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Help! Door latch hitting cabinet

11 months ago
last modified: 11 months ago

Just finished bathroom remodel and last step was putting on the door. However, the door knob latch hits against the cabinet. Looking for creative workaround ideas. The installer says he can cut/shave down the countertop on both front corners but I'm not sold that he can make them look exactly the same based on the fact that he said he bought something on Amazon to get it done. We have thought of a few options but can't agree on best option:

1. Put fake door handle without a latch and install a lock elsewhere on the door.

2. Ask handyman to trim door

3. Cut/shave the countertop

Any other ideas???




Comments (21)

  • 11 months ago

    I can’t tell from the photos you posted if this will work. A door hinge stop can be added to keep the bathroom door from fully opening into the counter.

  • 11 months ago

    Unfortunately the cabinet is right when you walk in the door so it opens right into the cabinet.

  • 11 months ago

    The counter is too deep. It shouldn't go past the door molding.

    Did the vanity location change in the remodel?

    We replaced our old vanity this past winter. Getting the gory details right regarding the door swing/molding clearance/hardware clearance took some attention to detail.

  • 11 months ago

    yes, the vanity changed. the original door opened outward into the hallway and it drove me crazy so I insisted the door must open inward. We installed the cabinet over a few inches but apparently that wasn't enough.

  • 11 months ago

    Did you install the vanity or did a contractor? You mention a contractor - did he fabricate the countertop? If a contractor was involved, he should have made sure the correct clearances were included - including so your bathroom door could close without hitting your vanity countertop!


    Is there a way for the door to be changed to a pocket door?


    I would expect my contractor to solve the issue.

  • PRO
    11 months ago

    You need a different vanity. One that is more shallow in depth. There are no unimportant measurements when designing.

  • 11 months ago

    dani_m08, We had someone help us install the vanity. The countertop came with the vanity. A pocket door could be another option. Not sure what that would entail but I'm guessing I can't reuse this nice new door I just bought.


    Monique, the vanity is in and not moving. It was one of my splurges. But yes, hindsight is 20/20!

  • 11 months ago

    Can the door be made smaller by a half an inch or so on the hinge side, then wood trim added to the wall on the latch side to make up for the new half inch gap?


    Have you already investigated having the countertop itself altered in the back?

  • 11 months ago

    Wrong vanity on multiple design fronts. It's too deep. Put it on Marketplace.

  • PRO
    11 months ago

    The vanity has to go.

  • 11 months ago

    Thank you for all the ideas We are going to look into a pocket door, barn door, or moving the door handle higher.

  • PRO
    11 months ago

    Any vanity extending beyond the casing is a HUGE mistake. Add in the fact that you also pulled it off the wall for things to fall off and get stuck in the impossible to clean spider webs? You should be running to sell it and find one that actually fits. That is so amateur, and only an amateur doubles down on a mistake. Trying to make it work will only make everything worse.


    It’s a Sunk Cost Fallacy.

  • 11 months ago



  • 11 months ago

    partim, this is exactly the kind of tweak I was looking for! Thanks! Turning off notifications now that I have found the answer! Thanks all!

  • PRO
    11 months ago

    Sell the vanity.

  • 11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago

    It's also possible that you could just fill the hole and get it smooth enough that you don't need the escutcheon. Cut a rough round of wood from an old door, even it off with wood filler.

  • 11 months ago

    I would put the door back the way it was, to open out, so you are far away from the vanity. I agree, its nicer to open in, but, not, when it rubs a nice countertop. Your contractor, should have known, and done things differently.

  • 11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago

    Put the door back to the outswing as cat_ky mentions above. That is the path of least resistance. Needed to do more due diligence on the front end and at this point swapping the door swing would be the easiest path.

  • PRO
    11 months ago

    If you don't want to follow all ^^^ suggestions above, get a new door slab and raise the lock, use an eye and hook latch, or a sliding latch...

  • 11 months ago

    I definitely agree that raising the knob and having that plate is a great idea!