I am replacing my corner cabinet...Please comment...

12 years ago

I had put a corner pullout, 49", with the shape of a kidney. We had thought about it a lot and decided on this vs a 24" drawer base, to save a few inches in filler, and because we were advised that otherwise we will be wasting corner space...

Well, the pullout is installed and I realize that I do not like it... I carefully placed things inside and compared with the 24" drawer base that I have... it DOES NOT hold a lot more. Plus, you have to be careful that whatever you put there is not heavy, and that it is well balanced or else it hits the inside of the cabinet...

I called our GC and asked if he can put a 24" base drawer there, sure thing, we can still do it...Of course he will charge for the extra labor. There will be only 1" filler, and because the other cabinet on the L is a sink, this means I will be able to open one of the 3 drawers only 16". (Handles are 1 1/2 "). To me, this is a small price to pay.

But before I go ahead, is there something I am missing? Everybody was so insistent on using that corner space. The corner will be dead now with the 24" base drawer, but I cannot wait...

So, please tell me if anybody else has had this experience, and if there is something I am missing...

Thanks!

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Comments (10)

blfenton
12 years ago
Can you change the type of pullout to make it more usable or have it as a super lazy susan?
natal
12 years ago
I chose a lazy susan for one of my corners. After reading this forum I was convinced it had to be a super lazy susan. Not so. What I have works fine.
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kitchendreaming
Original Author
12 years ago
no, no room for lazy susan or super lazy susan...but thank you for offering alternatives...
Buehl
12 years ago
Sounds like you've thought it out and, based on your experience, what you have just isn't working for you. So, if you're OK with only opening one of the drawer 16" b/c of the handle on the sink base cabinet, then go ahead.

I would consider configuring your drawer base so only a shallow drawer is impacted...leaving all the other drawers free to open fully (E.g., 2 shallow & 1 deep OR 3 shallow & 1 deep OR 2 shallow 2 medium height). You might then put long items in the shallow drawer that won't necessitate opening the drawer fully to get to the contents...maybe placemats or cooking utensils.

Could you put shorter knobs on the sink cabinet to allow the drawer to open fully? Or remove the knobs altogether and either open it w/o knobs (if possible) or install those "handles" that mount on the back of the door and stick out above the top of the door to use as a handle? (I don't know what they're called...sorry!)

[It's too bad you cannot fit a corner susan b/c it not only provides good storage for a corner, but also creates "filler" with the 12" wide exposed sides on each leg. Ah well! Your solution sounds like it will work for you!]

Good luck!
harrimann
12 years ago
I'll make the controversial statement that I think it wouldn't be such a terrible idea to take the organizer thingy out of the existing cabinet, and have an L-shaped permanent shelf put in. That way, you can use the accessible part of the cabinet for most of the year, and weird, seasonal stuff can be stowed waaaay in the back. Sure, you'll have to empty the front part of the cabinet and dig to the back to reach your Christmas punch bowl, but you only need to do that once a year, right?
desertsteph
12 years ago
I'm with ya. I'm leaving my corner DEAD.

here's an option I had in my photo file...
kitchendreaming
Original Author
12 years ago
thank you all for your ideas and support!
Believe it or not, I am still undecided... I keep putting stuff on the pull out, then running to my 24" drawer and putting the stuff there, to see which one holds more stuff...
Depending on what I put I see an advantage to the pull out or not... Meanwhile I am taking pictures so I will post them. Great that we have the Memorial Day weekend to think this over...
BEST!
elizpiz
12 years ago
We wanted a super susan as well, but space didn't allow for it. We opted for a pull out shelf that actually gives us pretty good storage. Our cabinet maker built us a custom wood shelf at the bottom to really maximise the space.

I've since reconfigured the shelving (another handy feature) and have even more in there.

Look up Arlosmom's kitchen in the Finished Kitchen Blog - AMAZING kitchen and very clever treatment of a corner space.

Here's a pic from her album:

Eliz
melissastar
12 years ago
Kitchendreaming: I notice that Elizpiz didn't tell you the specifics on her system, which is, I think, exactly what I have waiting to be installed. It's made by Hafele and is called the magic corner. There are two versions (MC I and MCII). She appears to have the MC I, where the first set of shelves moves with the cabinet door. The MCII uses a standard hinged door (either right or left), then you can pull out and swing over the top and bottom of the front unit separately.

As the cabinet accessories are one thing my rotten theiving sack of garbage GC left unfinished, I can't say whether I really will like it. But, I did research extensively before buying and found that there are multiple versions of this type of unit. The Hafele is by far the costliest and by far the best reviewed...considered strong and sturdy. And as Elizpiz says...it can hold a lot.

I wouldn't consider any other option for a blind base cabinet. Ultimately your choice between dead space and 24" drawer base and this, I think, should depend on what you'd like or need to store there. The MC is probably a better option for anyting relatively tall. It's right next to my range, so I intend to put bottles of oil, cooking sherry, etc. in the front unit and use the back unit for somewhat less used specialty pans (brioche pans, pudding molds, etc.) If I had a need for any shallower drawers for dishtowels, utensils, spices, etc. I'd go with the drawer base and say good riddance to the dead corner.
kitchendreaming
Original Author
12 years ago
thank you very much!, I have other places in the house where to store infrequently used items... so I am saying GOOD RIDANCE!

I am replacing my corner cabinet...Please comment...

Comments (10)

blfenton

natal

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I am replacing my corner cabinet...Please comment...

Comments (10)

blfenton

natal

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