To make the most of your kitchen space, you can choose from several corner cabinet options, such as angled corner cabinets, blind corner cabinets, drawers, pantries, and void corner solutions.
If you use them properly, corner cabinets are a great way to add more storage and enhance your kitchen’s style. But what are the differences between these kitchen corner cabinet options?
This article will break down each type, highlighting their unique features and ideal usage to help you choose the best fit for your kitchen.
I also sought the expert opinion of Bryan Son, the account manager at Northwest Cabinet & Floor, on different solutions for corner cabinets to help maximize space.
Most kitchen designs include one or two corner spaces as part of the layout. To make the most of these areas, you can choose from various cabinet solutions. Here are your options.
90-Degree Angled Corner Cabinets
A 90-degree corner cabinet keeps your countertop square by joining two cabinets at a right angle. Also known as a “square corner wall cabinet,” the door is split into two parts and connected with a hinge, making it easy to open. However, these cabinets are quite deep, often requiring you to kneel and reach far back to grab items.
To solve this problem, kitchen designers often use a cabinet accessory called a Lazy Susan. It is a rotating, circular shelf that holds items and makes it easier to reach them inside the cabinet. Simply spin the shelf to access what you need. For this kitchen cabinet, be sure to choose an accessory that reaches from the bottom of the cabinet all the way to the underside of the countertop.
45-Degree Angled Corner Cabinets
Also known as a “diagonal corner wall cabinet,” it features a large base corner cabinet specifically designed to fit into a 90-degree corner, with the door angled at 45 degrees. Unlike the 90-degree corner cabinet, which uses a bi-fold door, this corner cabinet features a regular door that cuts across the corner.
These cabinets offer excellent storage space but tend to be even deeper than 90-degree corner cabinets, making it harder to reach items in the back. You can add a cabinet accessory like a Lazy Susan to make items easier to get.
Blind Corner Cabinets
A blind corner cabinet is a base cabinet that hides a space you can only access through another door. Unlike a regular corner cabinet with a hinged door, this one has a single door that opens to the right or left, depending on where you place it. The other side offers a large, deep storage area that is hidden from view and difficult to reach.
To make the blind corner cabinet more functional, adding cabinet accessories or interior organizers can help overcome its drawbacks. According to Brian Son, “Lazy Susans are a classic solution offering rotating shelves for easy access to deep corners.”
A half-moon Lazy Susan, for example, is a great option because it sits inside the cabinet and swings in and out to allow easy access to items stored in the back.
“You can also use blind corner pullouts,” says Bryan. “There are mechanisms that extend shelving into accessible spaces.” Brands like the Magic Corner or LeMans offer these cabinet accessories to improve accessibility and storage.
Corner Drawers
If you want a more customized solution for your kitchen corner, consider installing drawers instead of a traditional cabinet. Bryan explains, “Diagonal drawer systems maximize useable storage while maintaining accessibility.”
These V-shaped drawers pull straight out, so you do not have to reach into the back like a cabinet. The downside is that they leave unused space on both sides, but the improved organization often outweighs the loss of some storage.
For example, a 3-drawer kitchen corner cabinet will turn unused space into a functional storage area. It offers easy access and better organization. With hardware on both sides of each drawer, they open and close smoothly to eliminate the need to crouch down to reach items stored at the bottom.
Corner Pantry
Creating a custom corner pantry is another way to make the most of your kitchen corner. This is a great solution to turn an awkward area into useful storage for food, spices, and other cooking essentials.
You can install a custom door to help the pantry fit in with the rest of your kitchen. With hidden storage and extra light from the ceiling, a corner pantry is a smart way to use your kitchen’s corner space.
Void Corner
In addition to using cabinets, drawers, and pantries in your kitchen corner, you also have the option to leave the space empty. This option is ideal when your kitchen is short on space since base cabinets take up a lot of room.
While many homeowners prefer to maximize storage, there are advantages to not using the corner at all. One benefit of a voided corner is that it allows you to install bigger cabinets on both sides of the corner.
When to Call a Pro
A tricky corner cabinet may require a custom solution, in that case, consider hiring a professional.
Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled handymen and handywomen in seconds and leave the rest to us.
Find more resources for kitchen cabinets:
- Why Are Kitchen Cabinets So Expensive?
- How to Measure Kitchen Cabinets
- 7 Types of Kitchen Cabinets: What’s the Difference?
- Kitchen Cabinet Construction Grades
Main Photo Credit: ungvar / Adobe Stock Free / License
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