Solutions For Deep Corner Kitchen Cabinets

Deep corner kitchen cabinets can be tricky spaces to utilize effectively. The 90-degree angle and depth of the cabinet make it difficult to see and access items stored in the back. Fortunately, there are clever solutions that can help you maximize these notoriously difficult storage spaces.

With a bit of innovative thinking and the right organizational tools, you can transform that deep, dark corner into a highly functional storage space. Read on for tips, ideas and product suggestions to make the most of your deep corner kitchen cabinets.

Issues With Deep Corner Kitchen Cabinets

Deep corner cabinets present some unique storage challenges not found with standard cabinets:

• Difficulty accessing items - The depth and 90-degree angle make it hard to see and reach items in the back of the cabinet.
• Unused wasted space - The very back of the cabinet often ends up wasted due to poor accessibility.
• Disorganization and clutter - Items end up stacked haphazardly since it's hard to neatly organize the space.

These issues make it frustrating to store and retrieve items from corner cabinets. You end up with a jumbled mess you can barely access. Fortunately, there are many clever solutions that can help transform that wasted space into highly usable storage.

Solutions For Maximizing Deep Corner Cabinet Storage

Here are some of the most popular and effective solutions for deep corner cabinet organization:

Install Lazy Susans or Turntables

This classic solution involves installing a circular rotating shelf or turntable in the corner cabinet. Lazy susans allow you to spin the shelf to easily access items all the way in the back of the cabinet. Look for models sized appropriately for your cabinet depth.

Lazy susans are available in a range of sizes, designs and materials to suit any kitchen's style. Smaller turntables work well for corner cabinets with a 16-18 inch depth. Larger lazy susans around 20-24 inches work for deeper cabinets. Sturdy metal or wooden lazy susans hold more weight if you need to store heavier items.

Consider installing multiple lazy susans on stacked shelves down the height of the cabinet. This allows you to organize different categories of items on each turntable. Label each shelf so you know what's stored where.

Use Vertical Dividers and Shelves

Vertical dividers let you section off the cabinet into organized compartments for optimized storage. Look for dividers designed to precisely fit the depth of your specific corner cabinet. Flexible rubber or wire dividers bend to wedge into the cabinet shape.

Vertical shelves also help divide the space while providing additional storage surfaces. Opt for shelves with adjustable heights to fully customize your storage system. Sturdy metal shelves and tracks can hold more weight if needed.

Combining vertical dividers and adjustable shelves lets you truly maximize every inch of wasted space. Create custom compartments to neatly organize items of all shapes and sizes.

Add Pull-Out Shelves

Pull-out shelves are installed on tracks or slides so they can roll out of the cabinet for easy access. This prevents having to reach way into the back of the cabinet.

Look for pull-out shelves specifically designed for corner cabinets, preferably with full extension slides for maximum accessibility. For large cabinets, double side-by-side pull-outs let you access both front and back. Pull-outs with built-in vertical dividers keep everything neatly organized.

Pull-out shelves are great for storing items you use frequently. Keep appliances and everyday dishes on pull-outs so they can be easily accessed.

Use Racks, Holders and Organizers

Racks, holders and organizers designed for corner cabinets can help you neatly arrange and store specific items. Examples include:

• Spice racks to keep spices and oils organized
• Towel holders mounted inside the cabinet
• Vertical pan racks for neatly stacking pots and pans
• Cutlery dividers and utensil trays
• Appliance garages for small appliances
• Waste bin pull-outs to hold garbage/recycling

Choose storage accessories suited for the items you need to organize. Mix different racks, holders and bins to maximize every inch of space.

Lighting to See Inside

Since corner cabinets are inherently dark inside, installing lighting helps illuminate the space so you can see everything stored. There are a few options for adding light:

• Battery-operated lights can easily stick inside the cabinet.
• Plug-in puck lights sit on shelves to shine down into the cabinet.
• Hardwired corner cabinet lighting kits for a more permanent solution.
• Light strips installed on the top interior provide soft, even lighting.

Task lighting or cabinet lighting lets you easily see items stored in the back. This also makes cleaning the cabinet much simpler.

Organizing Deep Corner Cabinet Contents

Once you've added organizational solutions like lazy susans or pull-out shelves, you can better arrange the contents using these tips:

• Categorize by item type - Group like items together (e.g. pans, small appliances).
• Frequently used items in front - Keep items you use most in the front for quick access.
• Label shelves and bins - Use labels to identify what's stored to minimize searching.
• Store larger items on bottom - Keep bulky items on lower shelves so they don't block access.
• Rotate stock - Rotate older food items to the front to prevent waste.

Avoid just tossing items into the cabinet haphazardly. Take the time to neatly organize so you can efficiently access what you need.

For dry goods, use clear plastic bins, canisters or jars to corrall items while keeping them visible. This makes it fast and easy to grab ingredients while cooking and baking.

When organizing dishes, place dinner plates and bowls on lower shelves for easy access. Use upper shelves for lesser used items like fancy serving platters. Install hooks on the back of cabinet doors to hang mugs for quick grabbing.

Group appliances together, either on a shelf, in a pull-out cabinet or appliance garage. Keep manuals handy so they can be accessed as needed.

Ideas For Storing Specific Items

Here are tips for storing some common kitchen items in deep corner cabinets:

Pots, Pans and Lids

Use vertical dividers, racks or a pan organizer to neatly store stacked pots and pans. You can also install hooks on the inside of cabinet doors to hang lids and free up shelf space.

Keep your most used pans and pots on pull-out shelves for convenient access while cooking. Store specialty baking pans and oversized roasting pans on bottom shelves.

Pan organizers with tiered stacked holders keep pans of different sizes neatly organized. Stores nesting pans together and lids in a handy spot.

Spices and Oils

Keep spices and oils organized with corner spice racks or turntables. This keeps them neatly in one place and easy to access.

Mount racks designed for corner cabinets to maximize space. Store spices you use most frequently on lower shelves or in caddies for easy grabbing.

For oils, look for corner mounted racks that nicely hold bottles upright and prevent tipping. A lazy susan works well for keeping multiple oil and vinegar bottles accessible.

Baking Sheets and Pans

Store baking sheets vertically against the side of the cabinet to save space. Use a vertical holder or file system for nested baking pans and lids.

Look for bakeware racks with angled slots that neatly hold baking sheets upright. Store various sizes together in one organized spot. For pans, vertical dividers keep them neatly stacked.