Kitchen Storage & Organization

The kitchen is an area of your home that gets used more often than most other areas. So it stands to reason that if your kitchen were more organized and simple to use, your life would feel easier.  In this and subsequent articles we will address this important topic. We will offer our insights based on our design experience and important feedback from our Customers. We will discuss both the “tried & true” proven technology as well as new technological developments that offer exciting opportunities to improve the Kitchen Storage & Organization.

The Corner Dilemma

The first important issue that we will address is the age old question: “What is the best storage solution for the corner?” Fortunately this is an area where technology has advanced and a number of options are open to us. The best solution for each Kitchen will depend on a number of factors that we will explore.

First, I believe it will be informative to review the historical options so that we have a better appreciation of what the new technology has to offer. Let’s start with the worst possible alternatives:

1. 1. The Dead Corner –
      

      Kitchen Storage and Organization

      I have never met a Customer who liked a Dead Corner. What do I mean by a Dead Corner? You may have had a Kitchen in the past where due to space constraints (and poor Kitchen Design) there was no access to the corner for any storage. A Dead Corner is created when two cabinets and fillers come together in the corner blocking access to any storage space.

   2. The Blind Corner – Running a close second to the Dead Corner is the Blind Corner. The advantage over the Dead Corner is the fact that the corner space is accessible for potential storage. The problem is that unless the cabinet is modified (as will be discussed later), in order to access the Blind Corner you must get on your hands and knees to retrieve items. Need I say more?
      

      Counter Top Measurements

   3. The Carousel Corner Susan– The next step up on the “worst corner storage solution” ladder is the infamous Carousel Corner Susan. If you have ever had one of these in your Kitchen then you are well aware of the pitfalls. More than likely you have dropped items off the rotating shelves that have never been seen again!! This combined with pinched fingers and limited access and storage renders this option less than desirable.
      

      Lazy Susan

Technology Advances

Next we will take a look at the options that are available for improved storage and organization for our base corners. These will not be discussed in order of desirability since each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Rather we will subdivide the discussion into improved solutions for the Blind Corner and the Corner Susan.

1. Improvements for the Blind Corner –
   • Diagonal Corner Lazy Susan with Wood Turntables – This is a nice option with easy access. There is no center spindle which allows unobstructed storage on the turn table and the solid shelf keep items from falling into “Never-never land”.
   • Square Corner Lazy Susan with Wood Turntables – This option is similar with a pie shaped turntable that is notched for the door. The center hinged door folds completely out of the way. The square corner provides easier access to the corner wall cabinet and gives easier access to the countertop for food prep.

2. Improvements for the Corner Susan –
   • Diagonal Corner Lazy Susan with Wood Turntables – This is a nice option with easy access. There is no center spindle which allows unobstructed storage on the turn table and the solid shelf keep items from falling into “Never-never land”.
   • Square Corner Lazy Susan with Wood Turntables – This option is similar with a pie shaped turntable that is notched for the door. The center hinged door folds completely out of the way. The square corner provides easier access to the corner wall cabinet and gives easier access to the countertop for food prep.