Kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, and finding the right cabinetry layout can be a challenge. For small or awkwardly angled kitchens, corner cabinets present a smart storage solution. Corner kitchen cabinets maximize your available space, tuck away bulky appliances, and simply look built-in and polished. However, to work optimally, corner cabinets require careful planning and design.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know for choosing, designing, and installing corner kitchen cabinets. With some strategic thinking and precision, you can take advantage of those tucked-away corners and create a kitchen that’s both spacious and stunning.
What Are Corner Kitchen Cabinets?
Corner kitchen cabinets refer to any cabinetry installed where two walls meet in a corner. Rather than leaving the space empty, corner cabinets make use of the area for storage and appliances.
Corner cabinets come in many variations, but most fall into two main categories:
Blind Corner Cabinets
Blind corner cabinets have an angled front panel but no access door on the corner side. The cabinet interior can only be accessed from one direction. These take advantage of unused space but have limited accessibility.
Lazy Susan Corner Cabinets
Lazy susans maximize storage with shelves or trays that rotate for full corner access. The rotating trays bring items from the back corner to the front opening. Lazy susan corners provide efficient storage and easier access.
Benefits of Corner Kitchen Cabinets
Installing specialty cabinets in your corners provides several benefits:
Maximize Space
Corners are often wasted space in kitchens. Corner cabinets transform the area into usable storage space, which is especially helpful in small kitchens.
Storage Solutions
Corner cabinets provide smart spaces to store bulky, oddly shaped, or lesser-used items. This clears up easier-to-access cabinet space for everyday dishware.
Built-In Appeal
Well-integrated corner cabinets create a unified look compared to leaving corners empty. The custom fitted cabinets look polished and purposeful.
Increased Accessibility
While blind corners have limited access, lazy susans create full corner availability. The rotating shelves conveniently bring items from back to front.
Taking advantage of corner dead space with specialized cabinetry is an intelligent use of your kitchen’s footprint. The extra storage and seamless look also add functionality and style.
Considerations for Corner Kitchen Cabinets
While corner cabinets optimize space, they require extra planning and precision. Keep the following considerations in mind:
Angles and Clearances
Accurately measure the corner angles and surrounding cabinets to ensure a proper fit. Leave ample clearance so drawers and doors fully open.
Cabinet Swing
Door and lazy susan operation should avoid hitting walls or clashing with other cabinet doors.
Weight Distribution
Contents should be evenly distributed so rotating trays don’t get off balance. Heavy items should go on lower shelves.
Ease of Access
Corner cabinet contents should be items used less frequently. Daily-use items are better stored in more convenient areas.
Putting some forethought into placement, traffic patterns, storage needs, and accessibility will ensure your corner cabinets operate optimally.
Types of Corner Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen corners can be transformed into storage space with these common cabinet styles:
Diagonal Corner Cabinets
These have angled cabinet faces meeting to form the corner. The fronts give an illusion of more space. Interior shelves accommodate storage.
Blind Corner Base Cabinets
The blind base sits perpendicular to standard base cabinets. A panel faces the corner for a streamlined look with interior shelves or drawers.
Blind Corner Wall Cabinets
Wall cabinets take advantage of corner space with front-facing cabinets and interior storage accessible from only one side.
Lazy Susan Cabinets
A round, rotating tray or shelf provides full corner access. Contents smoothly pivot from back to front opening.
Hinged Door Cabinets
Doors close over storage space built into the corner. Hinges allow the doors to open fully for interior access.
Open Shelf Corner Cabinets
Open shelving creates display space and easy access. This works well for decorative items or frequently used kitchenwares.
With planning, even the most awkward corners can be transformed into functional spaces with these cabinet options. Consider the size of your kitchen, traffic patterns, and storage needs to select the best corner cabinet style.
Choosing the Best Corner Cabinets
Several factors go into choosing optimal corner cabinets for your kitchen:
Kitchen Layout
Consider the full kitchen layout and existing cabinetry when planning new corners. Measure precisely and select cabinets that complement the footprint.
Usage
Determine what you intend to store in the cabinets. For dishes or cooking items, lazy susans create accessible storage. For bulky appliances, closed cabinets streamline the look.
Traffic Flow
Corner cabinet doors and shelves shouldn’t interfere with kitchen traffic patterns when opened. Allow clearance for routes through the kitchen.
Storage Needs
Maximize corner space for lesser used items like infrequently used appliances, overflow dishware, or specialty cooking items. Save prime cabinets for everyday dishes.
Accessibility
Canned goods and stable items work for blind corner cabinets. Lazy susans better serve dishes and perishables that need regular access.
Style
Match the cabinet style and finishes to your kitchen design, whether modern simplicity or ornate detailing. Consistent finishes unify the look.
Choose corner cabinets suited for your kitchen’s particular storage needs, traffic patterns, and style. Taking measurements and planning the cabinetry layout will ensure your new corners fit and function beautifully.
Designing and Installing Corner Cabinets
Once you’ve selected corner cabinet styles, proper design and installation techniques will ensure they work optimally within your space:
Carefully Measure
Use a tape measure to precisely gauge the corner angles, distance from adjoining cabinets, ceiling height, and any obstructions. Accurate measurements allow proper cabinet selection and placement.
Mark Electrical and Plumbing
Note overhead lighting, under-cabinet plugs, and any plumbing in the corner area to avoid drilling into them. Mark locations on installation drawings.
Coordinate with Existing Cabinets
Design and install corner cabinets to align with the height, depth, and style of existing kitchen cabinetry for a cohesive look.
Account for Clearances
Allow for ample clearance so cabinet doors fully swing open without hitting walls or clashing with other doors.
Install Sturdy Cabinet Frames
Securely screw cabinets into wall studs or use robust anchors for heavy upper cabinets. Level and reinforce frames to support loaded contents without sagging.
Include Functional Interior Fittings
Install adjustable shelves and drawers suited for the items being stored. Use organizers to neatly accommodate supplies.
Check Operation
Test cabinet door swings and lazy susan rotation to ensure smooth operation after installation. Adjust as needed.
With careful measurements, coordinated design, and proper installation, your new corner cabinets can be seamlessly integrated into your kitchen.
Creative Corner Cabinet Ideas
Beyond basic storage, corner cabinets can also provide specialty functions with some clever designing:
- Appliance garage – Hide stand mixers, blenders, toasters, etc. behind doors to reduce countertop clutter.
- Pantry pull-outs – Use pull out shelves to create an accessible corner pantry zone for snacks or baking items.
- Cleaning supply cabinet – Corral brooms, mops, cleaners and other maintenance items into a dedicated corner storage spot.
- Dish storage – Make lesser-used serving ware or special occasion dish sets easily accessible in corner cabinets with lazy susans.
- Baking station – Install a corner cabinet with roll-out trays to create an organized baking station for cookbooks, ingredients and pans.
- Craft storage – If located near a family room, use corner cabinets with a lazy susan to neatly store art supplies.
- Pet food station – Designate a lower corner cabinet with pull-out bins for pet food bags and bowls.
Get creative with how you utilize the specialized storage options of corner cabinetry. They can be customized to suit your family’s needs and activities.
FAQs About Corner Kitchen Cabinets
Still have some questions about choosing and installing corner cabinets? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What items work best in corner cabinets?
Corner cabinets work well for items used selectively or seasonally like serving ware, small appliances, baking pans, craft supplies, or infrequently used dinnerware.
How much weight can corner cabinets hold?
Properly installed corner cabinets can typically hold as much weight as standard cabinets. For heavy loads, add extra screws into wall studs and use sturdy base supports.
How do I access a blind corner cabinet?
Blind corner cabinets have an access point on only one side. Spinning lazy susan trays provide full corner accessibility.
Can I install corner cabinets myself?
With accurate measurements, the right materials, and good carpentry skills, DIY installation is possible. Consider hiring a carpenter for built-ins.
What’s the best way to organize a corner cabinet?
Revolving trays, adjustable shelves, cabinet pulls, and bins help maximize usable space. Install organizers suited for your intended stored items.
With some clever planning to make the most of their specialized storage capacity, corner cabinets can become one of the most useful spaces in your kitchen. Take time to determine your family’s needs and access preferences to select the best corner cabinet configurations. Using corners for smart organization and hidden storage can make a kitchen both more spacious and stylish.
Conclusion
Corner kitchen cabinets provide excellent ways to take advantage of often underutilized space in room layouts. With careful planning and design, corners can be transformed into accessible storage that makes kitchens more functional and visually pleasing.
By selecting cabinet styles based on your family’s needs and traffic flow, corners become smart organizational zones. Customized interiors with lazy susans, pull-outs, and adjustable shelves optimize the specialized storage space.
Accurately measuring and designing the cabinets for proper clearance ensures seamless functionality within your existing kitchen footprint. Put some strategic thought into how you can best use corner space, and you’ll uncover wasted areas that can become highly useful with the right cabinetry.
With their angled architecture and smart rotating shelves, corner cabinets unlock the storage potential in those tucked-away corners we often overlook. Making the most of every inch, corner cabinetry solutions create kitchens that are both spacious and striking.
