Let’s be real here: corner spaces in kitchens can be tricky. Often overlooked, these spaces can become dead zones where functionality is sacrificed for design. The challenge is in transforming these awkward nooks into practical and accessible storage areas that enhance the kitchen's overall efficiency. Lucky for you, our team of designers has tons of tips to share to maximize your corner kitchen cabinets. Let’s dig in!

Maximize Storage Space with These Clever Corner Kitchen Cabinet Ideas

The Importance of Maximizing Kitchen Space in a Small Seattle Home

Here in Seattle, homes often feature smaller kitchens which means every inch of space matters. Maximizing corner cabinets is essential to ensure you’re making the most out of your kitchen. By optimizing these areas, you can increase storage, improve accessibility and enhance the overall functionality of your kitchen. Afterall, why not get the most out of your storage space?

1. Lazy Susan Corner Cabinet

Lazy Susans are a game-changer when it comes to maximizing the functionality of corner kitchen cabinets. Typically, corner cabinets are difficult to access because of their deep, awkwardly shaped interiors. Items placed in the back of these cabinets often get lost or are hard to reach without having to remove everything in front of them. However, with a Lazy Susan, the rotating tray allows you to access everything on the cabinet with a simple spin. 

Whether it's spices, pots and pans or everyday kitchen essentials, a Lazy Susan ensures that no space is wasted and that every item is within reach. And they aren’t your grandmother’s Lazy Susan cabinets these days! There are now options where the shelves can pull out, making the items inside even more accessible. Plus, they can be installed in both upper and lower corner cabinets.

How Lazy Susans Improve Accessibility

Lazy Susans make it simple to reach items at the back of the cabinet by rotating the tray, bringing everything within arm's reach. This not only improves accessibility, but also ensures that no space is wasted. Additionally, this added functionality reduces the hassle of having to dig through cabinets to find what you need—a major win when you’re rushing to get dinner finished.

Installing a Lazy Susan in Your Kitchen

Installing a Lazy Susan in your corner cabinet is a straightforward way to make the most of your kitchen's storage potential. They are available in various sizes and styles, including full-circle and kidney-shaped designs, to fit different cabinet types. Additionally, Lazy Susans can be made from various materials, such as wood, plastic or metal, to match the aesthetic and functional needs of your kitchen.

2. Pull-Out Shelves and Drawers

Pull-out shelves and drawers are a game-changer for corner cabinets. These systems allow you to pull the entire shelf or drawer out of the cabinet, giving you easy access to all items without having to reach deep into the corner. We especially love this storage style because you can easily reach into the drawer to get what you need.

Benefits of Pull-Out Shelves and Drawers

These storage solutions maximize the use of space in your corner cabinets, making every inch accessible. They are especially beneficial in small kitchens, where every bit of storage counts.  By bringing the contents of the cabinet directly to you, rather than requiring you to reach deep into the recesses of a corner cabinet, your kitchen’s functionality is greatly improved.

Pull-out shelves and drawers also help to keep your kitchen organized. With everything easily visible and accessible, you can quickly locate and retrieve the items you need, reducing clutter and streamlining your cooking process. This can be especially useful for storing heavy or bulky items, like pots and pans, that are typically hard to maneuver in traditional cabinet setups.

Customizing Pull-Out Systems

One of the major advantages of pull-out shelves and drawers is their versatility and customization potential. These systems can be tailored to fit the unique needs of your kitchen and lifestyle, offering a range of options to optimize storage space. For example, if you frequently use large pots and pans, you can opt for deep pull-out drawers that are rated for the weight and size of these items. Similarly, if you need storage for spices, oils, or other small items, shallower pull-out shelves make it easy to organize and access these frequently used, smaller items.

And customization doesn't stop at depth and size—pull-out systems can also be designed with special features like soft-close mechanisms, which prevent drawers from slamming shut or dividers, which help keep items neatly separated. Some systems even include multiple tiers of pull-out shelves, allowing for the storage of a variety of items at different heights within the same cabinet.

3. Blind Corner Cabinet Solutions

Blind corners in kitchen cabinets are often considered one of the most problematic areas when it comes to storage. These spaces are typically deep and difficult to access, which can lead to items being lost, forgotten, or simply underutilized. Fear not though, because with the right solutions, these corners can become fully functional!

Swing-Out and Pull-Out Options

Swing-out and pull-out systems are excellent for blind corner cabinets. These mechanisms allow the shelves to swing or pull out entirely, making it easy to access everything stored inside. Here’s a quick breakdown of each system:

Swing-Out Systems: Swing-out shelves and drawers are mounted on a pivoting mechanism that allows them to swing outward when the cabinet door is opened. This design pulls the shelf out of the corner and into easy reach, making it so easy to access items stored in the depths of the cabinet. Swing-out systems are particularly useful for storing items that you use frequently because they provide quick and easy access without having to dig through other items.

Pull-Out Systems: Pull-out shelves and drawers work by extending the entire contents of the blind corner out of the cabinet. These systems often feature multiple tiers, allowing you to organize and store a variety of items. With a pull-out system, you can simply slide the shelf or drawer out to bring everything into view, making it easier to see and reach items. This is especially useful for heavier items, like pots and pans, because it reduces the effort needed to retrieve them.

Both swing-out and pull-out systems can be customized to fit the specific dimensions of your blind corner cabinets, ensuring that you maximize every inch of available space.

Enhancing Accessibility in Blind Corners

By installing swing-out or pull-out systems, you can majorly improve the functionality of your kitchen. These storage solutions not only make it easier to access items, but also help you maintain a more organized kitchen. No longer will you have to worry about items getting lost or forgotten in the depths of a corner cabinet—everything will be within reach and visible at a glance!

Also, these systems will help you achieve a more efficient kitchen workflow. With easy access to all your kitchen essentials, you can streamline your cooking process, saving time and reducing stress. Whether you're preparing a quick meal or hosting a large dinner party, having a well-organized and accessible kitchen makes the experience much more enjoyable and less stressful.

4. Diagonal Corner Wall Cabinets

Diagonal corner wall cabinets utilize corner spaces efficiently by extending into the corner at an angle, providing more storage than a standard cabinet would. These cabinets are specifically designed to fit neatly into the corner of a room so you can utilize the full depth of the corner. We’ve also found that this type of storage space is often larger and more accessible than what traditional rectangular cabinets can offer.

Contemporary Design and Functionality

In addition to their space-saving benefits, diagonal corner wall cabinets also offer a sleek, contemporary aesthetic that can enhance the aesthetic of your kitchen. The unique angular design adds visual interest by providing a subtle focal point that not only looks great, but also maximizes storage space.

Ideal for Small Kitchens

For small kitchens, our design team finds that diagonal corner wall cabinets are an excellent option. They provide additional storage without taking up extra space, making them perfect for maximizing a compact kitchen layout. For example, the diagonal design allows for deeper storage which is better at accommodating larger items that might not fit in standard cabinets. This makes them ideal for storing bulky kitchen equipment, such as stand mixers, large pots or small appliances that you want to keep out of sight when not in use.

5. Open Shelving in Corners

Open shelving is a popular kitchen look that works beautifully in corner spaces. It offers both style and functionality, giving you a place to display your favorite dishes, glassware or decor items. We especially love the open and airy vibe that open shelving gives a space.

Showcasing Decor and Kitchen Essentials

Open shelving allows you to turn your kitchen essentials into a design feature. By displaying items neatly, you can create a visually appealing focal point in your kitchen while also increasing accessibility to those items. 

Designing a Corner Shelf Display

When selecting open shelving for corners, choose materials that complement the rest of your kitchen remodel. Consider using shelves that match or contrast with your cabinetry, countertops and backsplash to create a cohesive and visually appealing look. For example, if your kitchen features natural wood accents, we recommend opting for wooden shelves in a similar tone to enhance the warm, organic feel. Alternatively, if your kitchen design skews more modern minimalism, metal or glass shelves can add a nice contrast while still tying in with the overall aesthetic.

As you can see, maximizing corner space in your kitchen is both easy and essential, especially in smaller Seattle homes. From Lazy Susans and pull-out shelves to diagonal cabinets and open shelving, there are so many ways to optimize these tricky spaces. Don't let corner spaces go to waste—instead, use these kitchen corner ideas to transform them into functional and stylish storage areas! With the right solutions, you can enhance both the look and efficiency of your kitchen.

At CRD Design Build, we specialize in creating custom kitchen designs that maximize every inch of space. Whether you’re dealing with a small kitchen or a challenging layout, our team can help you find the perfect corner cabinet storage solutions. Contact us today to start planning your dream kitchen!