Designing A Corner Kitchen Cabinet To Utilize Space

A corner kitchen cabinet can be a problematic part of kitchen design, regardless of whether it is part of a remodeling project or new kitchen construction. However, there are several ways in which to design a kitchen cabinet so that it will be space efficient and easy to use for almost any home cook or homeowner.

Step 1–Evaluate How to Use the Space

One of the primary problems with corner kitchen cabinets is that they are often under-utilized and the space ends up wasted. Consider what you want to store in the corner cabinet and how it will best fit in the space available. For some cooks, a corner cabinet is an opportunity to store kitchen accessories or items that are rarely used, but need a large empty space for storage. For other homeowners, a corner cabinet can be an excellent space to store items that they want hidden from use or not easily accessible to others. Decide how you want to use the space and what you want to store in the corner cabinet.

Step 2–Evaluate Corner Cabinet Storage Options


There are several storage options available for the corner cabinet:


■Lazy Susan-A lazy susan is a circular storage unit that rotates in the space. Many lazy susans for corner cabinets have multiple shelves. These storage units can be very space efficient because the allow access to all of the items stored on them.
■Shelves-Shelves installed in a corner cabinet allow access to the items placed toward the front, but can make it difficult to reach the things placed at the back.
■Drawers-Drawers pull out and allow access to all of the items in them. Drawers can be an attractive option for selective access to items.
■Empty Space-For kitchen accessories or small appliances, an empty space may be an excellent option, because it provides both height and depth for storage.

Step 3–Measure the Space Available


Measure the height, width and depth of the space available. If you already have existing cabinets, you may decide to match the counter height or other measurements in order to keep everything consistent.



Step 4–Choose a Cabinet Style and Finish

There are many different kitchen cabinet styles and finishes available. You can visit almost any large home improvement center or cabinet retailer and purchase cabinets.

Stock cabinets have limited choices, but are readily available and can often be taken home when you purchase them. Semi-custom cabinets usually need to be ordered and take approximately 4 to 6 weeks for delivery. These cabinets have the advantage of more design options and finishes. Custom cabinets are often designed and created completely from scratch and require 8 weeks or more for delivery.

If you are designing a corner cabinet to go with existing kitchen cabinets, you will probably want to choose a style and finish that matches. If you take a cabinet door with you, it will help in your selection. However, if you are choosing entirely new cabinets, then the choice of styles and finishes is only limited by your budget and delivery schedule.