Unless your kitchen is wall-free, you’ve likely lamented (along with just about every other homeowner) the dreaded corner cabinet dilemma. These extra deep, “blind” cabinets are common in older St. Louis area homes and they typically end up as repositories for oversized appliances or rarely, if ever, used pots and pans.
If you’re contemplating a kitchen remodel, now’s the perfect time to take advantage of one of the many modern solutions to this frustrating problem.
Kitchen Corner Cabinet Ideas
Corners in base cabinets are tricky, and for a long time, the only viable option was a circular Lazy Susan. But today, there are many more pull-out options available from major kitchen cabinet manufacturers.
1. A blind corner base with pull-out storage is like a more ambitious Lazy Susan. The swing-out shelves are on tracks that pivot and neatly fit into the cabinet.
2. Diagonal drawers let you access every available inch for storage and let you store spices, utensils, and other items to the full depth of the inside corner cabinet.
3. A more contemporary, and also more expensive, solution is to use curved cabinets that have no corners. Or if you’re a fan of the minimalist look, staggered wall cabinets can be used to eliminate the corner dilemma altogether.
4. The classic Lazy Susan is still a reliable choice. It offers maximum use of space in diagonal wall and base cabinets and is ideal for storing containers of varying heights as well as pots and pans. It remains one of the most popular ways to turn once wasted space into an efficient, easily accessed storage area.
Which option is right for you depends on your kitchen’s layout. Diagonal drawers and Lazy Susan cabinets are fairly large, so they don’t always work well in smaller kitchens. And while diagonal bottom doors used to be the go-to solution, we now do more 90-degree corner doors with piano hinges that allow you to open the two doors as one. The clients we work with tend to prefer their cleaner look.
Other clever corner cabinet ideas we’ve seen include:
- Installing a corner sink base, particularly if it affords a great view.
- Leaving the space “dead.” This can be a great option for older homes with smaller kitchens that can’t accommodate a bulkier replacement.
- Creating a sitting area. While this gives up some storage space, a built-in bench gives any kitchen a cozy and inviting look and feel.
- Building a custom pantry. This choice is best for a larger kitchen with an island, as you’ll sacrifice counter space.
Though not as popular as they once were, some people still like the idea of an appliance garage in the corner. This option, too, takes up a lot of counter space, so it works best in kitchens that can make up that lost space elsewhere, like on an island.
Finally, it doesn’t technically qualify as a cabinet, but open shelving gives you easy access to the entire corner. It’s a minimalist look that works great in modern, contemporary, transitional, and farmhouse kitchen designs. The one downside? It takes a little extra work to keep them clean and organized.
Learn More
Ready to move ahead with your own kitchen remodel? For over 20 years, J.T. McDermott Remodeling has been giving homeowners in the Greater St. Louis area the updated kitchens they’ve dreamed about. To learn more about kitchen corner cabinet solution or how to get started, schedule a consultation with us today. We look forward to meeting with you!
