Unused Kitchen Corners Become Functional Nooks

Tucked away in the corners of many kitchens lies wasted space just waiting to be transformed into functional and eye-catching nooks. By creatively repurposing these overlooked areas, homeowners can gain additional storage, seating, and style that makes an impact.

Installing corner nooks in underutilized kitchen spaces checks all the boxes: increased organization, extra seating capacity, and aesthetic appeal. Read on to explore how even the most awkward, empty spaces can provide game-changing potential.

Benefits of Adding Corner Nooks in Your Kitchen

Increased and Hidden Storage Solutions

One of the best ways to maximize limited kitchen real estate is to introduce storage solutions into forgotten corners. DutchCrafters, for example, offers a variety of corner hutch designs that tuck away behind bench seating. Their Amish-crafted corner hutches feature cabinets, shelves, and drawers to neatly store dinnerware, pantry items, or small kitchen appliances when not in use.

For a more budget-friendly option, homeowners can retrofit existing cabinetry or shelving units into unused corners. Custom building floor-to-ceiling shelving transforms useless space into display-worthy storage. The vertical design holds everything from cookbooks, bulk pantry items, gleaming wine glasses, or colorful dinner plates.

Space Saving Storage Ideas

Well-designed corner nooks allow homeowners to introduce seating and storage without dominating the existing layout. Custom built-in, L-shaped bench seating outfitted with storage cubbies underneath maximize both functionality and footsteps saved. Freestanding, moveable storage carts also squeeze into tight spaces for keeping essentials close at hand.

Take, for example, a narrow galley kitchen with limited room to spare. By tucking a small storage cart stacked with everyday dinnerware into a vacant corner, items become easily accessible when setting the table or cleaning up after meals.

Functional Use of Awkward Empty Spaces

The angled shape of corner spaces often leads to underutilization despite their abundant potential. Dead space lurking behind doors or existing furniture pieces presents prime real estate for converting into practical nooks.

Consider retrofitting the hollow void behind an open-concept kitchen's angled accent column or island base. Tailor the dimensions to fit small storage benches or shelving perfectly. Not only does this improve functionality, but the visible display also adds visual interest.

Hollow corners around protruding architectural columns also lend themselves beautifully to customized cabinetry solutions. Mini cabinet door panels mounted around the column seamlessly incorporate appliance garages, racks for spices, or other essential culinary tools. Mini banquettes featuring interior storage cubbies can also squeeze into such wasted spaces for bonus seating.

Create an Organized Look

An organized kitchen equals sanity for passionate home cooks. The ever-growing array of unitaskers and small appliances filling today's kitchens leaves minimal room for displaying items in any aesthetic manner.

Tucking gadgets, electric mixing bowls, Instant Pots, air fryers and the like into specially designated corner storage nooks does away with the haphazard lived-in look. Keep your prep zones tidy and your pots, pans, and lids wrangled together in one dedicated spot instead of scattered haphazardly.

Assign specific zones to utensils, sheet pans, baking tools to restore order. Customize drawers and shelves to perfectly fit various gadgets so everything has a designated home when not in use. The result? A beautiful, clutter-free kitchen any passionate home chef would gladly spend hours cooking elaborate meals in.

Corner Nook Design Ideas

Wasted space lurking in kitchen corners comes with near endless potential for customization. Open shelving, banquette-style seating and storage combinations, or moveable furniture pieces slide right in. When deciding the best functional and aesthetically pleasing option, carefully measure the boundaries of the available floor space.

Here are some clever ideas to inspire even the choosiest designers.

Open Corner Shelves

Bare wall expanses tucked into kitchen corners often get overlooked as potential display areas. Consider retrofitting open corner shelving units, like the Cumberland signature corner unit by DutchCrafters. Wall mounted wooden shelving adds a farmhouse touch while keeping tabletop appliances, cookbooks, baking sheets, or barware within arm's reach.

For a more contemporary look, sleek, stainless steel wire units offer both form and function. Their see-through design prevents items from getting buried behind solid cabinet doors. Glass shelving and lighted curio cabinets allow displaying cherished kitchen collectibles in plain view.

Enclosed Cabinet Nooks

Custom cabinetry tailor-made to squeeze into kitchen crannies streamlines storage of small appliances and other oft-used items. Mini upper cabinets mounted just below standard heights create perfect homes for blenders, toaster ovens, stand mixers, rice cookers, and electric kettles.

For storing larger small appliances like Instant Pots, enclosed base cabinet pull outs keep such bulky items easily accessible without hogging precious countertops. Enclosed cabinet nooks present a streamlined, built-in look for awkward angled voids while maximizing every inch of available space.

Custom Built-In Cabinetry

One of the most striking ways to overhaul scantly used kitchen corner space is designing full-height custom cabinetry. While a more intensive renovation project, custom built-ins make the most of challenging dimensions and angles.

Consider extending existing cabinet runs around corners for uninterrupted kitchen storage from top to bottom. Add glass-front doors to corner hutches or display shelving for an elegant, furniture-like look. Accent with interior lighting or incorporate adjustable shelves and trays to keep interior spaces neatly organized.

Freestanding Storage Units

Freestanding storage carts offer homeowners seeking corner nook storage an instant upgrade without construction or installation. Simply roll directly into place and customize the interior shelves to accommodate specific needs.

For dinnerware storage, for example, a tall wooden etagere neatly corrals plates and bowls rather than stacking them in existing cabinetry. The airy, open design makes grabbing dishes a cinch. Plus, the handsome farmhouse finishes bring warmth and charm.

Metal utility carts finished in fashionable colors maneuver smoothly on locking casters. They stow cooking gadgets, small appliances, or bartender essentials and double as portable serving stations when entertaining.

Maximizing Your Kitchen's Corner Real Estate

Creating functional and eye-catching nooks from kitchen corners requires thoughtfully assessing the space. Measure carefully to determine dimensions, layout electrical and lighting as needed, and customize storage to keep items organized.

By thoughtfully incorporating the following considerations, overlooked voids transform into aesthetically pleasing and meticulously organized kitchen additions.

Take Accurate Measurements

The first step involves carefully plotting out the intended corner nook area's exact width, height, and depth using a measuring tape. Account for anyawkward angles, protruding pipes or existing architectural details when taking measurements.

Jot down sizes of everyday items to be stored, like standing mixers, dishware collections, or small kitchen appliances. This ensures customized nooks and shelving perfectly fit what they will house. After finalizing a layout and design, recheck all measurements before starting any construction.

Consider Best Use of Space and Storage Needs

Think through what the new kitchen nook needs to accomplish before finalizing materials and design elements. Homeowners seeking bonus seating may opt for a breakfast banquette with hidden storage compartments underneath. Accommodating large dinnerware collections or bulky appliances calls for deeper cabinet spaces.

Also factor in who will use the space most frequently. Convenient rollout shelves or Lazy Susan corner carousels maximize access to food staples for avid home cooks. Glass-front cabinet doors allow kids to spot their personalized cereal bowls or snacks easily. Such customized touches turn unused voids into highly utilized kitchen additions.

Standard kitchen cabinetry typically falls between 30"- 36" in height. When introducing corner hutches or display shelving, consider browsing eyesight levels. Placing cabinets low risks important items getting buried behind more frequently used zones.