Curious if anyone’s tried those pull-out corner drawers instead of the spinning ones? I’ve installed a few and folks seem to love them, but I haven’t lived with one myself.
Deep drawers: 100% agree, they’re a lifesaver for pots and pans—no more crouching to dig stuff out.
Pull-out corner drawers? I’ve seen them in action. Way less “lost Tupperware” than the lazy Susan, but you do lose a bit of space in the corners. Trade-off, I guess.
Under-cabinet lighting—honestly, I’m on the fence. It looks great and helps with prep, but yeah, it’s another surface to wipe down. If you cook a lot at night or have a dark kitchen, probably worth it. Otherwise... maybe not essential.
And yeah, half my “space-saving gadgets” end up in the back of a drawer. Some things never change.
Way less “lost Tupperware” than the lazy Susan, but you do lose a bit of space in the corners. Trade-off, I guess.
Yeah, that’s been my experience too. Pull-out corners are smoother to use, but you’re giving up some storage. If you’re tight on space, it might bug you. Deep drawers are a must—can’t imagine going back. Under-cabinet lighting is nice, but honestly, I barely notice it after a while. Most gadgets just end up collecting dust anyway...
Title: Kitchen Redesign Adventure: Worth the Hype or Not?
I get where you’re coming from about deep drawers—those things are game changers for pots, pans, and all the random kitchen stuff that never seems to have a home. But I’ve actually seen a few folks regret giving up corner cabinets entirely, especially in smaller kitchens. Sometimes it’s not about maximizing every inch, but more about how you use the space you do have. Ever tried those corner drawers that sort of zig-zag out? They’re quirky, but surprisingly functional if you don’t mind a little oddball engineering.
On the under-cabinet lighting—funny thing, I used to think it was just a “nice to have” too, until I worked on a kitchen where the main light was always blocked by someone standing at the counter. Suddenly, those little LEDs made all the difference. Maybe it depends on how much you cook at night or if your kitchen gets decent daylight. I’d say it’s one of those features you don’t appreciate until you’re chopping onions in your own shadow.
As for gadgets, yeah, most end up in the graveyard drawer... but every now and then, someone swears by their bread maker or air fryer. I guess it comes down to what actually fits your routine. I’ve seen people design whole pull-out shelves just for their stand mixer because they use it daily. Others just want more counter space and less clutter.
Curious if anyone’s found a way to make those awkward corner spots actually useful without feeling like you’re sacrificing too much? Or maybe there’s a clever hack out there that doesn’t involve another spinning tray. Always feels like there’s some new trick I haven’t seen yet...
Curious if anyone’s found a way to make those awkward corner spots actually useful without feeling like you’re sacrificing too much? Or maybe there’s a clever hack out there that doesn’t involve another spinning tray.
Here’s what’s worked for me: I ripped out the old lazy Susan and built a custom pull-out with two deep trays on heavy-duty slides. It’s not fancy, but I can stash my slow cooker and a stack of mixing bowls in there—way more practical than spinning trays that always jam. Takes a bit of DIY patience to get the slides lined up, but it’s solid. Has anyone tried those corner pantries that use the dead space for vertical storage? Wondering if they’re worth the hassle or just another gimmick.
I’m right there with you on the lazy Susan frustration—mine always felt like a relic from another era, and I swear it ate more Tupperware lids than it ever helped me find. I swapped mine out for a recycled-wood pull-out, similar to what you described, and honestly, it’s made that corner finally feel intentional instead of just “oh, here’s where stuff goes to die.”
About those tall corner pantries: I’ve seen a few in eco-conscious remodels, where folks use vertical cubbies for baking sheets or cutting boards. It looks tidy, but I’m not convinced it’s the best use of space unless you’re really short on cabinets elsewhere. Plus, unless you’re careful with materials and ventilation, mold can sneak in since corners tend to be cooler and damper.
Has anyone figured out a way to use those awkward spots for compost bins or recycling storage? I keep thinking there’s potential there, but haven’t cracked it yet...
