It's essential to have the right storage solutions in your home—not only to make your space more organized but also to simplify your day-to-day life. One of the best ways to do this is by incorporating a lazy Susan cabinet into your kitchen or pantry.
Whether you have a new home or are looking to redo your storage spaces, lazy Susans are an excellent option to maximize storage and accessibility, particularly in those hard-to-reach corners. Let’s dig into the history of this cabinet style, its benefits and advantages, plus our team’s best recommendations for materials.
The Ultimate Guide to Lazy Susan Cabinets: Types, Benefits and Tips
What is a lazy Susan cabinet?
The concept of a lazy Susan concept entails rotating racks or shelves mounted on a turntable base. The spinning shelves system works inside a cabinet, on a table, or on a countertop. The rotation mechanism uses bearings that make the shelf rotate, usually 360 degrees, similar to a turntable.
It’s anchored by mounts or posts that hold it in a fixed position while it turns, and this unique rotation mechanism allows you to access anything from inside the cupboard.
You will often find lazy Susans in corner cupboards, as the turntable shelves make it easy to access everything hidden deep inside those corners.
Where Did Lazy Susans Get Their Name?
The origins of the term “lazy Susan” remains a mystery.Some speculation says President Thomas Jefferson had the first lazy Susan developed for his daughter—who always complained about being the last to eat at the table—while others say it was Thomas Edison who developed the concept.The rest chalk it up to a generic name that caught on, much like “Peeping Tom.”
Regardless of which Thomas or Susan we have to thank for the invention, lazy Susans are great and we will explain all the advantages of having one—especially as a corner cabinet.
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Advantages of Lazy Susan Corner Cabinets
1. Solves the Problem of Blind Corners
Blind corner cabinets are usually huge and often not user-friendly. It's almost impossible to get anything in or out of them, not to mention to try to organize what’s inside.
That is until you get a lazy Susan. A lazy Susan eliminates this issue by making every inch of your cabinet usable and easily accessible! Because he lazy Susan’s spinning mechanism allows you to access everything stored deep inside the cabinet without hassle, you won't have any trouble grabbing what you need.
2. Makes It Easier to Find Items
You might be familiar with the frustration of trying to locate one particular ingredient for your recipe and digging through loose spices and condiments just to find it.In most cases, you will find your elusive ingredient hidden in the innermost corner of the cabinet, by which time you’re probably entirely irritated.
A lazy Susan means you'll never have to deal with this. The rotation mechanism will bring the items at the back of the cabinet toward the front for easy reach, saving you time and frustration.
It also allows you to organize your cabinet space without having to make a mess every time you need something.
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
3. Reduces Clutter and Maximizes Space
With standard shelving, it’s easy for the clutter to get out of hand. A lazy Susan will help declutter, so you can keep everything neat and tidy. The multi-tiered system maximizes vertical storage space, meaning that you can store more in your cabinets while also keeping everything organized. Additionally, most cabinets can fit two or more Lazy Susan shelf tiers, meaning they can fit more items than would have been possible in an ordinary cupboard.
The Most Common Types of Lazy Susans
1. Full Circle Lazy Susan
Source: Pinterest
The full circle lazy Susan is the most common type and rotates 360 degrees, allowing for more storage space. You can also move the racks up and down to accommodate several tiers in a single cabinet.
The full circle can be used in base cabinets or be used to increase storage and functionality on the kitchen counter. It works for most cupboards, including corner cabinets with doors that open at a 45-degree angle.
2. Kidney Shaped Lazy Susan
As the name suggests, this shape looks a lot like a kidney. This lazy Susan has a triangular cut-out end, so a cabinet door that closes at a 90-degree angle can open and shut smoothly.
Note: The kidney-shaped lazy Susan is best suited for L-shaped corner cabinets in the kitchen.
Though it doesn't offer the same storage options as a full-circle shelf does, it gives easy access to kitchen items stored in your hard-to-reach L-shaped corner cabinet.
3. D-Shaped Lazy Susan
The D-shaped lazy Susan design resembles the letter D. It has one rounded side while being flat on the other end, making it perfect for a pantry cabinet. The flat back allows the cabinet door to close seamlessly while still offering generous storage capacity.
What Materials Are Used for Lazy Susans?
A great kitchen balances both aesthetic and function. To achieve both, the materials and finishes you use for your cabinets should blend perfectly.
With this in mind, there are several different Lazy Susan materials you can opt for:
- Wood: A classic option that adds warmth to your cabinetry
- Plastic: Durable and affordable for everyday use
- Metal: Sleek and modern, perfect for a more minimalist aesthetic
- Glass or Marble: Either one adds a touch of luxury to your storage, but will need special treatment
Wire shelves: an airy, modern look that allows better airflow.
Source: Vauth Segal
Another important consideration is the color of the lazy Susan. Using a color similar to the one on your kitchen cabinet helps improve your home’s overall look.
The cabinet door that your lazy Susan is behind will usually be made to match the rest of your cabinetry.
Lazy Susan Organizers
To make the most out of your lazy Susan–optimized kitchen cupboards, use organizers to subdivide the shelves.
Source: Amazon
Lazy Susan organizers come in different brands and materials. Store-bought organizing bins usually come in plastic, wire, or wood, and you can place them on each shelf in your kitchen cabinets.
What Sizes Do Cabinet Lazy Susans Come in?
inches to fit a 20-inch cupboard.You have the option of buying these and installing them into already-built cabinets. However, to get the best results, it’s smart to customize your lazy Susans.
For a custom-made lazy Susan, you should determine the exact measurements needed for it to fit your cabinets. Here’s what you need to do to select the best shelf size:
- Measure the inner width and depth of your cabinet.
- Subtract up to 4 inches from your measurements to get the exact diameter of your lazy Susan shelf.
- Measure the cabinet’s height to see how many tiers you can fit inside.
Note: The shelf must be far enough from the cabinet walls to ensure a smooth rotation.
You have to get the measurements right or you’ll get a non-functional turntable that either wobbles or doesn’t rotate.
Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Your Lazy Susan
Taking care of your space-optimizing lazy Susan cabinets will help avoid damage and increase your storage spaces’ usefulness. With the right care, your cupboards can last a lifetime. Here’s how to keep them in top shape:
- Use a soft cloth and a mild cleaning agent, such as dish soap, to clean the shelves.
- Vacuum inside to remove dirt in the corners and under the turntables.
- Avoid harsh chemicals like ammonia and bleach that can damage the shelf.
- Avoid using too much water, as that can damage the mechanical system and wood.
- Use plastic spatulas if you have to scrape off debris so that you won’t scratch the surfaces.
Creative Uses for Lazy Susans Around the Home
While lower shelves in the kitchen are the most common place to find lazy Susans, there are so many other spots around the house where they can be beneficial.
Check out this video to learn more:
Lazy Susans aren’t just for kitchen cabinets! Here are some other ways to use them throughout your home to incorporate more clever storage:
- In the pantry: Organize cans, jars and bottles so nothing gets forgotten
- Under the sink: This is a great way to store cleaning supplies that need quick access
- On the dinner table: Keep condiments and dishes within easy reach for your family and guests
- In the bathroom: Use a lazy Susan to organize skincare, cosmetics and toiletries
- As a spice rack: The perfect way to keep your spices tidy, visible and easy to grab
In the fridge: Prevent spills and group-like items while also making the most of limited refrigerator space
Why Lazy Susans Are a Must-Have for Every Home
Lazy Susan cabinets are more than just a convenience—they help to transform even the smallest space. By improving storage, accessibility and organization, this clever solution will help you make the most of your space. All while helping to keep your home tidy!
Ready to add a lazy Susan to your cabinets? At CRD Design Build, we specialize in creating custom storage solutions that fit your needs perfectly. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with our smart, space-saving designs.
