Know which corner cabinet you have
There are two common types. A blind corner cabinet has a regular door on one side and a deep section that disappears behind the adjoining cabinet. An L-shaped corner has a door that opens at the angle, often with a built-in lazy Susan.
Open the door and look. If you can see the back wall straight ahead, it is L-shaped. If you have to reach sideways into the dark, it is a blind corner.
For L-shaped corners, turntables do the work
If the cabinet has a working lazy Susan, organize each tier by category, such as oils and vinegars on top and baking dishes below. Avoid tall items on the edge that catch on the frame when it spins.
If there is no built-in carousel, a large freestanding turntable, often 16 to 18 inches across, gives you the same reach. Measure the door opening before buying, since the turntable has to fit through it.
Step by step
- Empty the corner
Pull everything out, including what has been lost in the back.
- Identify the type
Decide whether it is a blind corner or an L-shaped corner.
- Measure the opening and depth
Measure the door opening, the depth and the height before choosing products.
- Choose turntables or pull-out bins
Turntables for L-shaped corners, long bins for blind corners.
- Load by frequency
Rarely used items in the back, everyday items at the door.
For blind corners, use bins you can pull
The deep section of a blind corner is the hardest spot in the kitchen to reach. Put items in long clear bins with handles, so you pull the bin to the opening rather than reaching in with your arm.
Store items you use a few times a year in that back section: a roasting pan, holiday platters, a backup blender. Keep everyday items in the part closest to the door.
- Long clear bins with front handles
- A two-tier sliding organizer in the front section
- Stacking shelves to use the height
- A small turntable in the front for oils or cleaning supplies
Decide what belongs in a corner
Corners suit bulky, durable, less-used items. A corner beside the range might hold large pots and the slow cooker. A corner beside the sink might take cleaning backup and dish towels. A pantry-adjacent corner can hold bulk snacks or paper goods.
Keep anything heat-sensitive away from corners that sit next to the oven or dishwasher, which both give off warmth in a Las Vegas kitchen that is already warm in summer. For the bigger kitchen layout, see how to organize kitchen cabinets.
Consider a hardware upgrade only after organizing
Built-in pull-out corner systems can transform a blind corner, but they require a cabinet installer. Before investing, try freestanding bins and turntables for a few weeks. Many households find that is enough.
If you do want a built-in system, we coordinate with cabinet companies and handymen and then organize the finished space. See professional organizer vs custom closet company for how those roles differ.
