HOW TO CHOOSE A BLIND CORNER CABINET ORGANIZER

Author: Norine Farrell

What is a blind corner?

A blind corner is the space that is created where two perpendicular lines of cabinets meet. A good use of limited kitchen corner storage space is to install a “blind corner cabinet,” which extends beyond the corner and takes up the unused space.

Blind base cabinets have just one door but the actual storage includes two more sections – the “stile,” which is next to the door, and the “blind” section where the other cabinet joins. All your storage will reach back into the stile and the blind sections. Take a look at the diagram to see the space a blind cabinet provides.

Blind Base Cabinet

First, understand that if the cabinet’s design didn’t give access to the blind space, then it would be “dead” space, which has been (and probably still is for some manufacturers) a corner cabinet option. 

These Blind Corner cabinets are roomy and can accommodate larger appliances than other cabinets. This cabinet may prove suitable for more sizable items like a crock pot or electric mixer. And prior to the design of corner cabinet organizers, most homeowners kept their larger, least used appliances tucked into the dark cave this blind space creates.

Today, however, there are organizing systems available for blind base cabinets to fit your specific needs: including pull-out shelves and half-moon lazy susans and more. The hardware for any of these organizers should slide or pull easily, without extreme effort from you.

Is organizing a Blind Corner cabinet expensive?

Efficient storage can be a challenge that adds to your cabinet expenses. Good quality interior kitchen organization accessories can seem like a huge investment. (Some systems or components cost more than $1,000.)

Which is better? Blind corner organizers or a Lazy Susan?

Lazy Susan: Advantages

The spinning feature of the lazy susan makes for especially easy access and those items you use most often can be easily spun around to right in front of you–not hidden in the back of a deep shelf.

Lazy Susan: Disadvantages

Because of its round shape, the Lazy Susan doesn’t reach every last inch of space: the area between the rounded edges of the tray and the cabinet walls is not utilized. However, this is minimal and is generally compensated for by Lazy Susan’s clever but simple engineering.

Over years of use, corner cabinet Lazy Susans can develop some difficulty with  turning, and even fall off their axis point. Like any mechanical device including the organizers listed below, a Lazy Susan has a life-expectancy and may give up the ghost one day.

Blind Corner Organizer: Advantages

There is an organizer for everyone! Examples are: pullout tray drawers, corner drawers, swinging pullouts, and recycling centers. Another option is to use a corner display or motorized shelves, but that is another blog for another day!

Planning your blind corner space during the design phase of your kitchen cabinet project is essential in order to know all your options, and to obtain the advice of the experts.  

Several top styles of pull out organizers include:

Magic Corner I & II by Hafele

LeMans Two-Tier Pull Out by Hafele

The Cloud by Rev-a-Shelf

Half-Moon Rev-a-Shelf Pull Out

The Curve by Rev-a-Shelf

Vadania Blind Corner Pull Out

Blind Corner Organizer: Disadvantages

The DIY installation of blind corner cabinet organizers in an existing cabinet can be super challenging, but like anything else you may attempt to retrofit into your home: measure, measure, measure! Since Installing these is not an easy task, another option is to find a patient installer.

Cost can be considered a disadvantage since these units don’t come cheap, but can you really put a price on the satisfaction you have with utilizing your kitchen storage?

Conclusion

Utilizing the blind corner cabinet space efficiently is a huge positive in your kitchen storage. Talk to your cabinet professional about what is available and what will fit within your plan. There are some major cost differences between these models, so be realistic about what you are willing to spend.