Organizing a Corner Cabinet: How to Tame the Laziest Susan

Kitchen corner cabinets are notorious black holes. Because they are deep and oddly shaped, items stored in the back corners easily get lost for years, leading to duplicate grocery purchases and wasted space. Before we dive into our hacks, if you want an instant cabinet upgrade, check out our favorite space-saving 360-Degree Rotating Turntable to keep small jars accessible.

Whether you have a classic Lazy Susan turntable or a deep L-shaped blind corner cabinet, organizing this tricky cupboard can dramatically improve your kitchen's flow. Here is our step-by-step guide to taming your corner cabinet clutter.

Step 1: The Deep Empty Out

Pull everything out of the corner cabinet. You might find expired canned goods or duplicate bags of flour in the far back. Wipe down the spinning shelves or wood floors thoroughly with warm soapy water and let them dry completely.

Step 2: Group by Height and Weight

Corner cabinet shelves spin, so balance is crucial. Group your items by weight and height. Heavy items like Dutch ovens, baking dishes, and small appliances should go on the bottom shelf to prevent the turntable from tilting.

Step 3: Use Wedge-Shaped Bins

Standard square bins leave wasted triangular spaces on round Lazy Susan turntables. Instead, use pie-slice or wedge-shaped plastic bins that fit perfectly onto the round shelves. Label each bin by category (e.g., 'Baking,' 'Snacks,' 'Canned Goods').

Step 4: Keep Spices and Condiments Visible

Corner shelves are perfect for cooking oils, vinegars, and spices. Arrange them with the tallest bottles in the center near the pole and shorter jars along the outer edge. This prevents bottles from falling off when you spin the shelf.

Step 5: Store Large, Lightweight Items on Top

Keep your top shelves light and easy to reach. Store plastic mixing bowls, salad spinners, or lightweight storage containers on the upper tiers, keeping heavy cookware safely below.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overloading the spinning shelves: Putting too much weight on Lazy Susan shelves can warp the rotation pole and cause the shelves to stick.
• Letting small items slide off the back: Avoid placing small loose items near the edges, as they can fall off behind the turntable and block the spinning mechanism.
• Storing daily items in the far back: Keep your most-used items on the front edges of shelves for easy access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if I have a blind corner cabinet with no Lazy Susan?
A: Install pull-out wire drawers (often called 'cloud' organizers) that slide out of the blind spot and rotate forward into the room.

Q: How do I clean behind the Lazy Susan turntable?
A: Empty the shelves completely, shine a flashlight into the back corners, and use a vacuum hose attachment to suck up dry crumbs.

Outro

Corner cabinets don't have to be a source of kitchen frustration. By balancing the weight, decanting bottles onto turntables, and using wedge-shaped storage bins, you can turn this black hole into a highly functional kitchen asset!