Magnetic catches keep kitchen cabinet doors from drifting open and keep the doors firmly shut. They also provide enough of a deterrent to keep pets from opening the cabinet doors, although another safety device should be installed if you are concerned about small children. Installing magnetic catches on kitchen cabinet doors is a simple project, but it requires careful measuring and a few basic woodworking skills to complete.
Step 1: Decide where you wish to place each magnetic catch. They should be on the side of the cabinet that is opposite of the hinges, at the top or bottom of the cabinet.
Step 2: Place the magnetic catch in the corner and mark the location of the catch with a pencil. Close the door, then open the door adjacent to that door. Draw a mark on the inside of the cabinet door that aligns with the first mark. This will ensure that the catch perfectly aligns when closed.
Step 3: Put the magnetic catch against the mark. Mark the location of any screw holes. Remove the magnetic catch and drill pilot holes.
Step 4: Attach the magnetic catch with screws inserted into the pilot holes using a screwdriver.
Step 5: Place the opposite side of the magnetic catch against the mark on the inside of the door. Mark the location of screw holes and drill the necessary pilot holes.
Step 6: Attach the opposite side of the magnetic closure to the cabinet door using screws.
Step 7: Close the kitchen cabinet door. Open the adjacent door to make sure that the two pieces align perfectly on the inside of the cabinet.
TIP: If you’ve made an error, it may be easiest to remove the magnetic closure attached to the actual cabinet and not the door. Simply patch the screw holes and try again to align the two pieces.
Step 8: Pull the kitchen cabinet door open. It should open with slight resistance. If it appears to be working correctly, continue by installing a magnetic catch to the next door.
