Blind Corner Cabinet Ideas to Maximize Corner Space

Customers and remodelers will hear blind corner cabinets pop up during the kitchen design, but not always know what this cabinet is. Not all kitchens are designed as a straightaway in a galley style. Most homes design the kitchens to be L-shaped or U-shaped. This will require a cabinet in the corner to connect both sides together. Nobody wants to sacrifice that space as a dead corner. So what options are out there?

What is a blind corner cabinet

A blind corner cabinet is a changed 36” base cabinet. Regular 36” base will feature 18” double doors while a blind base corner will use a 15” door and a center stile. A center stile is the wood piece next to the door that acts as a spacer for the cabinet that connects to the cabinets to the side. 

Mechanics and Specifications

A blind corner cabinet is exactly like a regular 36” cabinet. It commonly will feature one functional drawer and one door. Half of the cabinet is hidden in the corner, but the space is still usable. Many people will use a blind corner cabinet to store baking trays, pots & pans, or even large appliances not commonly used. A blind corner will also have an option shelf inside to double storage inside. This shelf is removable for additions one wants to add later on.

There is some space that needs to be used to pull the cabinet out. These cabinets are pulled out 6 inches from the wall rather than sitting flush against both walls. A filler is typically used to space 3” from the center stile of the blind corner cabinet to the next cabinet. The filler acts to put in enough space for the door handles to open fully without colliding with other handles or doors.

Why have a blind corner cabinet

A blind corner cabinet is put in the corner of a kitchen where two walls meet for L-shaped or U-shaped kitchens. Most people who think of corner cabinets will default to designing with a Lazy Susan. Problems with the estimate or space situation will typically change one’s decision to get a blind corner cabinet for the kitchen.

One might get a blind corner cabinet because of the cost difference to upgrade to a Lazy Susan. The price difference is nearly double. Why is that? A lazy susan utilizes more technology and wood to create. Aesthetically, a blind corner cabinet looks to be half the size of a Lazy Susan. The storage amount though is not that much more. One pays heavily for the convenience of access with this price difference rather than more storage.

Not only is price a consideration, but also the space requirement and commitment. Having a Lazy Susan is nice, but the space needed to fit it in is difficult for small homes. A Lazy Susan needs 33” or 36” in both directions to fit in a set space. The needed space may take away regular storage space in larger double-door cabinets or drawers. The sacrificed space is not worth the trade to incorporate a Lazy Susan trade.

Mistakes with blind corner cabinet

There are things that can go wrong with the blind corner cabinet. Of all cabinets, blind corners must follow two rules that other cabinets do not have to worry about. Professional cabinet installers are aware of this, but individuals installing themselves need to be aware. A kitchen designer will always be mindful about the potential of colliding and interfering door handles. The base cabinet MUST be pulled out 6” and a 3” filler must be used to space the cabinet from the center stile.

Not pulling the cabinet out 6” will result in the door and drawer not opening properly. Particularly the drawer needs room to pull out and won’t hit any perpendicular door handles. Similarly, the 3” filler must be added to allow the door to swing fully without colliding with any obstacles. This filler also gives drawers on the perpendicular side to open as well. Not following these two rules may cause more damage than cabinets not opening. Appliance handles and opening doors can also be blocked off. During the designing process, it is helpful to inform the designer of what appliances one is choosing to have for their kitchen. They can make note of what handles to be aware of for the refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher.

Lazy susan vs blind corner cabinet

The main difference between these corner cabinets is the accessibility and storage potential. A Lazy Susan will have two turntables inside. The circular shelves do not occupy the whole space inside compared to a traditional cabinet. One will rotate the shelf by turning the circular turntable itself. Lazy Susan turntables themselves do not have a handle or lever to easily rotate the shelf.

A blind corner cabinet will have one drawer and one door. The inside of the blind cabinet hidden from view is fully accessible. An adjustable shelf is typically included like a traditional 36” cabinet. With the available depth of a blind corner cabinet, baking trays are 

Upgrades to blind corner cabinet

One may look between the two base corner cabinets and instantly assume the Lazy Susan is the superior option. Out of the box, that is true. However, the options of upgrades can easily tip the scale of balance. A Lazy Susan has flaws that the turntables itself are limited to a certain weight to turn easily. Putting too many heavy pots on the turntable will make access slower. Even the bottom turntable is not as easy to utilize. So what magic can a blind corner have?

A mechanism called “magic corners” are innovative organizational accessories that are installed into blind corner cabinets. This is a pull-out shelf taken to the next level. A magic corner has between 2 to 4 shelves that are installed into hinges and tracks that enable all of them to be pulled out with a simple pull of a lever. The cabinet’s major flaw is that people that struggle with weakened joints or weak lower back will have a hard time accessing blind corner cabinets. A magic corner makes access to the inner part the easiest cabinet to access in the kitchen. 

Advantages of a blind corner cabinet

Despite the Lazy Susan appearing superior to a blind corner cabinet, blind corner will have two benefits. The first is the option of larger cabinets. Smaller kitchens that want to have a Lazy Susan are forced to fill in space. This means small cabinets and even downgrading other cabinets are needed to put in the Lazy Susan. Many people do not like the idea of having to put in a spice rack or even a 12” base cabinet. While one theoretically sacrifices 6” of space to fill that space with the blind corner cabinet, they enable the reset of the kitchen cabinets to be what they want. 

The second advantage is the final cost. A kitchen remodel cost can surprise one after all the cabinets they want end up much higher than ever anticipated. Lazy Susan cabinets are the second most expensive cabinet to pantry cabinets. The number of resources used to assemble a Lazy Susan is almost twice a normal cabinet. Like a regular base cabinet, a blind corner cabinet is half the cost of the Lazy Susan. This gives the homeowner more room to plan other necessities of the remodel.

Wall equivalent blind corner cabinet?

Base cabinets are not the only ones to have a lazy susan. Wall cabinets can run into the same problems and issues that one may encounter with the base. Depending on the cabinet style, there are 3 options of wall corner cabinets. They include a diagonal corner, an L-shaped corner cabinet, and a blind wall corner cabinet. 

• A wall diagonal cabinet will require 24 inches in both directions. These will feature 2-3 shelves and have a diagonal opening door.

• The L-shaped corner cabinet looks like a Lazy Susan attached to the wall cabinets. It has a pair of bi-fold doors.

• Wall blind corner cabinets are similar to the base blind equivalent. It is a 27” cabinet that is halfway hidden inside. The Cabinet uses 12” doors and has a 3” center stile.

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