Creating A Stylish And Practical Pantry With Lazy Susan Corners

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Creating a pantry that’s both stylish and practical can be a bit of a puzzle, especially when dealing with those tricky corner spaces. But guess what? You can turn those awkward corners into some of the most useful spots in your kitchen. The secret weapon? Lazy susans. These rotating shelves can make your pantry not only look good but also work like a charm.

Understanding the Challenges of Corner Spaces

Corner spaces in pantries can be a real headache. They’re often hard to reach, making it tough to get to the stuff stored there. This can lead to clutter and chaos. But don’t worry, with the right tools and a bit of creativity, you can turn these corners into valuable storage spots.

The Importance of Accessibility

Being able to easily reach everything in your pantry is super important. You don’t want to be digging through piles of stuff just to find that one can of beans. This is where lazy susans come in handy. These rotating shelves let you access items from the back of the cabinet without having to move everything else around.

Exploring Lazy Susan Solutions

Lazy susans are a game-changer for corner spaces. They make it easy to get to items stored in those hard-to-reach areas. Here are some ways you can use lazy susans in your pantry:

Using Lazy Susans in Corner Cabinets

One of the best ways to use lazy susans is in corner cabinets. These cabinets often have a hinge in the center, which allows for a lazy susan to be installed inside. This setup makes it easy to rotate the shelf and access items from any angle.

For example, Jamie from "Bored or Bananas" uses a lazy susan in her corner cabinet to store spices, oils, and vinegars. She also uses a homemade lazy susan made from cake pans and marbles to keep her baking supplies organized. This DIY approach can be very cost-effective and customizable to your specific needs.

DIY Lazy Susans

If you’re into DIY projects, you can make your own lazy susans using materials like round common wood boards and lazy susan turntable hardware. This method allows for greater customization and can be more budget-friendly.

For instance, a DIY project on "I Heart Organizing" uses round common wood pieces from Home Depot to create a turnable piece for an upper corner cabinet. The project involves measuring the center of the board, using holes in the turntable hardware, and adding drawer pulls for easy rotation.

Maximizing Space with Lazy Susans

Lazy susans aren’t just for corner cabinets; they can also be used in other areas of your pantry to maximize space. For example, you can use them in base cabinets or even as standalone shelves.

Alejandra Costello from "A Charming Abode" suggests using lazy susans in corners where you store items like spices, oils, and vinegars. She also recommends using them in small kitchens where space is limited, as they help keep items easily accessible from any angle.

Other Corner Solutions

While lazy susans are awesome, they’re not the only solution for corner spaces. Here are some other methods you can consider:

Stationary Corner Shelves

Stationary corner shelves can be a great way to store items without the need for rotating shelves. These shelves are typically wider at the front and narrower at the back, ensuring they fit snugly into the corner without taking up too much space.

For example, Sheila from "Addicted to Decorating" uses stationary corner shelves in her walk-in pantry. She stores her KitchenAid mixer on one shelf and keeps large salad bowls and crystal serving trays on another. The shelves are not large but hold the items she uses every day.

Open Shelving

Open shelving is another popular option for corner spaces. This method allows you to display items in a visually appealing way while keeping them easily accessible.

Sheila also mentions using open shelving in her pantry, where she stores small appliances, serving dishes, and big pots and pans that only come out during holidays or preserving seasons. This approach ensures that the items you use frequently are visible and easily accessible.

Closed Cabinets with Seasonal Storage

Closed cabinets can be used to store seasonal items that you only use once or twice a year. This method helps keep your pantry organized by categorizing items based on their usage frequency.

For example, Sheila uses closed cabinets to store canning material, gingerbread house accessories, and Thanksgiving servingware. This approach keeps these items out of the way but still accessible when needed.

Practical Tips for Implementing Lazy Susans

Implementing lazy susans in your pantry requires some planning and execution. Here are some practical tips to help you get started:

Measure Your Space

Before buying any lazy susans or designing your pantry layout, it’s crucial to measure your space accurately. This will help you determine the size of the lazy susan you need and ensure it fits perfectly into your corner cabinet.

Choose the Right Materials

Selecting the right materials for your lazy susan is important. You can opt for pre-made lazy susans from retailers like IKEA or Walmart or go for a DIY approach using materials from Home Depot.

Label Your Items

Labeling your items is essential when using lazy susans. This helps you quickly identify what’s stored on each shelf and ensures that items are returned to their designated place after use.

Maintain Your Lazy Susans

Regular maintenance of your lazy susans is necessary to keep them functioning smoothly. Clean them regularly and ensure that they are properly aligned to avoid any issues with rotation.

Case Studies: Real-Life Examples of Lazy Susan Pantries

Let’s look at some real-life examples of how people have successfully implemented lazy susans in their pantries:

Jamie's Kitchen Organization

Jamie from "Bored or Bananas" has an organized kitchen with lazy susans in her corner cabinets. She uses two-dollar tree butter dishes attached with command strips to store spices and oils. Her lazy susans are from Aldi and Walmart, which she finds very useful for storing mixes and spices.

Alejandra's DIY Lazy Susan

Alejandra Costello from "A Charming Abode" created a DIY lazy susan using round common wood pieces and lazy susan turntable hardware. She uses this setup to store baking supplies and finds it very effective in maximizing space.

Sheila's Pantry Design

Sheila from "Addicted to Decorating" designed her pantry with stationary corner shelves that meet with the cabinets on each side. She stores her KitchenAid mixer on one shelf and keeps large salad bowls and crystal serving trays on another. This design ensures that all items are easily accessible without taking up too much space.

Conclusion

Creating a stylish and practical pantry with lazy susans in the corners is totally doable with the right design and organizational tools. By understanding the challenges of corner spaces, exploring various solutions like lazy susans, and implementing practical tips for implementation, you can transform these often awkward areas into valuable storage spaces.

Whether you choose to use pre-made lazy susans or opt for a DIY approach, the key is to maximize accessibility while maintaining a visually appealing layout. With these tips and real-life examples, you'll be well on your way to creating an efficient and stylish pantry that meets all your storage needs.

By following these guidelines and incorporating lazy susans into your pantry design, you'll be able to enjoy a more organized kitchen where every corner is utilized effectively. Happy organizing!