inadvertently installed a half overlay hinge instead of a full overlay hinge.

Does the depth of the wardrobe affect the hinge selection? No. Whether the wardrobe is 50 cm deep or 60 cm deep has no bearing on the choice of concealed hinge. The only relevant factors are door thickness, cup dimensions, and the position of the side panel. Carcass depth only becomes relevant when planning wardrobe accessories like clothes rails or pull-out fittings.

What does System 32 mean for mounting plates? System 32 is an international standard in furniture manufacturing. It refers to the hole patterns drilled into the side panels of cabinets. The centre-to-centre distance between holes is always 32 mm, and the distance to the front edge is usually 37 mm. Almost all modern mounting plates are designed around this grid.

Matching Categories for Your Project

To find the exact replacement hardware for your cabinet setup, navigate directly to the relevant technical category:

• All variants for standard and specialised solutions: Concealed Hinges / Cabinet Hinges
• For classic external doors: Full Overlay Concealed Hinges
• For shared central partitions: Half Overlay Concealed Hinges
• For inset door fronts: Inset Concealed Hinges
• Upgrades for silent closing: Soft-Close Concealed Hinges