Scandinavian Kitchen: Light Cabinets, Wooden Handles and Minimalist Hinges
A Scandinavian kitchen is characterised by light fronts, functional wooden handles, and concealed cup hinges that ensure a clean, uncluttered look.
Anyone wishing to implement this clear, Nordic style in their own home often faces the task of combining aesthetics with technical functionality. Building a kitchen yourself requires precise planning, the correct tools, and a basic understanding of furniture fittings. In this guide, DIY enthusiasts will learn how to achieve the Scandinavian look through the right choice of materials, accurate dimensions, and the correct installation of hinges and drawer runners.
The Scandinavian Design Concept in the Kitchen
The Nordic interior design style is based on brightness, functionality, and natural materials. Scandinavian furniture avoids heavy ornamentation, focusing instead on straight lines. For the construction or renovation of a kitchen, this means:
- Fronts: White, light grey, or pastel surfaces are frequently used. The core material is usually chipboard or MDF, coated with melamine resin to withstand kitchen humidity.
- Wood accents: A wooden kitchen run or fronts in a light decor such as Sonoma Oak or Wotan Oak introduce warmth to the space.
- Handles: Instead of cool stainless steel, furniture handles for the kitchen made from untreated or matt-lacquered wood are often installed. They create a visible contrast against smooth fronts.
Minimalist Hinges: The Technology Behind the Front
To keep the exterior appearance of the cabinets undisturbed, choosing the correct hinges is crucial. In modern cabinet making, the concealed cup hinge is the standard. It is recessed into a milled hole on the inside of the door and remains completely invisible when the door is closed.
For classic base cabinets and wall cabinets in kitchens, the following technical guidelines apply:
- Drilling hole: The standard diameter for the hinge cup is 35 mm. The drilling depth is approximately 11.5 mm to 12.5 mm.
- Opening angle: For standard kitchen cabinet doors, an angle of 110° is sufficient. Suitable 110-degree cup hinges allow convenient access to the cabinet interior without the door striking neighbouring cabinets.
- Mounting type: If the door overlays the side panels of the carcass flush, a full overlay hinge is required. If two doors share a single central divider, a half overlay hinge is used.
- Soft-close: A central element of the Scandinavian lifestyle is peace and quiet. Therefore, concealed cup hinges with soft-close mechanisms should be installed. An integrated damper slows the door down over the final centimetres and pulls it shut silently.
The Interior: Planning Drawers and Runners Correctly
An uncluttered exterior requires an equally well-structured interior layout. Planning the drawer interior determines the ergonomics of the entire kitchen.
When constructing drawers for cutlery, pans, or provisions, the choice of runner is decisive. For kitchen cabinets with a standard depth of 60 cm, runners with a length of 450 mm to 500 mm are usually fitted. In this case, a full-extension runner is strongly recommended. Unlike a partial-extension runner, which only extends out of the carcass by around 75%, a full-extension runner pulls out 100%. This makes accessing items right at the back of the drawer far easier.
To structure the interior of drawers functionally, a drawer organiser for the kitchen is practical. Wooden cutlery inserts or divider strips echo the Scandinavian aesthetic internally as well.
Dimensions and System Standards in Kitchen Assembly
Those building or modifying cabinets usually work according to System 32. This standardised hole spacing system in furniture manufacturing ensures that hinges, shelf supports, and drawer runners remain compatible.
- The distance from hole centre to hole centre is exactly 32 mm.
- The distance from the front row of holes to the front edge of the carcass is standardly 37 mm.
- The diameter of the drill holes for shelf supports or Euro screws is generally 5 mm.
Typical dimensions for kitchen base units are a depth of 58 cm (excluding the front) and a carcass height of 72 cm to 80 cm. Adding height-adjustable plinth feet and a 38 mm thick worktop results in an ergonomic working height of 85 cm to 95 cm.
Step-by-Step: Installing and Adjusting Concealed Cup Hinges
Installing cabinet doors is a central step in kitchen assembly. With the following instructions, DIYers can complete the installation successfully.
Required Tools and Materials
- Cordless drill/driver
- Forstner bit (35 mm)
- Cross-head screwdriver or bit (e.g. PZ2)
- Tape measure and pencil
- Wood screws PZ2 (usually 3.5 mm or 4 mm diameter, with a length matched to door thickness, e.g. 16 mm)
1. Drilling the Cup Hole
Mark the hinge position on the inside of the door. The distance from the centre of the hole to the edge of the door (the cup drilling distance) is between 3 mm and 6 mm for most standard hinges. Drill the 35 mm hole using the Forstner bit. Take care not to drill entirely through the front.
2. Inserting and Screwing the Hinge
Place the cup hinge into the drilled hole at a right angle to the door edge. Fasten it with the appropriate chipboard screws. The PZ (Pozidriv) drive provides a solid grip for the bit and prevents slipping.
3. Attaching the Cruciform Mounting Plate to the Carcass
Transfer the measurements to the inside of the carcass. Screw the mounting plate into place. When using existing hole patterns based on System 32, pre-mounted Euro screws are often used.
4. Clipping On and Adjusting the Door
Modern hinges feature a clip-on mechanism. Press the hinge onto the mounting plate until it audibly clicks into position. Next comes 3D adjustment. Adjusting the hinges works like fine-tuning an instrument – a few millimetres turned on the adjusting screw brings the reveal into perfect alignment. You can adjust the door in height, depth (distance from the carcass), and lateral overlay until the reveals across the entire kitchen run are uniform.
5. The Finishing Touch
To conceal exposed screw heads inside the carcass and maintain a clean Scandinavian look, self-adhesive wood-effect cover caps can be applied. They also protect the screws from moisture and dust.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Kitchen Installation
Which hinge do I need for a standard kitchen door? For a door that overlays the side panels of the cabinet flush, you need a full overlay hinge. An opening angle of 110° is ideal for most kitchen applications.
How do I make deep kitchen drawers more organised? Use dividing systems and organisers. Technically, it is essential that the drawer is mounted on a full-extension runner. This is the only way to pull the box out of the cabinet completely and effortlessly reach items at the back of 60 cm deep base units.
Can I convert my existing kitchen to a Scandinavian style? Yes. Replacing the fronts or even just the handles (switching to wooden handles) significantly transforms the look. If the old doors slam loudly, existing hinges can often be replaced with new soft-close models, provided the 35 mm cup hole diameter matches.
Related Projects
The principles of Scandinavian design and the hardware technology used can easily be applied to other rooms. The combination of light wood-based materials, concealed hinges, and full-extension runners is equally effective when building bathroom furniture, hallway chests of drawers, or designing functional bedside tables for the bedroom.