If your kitchen corner cabinets are a jumbled mess of cast-off appliances, half-used ingredients, and specialty cookware you never touch, you’re not alone. The depth and odd angles of corner cabinets make them magnets for clutter. However, with some strategic organization, you can transform those pesky corners into functional storage space. Read on for tips from professional organizers on how to maximize your corner cabinet storage and create a decluttered, harmonious kitchen.
First, let’s look at why organizing your corner cabinets is so important for your kitchen. Beyond just making it look nicer, proper organization has many practical benefits.
Why Organize Your Corner Cabinets?
Taking the time to organize your corner cabinets allows you to make the most of often underutilized space. Proper organization means you can easily access items without having to rummage around and make a mess. An organized kitchen promotes a minimalist, clutter-free environment that is both functional and visually calming. Organizing your cabinets also saves time in meal preparation – no more searching every shelf to find that one ingredient or tool you need!
Assessing Your Corner Cabinet Storage Needs
Before shopping for organizers, take an inventory of everything you need to store in your corner cabinets – bakeware, appliances, pantry items, etc. Measure the interior dimensions of your cabinets so you know what sizes of organizers will fit the space. Consider which items you access most frequently. This will determine optimal placement based on ease of access.
Solutions for Upper Corner Cabinets
Lazy Susans
Lazy susans are a great way to take advantage of unused space in upper corner cabinets. The spinning, round shelves provide easy access to items that otherwise get buried. Choose a model at least 16-18 inches to maximize shelf space. Lazy susans keep frequently used items right at your fingertips.
Store spices, oils, condiments, sauces, and other round jars on a lazy susan. The spinning shelves make these staples easy to grab when cooking. For upper cabinets, a large lazy susan can hold multiple small appliances like a blender or food processor that you use often.
Vertical Organizers
Add inexpensive wire or solid shelving units vertically along the sides of the cabinet to maximize space. This is perfect for storing baking sheets, cutting boards, and other tall, narrow items. Install shelves at varying heights customized to your storage needs. See-through wire shelves prevent items from getting buried behind solid shelves.
Turntables
Turntables function similarly to lazy susans but have stationary shelves that pivot for access. The shelves connect to a rotating base. This provides easy access to items in the back of an upper corner cabinet. Turntables take up less depth than lazy susans, making them ideal for smaller spaces.
Solutions for Bottom Corner Cabinets
Swing-Out Shelves
Install swing-out shelves or trays on smooth ball bearing tracks to utilize all of your base cabinet space. Swing-out shelves allow you to access items at the back of deep corner cabinets with just a light pull. Opt for a dual swing-out with shelving on both sides or a single sided swing-out. For short cabinets, a simple rollout shelf brings items in reach.
Slide-Out Drawers
Slide-out drawers can transform a hard-to-access corner cabinet into functional storage space. Look for drawer organizers designed specifically for corner cabinets. Slide-out drawers provide easy access to contents from above, unlike swing-outs accessed from the front. Keep essentials like spices and condiments handy in slide-out drawers.
Base Lazy Susans
Two-tiered lazy susan organizers are ideal for maximizing your base cabinet storage. Items are easily accessible with a spin of the shelves. A two-tier lazy susan doubles your organization space. Sturdy models with handles allow you to spin the tower and reach items in the back with ease.
Bins and Organizers
Use clear plastic bins to neatly organize your lower corner cabinets. Label bins to easily identify contents like baking ingredients, snacks, or cooking oils. Acrylic bins let you see what’s inside without unpacking everything. Pull-out cabinet organizers keep all your bins visible and accessible.
Tips for Maintaining Organization
Simply installing organizers isn’t enough – you need to actively maintain the system. Label shelves, bins, and containers so items get returned to their designated homes. Minimize clutter by only keeping essentials inside the most accessible cabinets. Use the “first in, first out” method of rotating older food items to the front. Wipe down shelves regularly to keep your corner cabinet cleaning looking as organized as the contents.
Sometimes organizing simply means removing excess. Take inventory and consider if you really use each item currently taking up space in your corner. Can lesser used items be stored in the pantry or on high shelves you access less often? Be picky about only keeping essentials in your prime kitchen cabinet real estate.
Having multipurpose tools and gadgets instead of several single-use items can also minimize cabinet clutter. Embracing a minimalist mindset when it comes to your kitchen tools and cookware makes it easier to keep your cabinets neatly organized.
You can say goodbye to corner cabinet chaos with the right combination of storage solutions and organizational habits. Just think – no more rummaging through a mess to find what you need. A place for everything and everything in its place – that’s the corner cabinet motto to live by for kitchen organization success!
