In kitchen remodels, perhaps fewer areas haunt—and inspire—as the lowly kitchen corner. These spaces provide valuable square footage, yet present a challenge for homeowners and designers to address. How can you transform these cramped, awkward corners into shrewd, useful storage without losing aesthetic appeal?
The tried-and-true favorite solution was the Lazy Susan cabinet, a turntable shelf installed inside corner cabinets for the sake of optimizing convenience. While the concept was a creative solution when it was introduced, it is no longer the only—and best—solution. Others have grown tired of Lazy Susans because they are cluttered, finicky to use, and space-consuming.
Here at HomeCabinets, we're committed to converting frustration into functional beauty. With renovation of RTA (ready-to-assemble) kitchen cabinets, you can utilize a wide variety of innovative, stylish, and convenient solutions for even the most daunting kitchen corners.
Let's get into the top Lazy Susan alternatives, some helpful layout suggestions, color schemes, and how our complimentary kitchen design services will tie it all together.
Why Bid Farewell to the Lazy Susan?
Lazy Susans were the coolest, back in the day. But with changes in kitchen design came changes in the demand for less rigid, more durable, and practical storage. Presently, homeowners highlight that Lazy Susans:
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Are clumsy and wobbly when loaded
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Fail to do a great job in maximizing the depth of corner cabinets
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Are difficult to accommodate taller or oddly shaped kitchen staples
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Appear old-fashioned in new kitchen design
What is the solution, then? Thankfully, various space-efficient corner cabinet alternatives are now on the market that not only work better but are also more flexible for new kitchen design.
Better Alternative to Lazy Susan Cabinets
The following are some of the best-replacement Lazy Susans that work great with RTA kitchen cabinets and can be integrated into small kitchen and big kitchen designs.
1. Blind Corner Base Cabinets – Hidden Space, Smart Storage
A Blind Corner Base Cabinet is one highly functional and practical cabinet solution to a Lazy Susan. The cabinets are recessed into the corner and utilize the "hidden" space that typically sits unused out of reach.
Human factor is when you add pull-out trays or swing-out organizers into these cabinets that pull out for full view and access. The accessories avoid reaching into a black hole and deliver better storage for the likes of pots, pans, and mixing bowls.
Why We Love It:
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Efficient use of deep corner space
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Sleek exterior lines that harmonize with other cabinetry
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Accommodates modern pull-out accessories
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Economically priced and easy to incorporate into RTA kitchen plans
2. Corner Sink Base Cabinets – Efficient and Elegant
Desire that which will really be noticed in your kitchen corner? Think about placing your sink there.
A Corner Sink Base Cabinet takes your workspace to the corner, leaving open along stretches of countertop for food preparation or entertaining. Paired with a window, corner sinks also introduce sunlight and make for a charming focal point.
From a design perspective, this configuration can minimize your kitchen routine and optimize your whole kitchen triangle (cooking range, sink, refrigerator). This is the best choice for individuals who like form and function in equal proportions.
Advantages:
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Linear counter space makes
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Ideal for the creation of corner or window vistas
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One-of-a-kind custom layout offers
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Stock RTA designs can be purchased
3. Angled-End Base Cabinets – Smooth Transitions and Unusual Style
For a cleaner corner with no hard edge, Angled-End Base Cabinets offer a gentle diagonal break that rounds out your kitchen design without sacrificing storage. Although they don't yield huge amounts of interior real estate, these cabinets are great at making your corner look deliberate and finished, not something tacked on as an afterthought to your design.
They're perfect for owners who wouldn't want their corners filled or need to have their cabinetry run lines clear.
Why Try It:
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Great for small kitchens or galley kitchens
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Creates a smooth transition between one cabinet run and another
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Allows room for small utility or display pieces
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Sleek, contemporary appearance
4. Easy Reach Base Cabinets – Clever Access for Blind Corners
For most efficient corner space use without the expense of high-tech mechanisms or upscale hardware, the Easy Reach Base Cabinet is a sensible and heavy-duty solution. Designed to work with L-shaped kitchen layouts, the cabinet features a bi-fold door that opens sufficiently to allow easy access to the deep corner shelves.
Instead of Lazy Susans with turning shelves, Easy Reach cabinets use fixed shelving with a big opening where you can see and get to more of what you've stored without sliding or turning. That makes them perfect for stocking:
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Daily cooking utensils like pots, pans, or mixing bowls
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Small kitchen appliances that you'd like out of view but not out of reach
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Bulk pantry staples or backstock that you use on a regular basis
Why It Works:
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No moving parts results in reduced wear and tear over the long term
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Takes fullest advantage of interior space by utilizing the full potential of the corner cavity
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Affordable solution in comparison to swing-out or motorized alternatives
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Impeccable design integration with adjacent cabinetry
This style is ideal for those who want to maintain the kitchen spick and span but don't want to over-glamorize the space. It is especially practical for families that cook a great deal and need to be able to access what they need promptly—no twisting shelves or losing track of where things have ended up.
Styling Ideas:
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Choose white cabinets for a clean, traditional look that will work with any color scheme
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Select warm brown cabinets to impart warmth and sense of tradition
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Make a statement with matte green shaker cabinet fronts for a one-of-a-kind, designer-inspired kitchen look
Easy Reach Base Cabinets combine traditional cabinet design with a forward-thinking idea that brings back corner space to daily use—with no Lazy Susan needed.
RTA Cabinets: The Ultimate Partner for Corner Designs
The best benefit of utilizing RTA cabinets is design and customization freedom. Homeowners assume that RTA solutions are cookie cutters or generic—but nothing is farther from the truth.
HomeCabinets offers a series of RTA base cabinet solutions that are specifically intended for corners, including:
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Blind corner-designed custom pull-outs
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Corner sink base solutions in all sizes
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Open-shelf and angled corner cabinetry
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Finish and color complementing options to fit any decorating style
Corner Cabinet Design: How to Get it Just Right
Some astute design recommendations to consider before choosing your corner cabinet solution are:
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Consider Traffic Flow
Consider how your corner solution will impact traffic within the kitchen area. Pull-out drawers and angled cabinets take up space in order to work effectively.
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Use the Corner for What It Should Be
A corner for prep area? Choose a pull-out base cabinet. A corner for eating space? Open shelves might work best. Intentionally use space.
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Balance Storage and Aesthetics
You don't have to pack every inch. Periodically leaving a corner bare with beautiful shelving will enhance the ambiance of your kitchen.
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Plan for Color Coordination
Whether you’re going all-white or mixing finishes, your corner solution should complement your overall kitchen palette. Don’t be afraid to introduce a secondary color, like green or natural wood, for contrast.
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Work With a Designer
Corner storage is rarely a plug-and-play affair. Maximize pro design software or services to have your cabinetry custom fit and functioning as it should.
Turn Your Frustration into Function—with a Little Help from Us
No more struggling with wasteful Lazy Susan arrangements or missing kitchen real estate. With thoughtful planning and smart hardware, that kitchen corner can become one of the most functional, beautiful, and personalized spaces in your entire renovation.
We believe in making homeownership simple—with affordable, adaptable, and stylish RTA cabinet ideas.
Even more so? We offer free kitchen design consultations that do the guessing for you. Whether you're redesigning your entire kitchen or just refinishing some of the base cabinets, our skilled designers can help you with:
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Streamlining your layout
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Choosing the perfect Lazy Susan replacement
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Choosing the perfect cabinet style and color
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Ensuring it all looks seamless