Kitchen corners, also known as blind corners or dead corners, are notorious for being dark, deep, and inaccessible spaces where items easily get lost. With the need for kitchen storage, utilizing the corner cabinets is crucial to kitchen design.
Blind base cabinets, spice pull-outs, Lazy Susans, 3-drawer systems, and custom corner pantries are both classic and custom corner cabinetry options. The following guide explores the range of cabinet solutions that will transform your kitchen.
What are Blind Corner Cabinets?
Commonly found in L-shaped and U-shaped kitchen designs, these cabinets occupy the corner space between two sets of cabinetry that meet at a right angle. They are referred to as blind because the contents are not directly visible or easily accessible.
Blind corner cabinets are usually underutilized due to their awkward placement. However, with cabinet solutions, you can access the space as a fully functional part of the kitchen.
Classic Corner Cabinet Solutions
These corner cabinet solutions are a classic for a reason – they are tried and true methods of increasing efficiency in your kitchen corners. They come in different designs, such as rotating trays, pull-out drawers, and swing-out shelves, and are easy to install and maintain.
Blind base corner cabinets with full-access trays
This type of blind cabinet is a base cabinet. Its trays pull and glide aside, allowing back trays to move into the opening. Together with rails to keep items secure, the trays allow for quick and seamless access to cabinet items.
Blind base corner cabinets with pull-out storage
Like the blind base cabinets with full-access trays, these feature kidney-shaped swing-out shelves with adjustable heights. They are designed to maximize the utility of difficult-to-access cabinets with easy-to-use shelving.
Spice pull-out
This narrow, vertical storage solution is designed specifically for organizing and storing spices. Usually installed next to cooking areas for easy access, the spice pull-out units fit into small spaces between larger cabinets and appliances.
Lazy Susan
A cornerstone of cabinet solutions, the Lazy Susan is a rotating shelf designed to fit into cabinet corners. Adding tiers to the Lazy Susan enhances and increases storage. It is considered the quintessential solution for kitchen accessibility.
Half Lazy Susan
These feature half-moon or half-circle shelves that glide along a side pole for individual operation. The glide-out shelves are great for small appliances like toasters and blenders, contributing to a clutter-free cooking environment.
Appliance garage
Designed to house small appliances, this type of cabinet features a roll-up door or a lift-up mechanism, resembling a mini garage. They are great for kitchen corners, further utilizing the usually awkward space.
Pros and Cons of Corner Cabinets
Corner kitchen cabinets offer a way to maximize storage and enhance the aesthetic of a kitchen. Their design and functionality can come with challenges such as accessibility and the potential for wasted space.
PROS of Corner Kitchen Cabinets
You can make use of every inch of corner space with effective storage and accessibility solutions, like pull-outs and roll-outs. The versatile storage is adaptable to various kitchen layouts and maximizes your kitchen’s efficiency.
CONS of Corner Kitchen Cabinets
Without storage options or pull-out drawers and shelves, corner cabinets are difficult to access and find what you need. They typically end up with wasted space due to awkward dimensions and are more difficult to install than regular cabinet units.
Tips and Considerations When Addressing Corner Cabinets
- Choose cabinet doors wisely, such as accordion or tambour doors, which open by sliding along a track and folding or rolling up. These are a great solution for spaces where traditional doors might hamper functionality in the kitchen.
- Consider Lazy Susans when it comes to your next DIY kitchen project. DIY is a great option that will save time and money.
- Remember to use your space efficiently and choose items to store in your cabinets that will minimize clutter instead of adding to it.
- Consider the door swing when installing corner cabinets and make sure the door doesn’t interfere with other cabinets or appliances.
- Ease of maintenance is important to consider, so choose a corner cabinet solution that you can clean and maintain easily.
Corner cabinets no longer need to be the kitchen’s Achilles’ heel. With a range of classic to custom, every corner can be transformed into a functional and accessible space. From pull-out shelves to lazy susans, many innovative solutions can maximize your storage capacity and make your kitchen more functional and enjoyable to use. To see how your chosen cabinets will work in your space, schedule, and meet with our designers for a Free Design.
