European hinge is the term for a large collection of completely hidden cabinet hinges available on the market in present times. It is however noteworthy that the term originally referred to a cup hinge which was so named because it was the most commonly used hinge in today's European cabinetry. In Germany and several other European countries, the kitchen cabinets are personally owned by the occupants of the home, and this holds true even in rented homes. To be easily removed, earlier versions of cup hinges offered a dimensional flexibility which allows cabinets to be installed in rooms varying measurements. The European hinge is ideal for frameless cabinet installation and permits vertical and horizontal corrections of cabinet door alignment.

 

European hinges in non-European countries such as the US is a substitute term for the widely used hidden cabinet hinges. One of the main reasons why European hinges have grown in global popularity is due to the currently high availability and popularity of frameless cabinets which minimize the need for trim boards and overlays. European hinges promote a neater aesthetic on kitchen cabinets by eliminating the need for supporting frames which normally hold door stops and the hinges.