Base Corner Solutions
When designing cabinetry it's important to utilize the space as functionally as we can working with the look the client is after.
If you know the term 'dead corner' you'll know that corner cabinets can be a waste of space. They are often difficult to access and can lead to underutilized space in your kitchen and things getting lost in the back of the cupboard. While we like to remove as many cabinetry corners as possible when designing a kitchen, it's often not possible to remove them all. If you're after some inspiration to help you make the most of the corner cabinets in your kitchen, we have some ideas for you.
Below is a collection of some of the solutions available, each outlining the pros and cons.
Corner Cupboard with 2-panel hinged door (Bi-Fold):
The standard base corner cupboard is a versatile and essential solution for optimizing corner spaces in your kitchen. This cupboard typically features a deep storage area, ideal for stowing away bulky kitchen items like pots, pans, and small appliances. The cupboard can be customized with fixed or adjustable shelving, allowing for flexible storage options.
Pro: Most cost-effective solution with less hardware to maintain.
Con: getting to the far corner at the bottom does involve getting down on hands and knees and getting inside the cupboard.
Cornerstone/LeMans:
The LeMans corner cupboard offers a smart and efficient solution for utilizing hard-to-reach corner spaces in your kitchen. Named after the famous racetrack for its unique, curved design, the LeMans system features two pull-out trays that smoothly glide out of the cupboard, bringing your stored items to you. Each tray is designed to make the most of the corner space, perfect for storing cookware, pots, and pans.
Pro: easy access to all items in the cupboard and can hold up to 20kg each shelf.
Con: doesn’t use all the available area and if anything does fall off the shelves getting on your hands and knees and having to reach into the cupboard is needed, which is difficult due to the hardware now in the road to access the area, so you would want to be selective on what you were placing on the shelves. Restrictions involved as certain sizing is needed to allow for item.
Cor Fold:
The Corfold corner cupboard is an innovative solution designed to maximize corner storage space while offering easy access. The Corfold system features a bi-fold door mechanism that neatly folds away as you open the cupboard, allowing full visibility and access to the interior without obstruction.
Pro: easy access to all items in the cupboard and can hold up to 9.5kg each shelf. Uses most of the available space.
Con: more hardware required and so more expensive along with more labor needed for install. Although it uses a lot of the cupboard space, it does not use it all as a normal shelf would. As with the Cornerstone if anything falls off the areas retrieving them can be harder. Restrictions involved as certain sizing is needed to allow for item.
Lazy Suzan:
Instead of a pull-out mechanism, another option for your base corner cabinets is to add a lazy susan mechanism that allows you to spin the shelves around to access the back of them. For this to work, however, the cupboard must be accessible from both sides of the corner.
Pro: very easy access to items on shelves with minimum hardware.
Con: to be effective it is a round peg in a square hole situation so it does not utilize all the area. As with the Cornerstone and Cor Fold if anything falls off the areas retrieving them can be harder. Restrictions are involved as certain sizing is needed to allow for items.
Corner Drawers:
Corner drawer solutions offer a sleek and highly functional way to make the most of corner spaces in your kitchen. Unlike traditional corner cupboards, corner drawers are designed with a unique angled shape that allows them to extend fully out of the corner, providing easy access to everything inside.
Pro: very easy access to all items and no chance of losing items over the edge/side of the drawer.
Con: There is a small void on each side of the draw that is lost and because of the amount of hardware and materials this is a more expensive solution. Restrictions involved as certain sizing is needed to allow for the item.
Appliance Cupboard:
If you're unsure what to do with the space above your bench in the corner, a great idea is to add a small appliance cupboard. This is the perfect space to store and easily access small appliances that you use every day like a toaster and kettle. We recommend adding a bi-fold or roller door to the cupboard.
Pro: Clutter-free benchtops, organised storage and easily assessable.
Con: Appliance cupboards can take up significant cabinet or countertop space, which may be a drawback in smaller kitchens.
Feature Shelving:
If you have any collections or pieces that you would like to show off, the corner space above your bench could be a great spot to utilise for this. You can have shelves to one side only or wrap them around the corner between overhead cupboards. You can also choose to leave the shelves open or put glass doors over the top to keep out dust.
Pro: Items are easy to see and grab, perfect for frequently used items or those you want to showcase.
Con: Shelving provides less enclosed or concealed storage compared to cupboards, meaning items may be exposed to dust and grease from cooking.
Corner Pantry:
If you have enough space, a corner is a great place to add a step-in pantry. The pantry could have the door diagonally across the corner or the door could be on one side of the return with a deep cupboard going into the corner.
Pro: Diagonal door pantries create efficient use of space and assessability.
Con: Diagonal door pantries do require more space.
Pro: Pantries with a one-sided door utilise limited space in smaller kitchens and create more storage depth for larger items.
Con: Pantries with a one-sided door do reduce assessability and reduce visibility making it hard to find items in the corner.
