Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets Like Never Before with Lazy Susans
Do your kitchen cabinets contain a disorganized mess of cookware, food items and small appliances? Are you constantly stretching and straining to reach items in the back of your cabinets? If so, it may be time to employ one of the most clever kitchen storage solutions around - the lazy susan.
Lazy susans are turntable trays that sit inside your cabinets, allowing you to access items with a simple spin. These spinning organizers can help you optimize your storage space, conquer clutter and finally get organized. Read on to discover how lazy susans can revolutionize your kitchen.
Different Lazy Susan Designs and Styles
While the basic spinning concept remains the same, lazy susans come in many different designs to suit various needs. Here are some of the most common styles:
Round Lazy Susans
The classic lazy susan features a circular tray that rotates within your cabinet. Round lazy susans work well in standard corner cabinets, making it easy to access items that would otherwise get lost in the back of the corner.
Round lazy susans come in a range of sizes from 12 to 20 inches in diameter. Choose a size that allows adequate surface area without excessive overhang into your cabinet space.
Pie-Shaped Lazy Susans
Pie-shaped lazy susans are designed to optimize storage in angled pie-cut corner cabinets. The pie shape hugs the contours of the cabinet walls while still allowing a full 360 degree rotation.
This specialized shape helps make use of every inch of your corner cabinet space. No more struggling to reach the back corner or digging items out from the wedge-shaped area.
Door Mounted Lazy Susans
Another option is a horizontally mounted lazy susan that attaches to the inside of cabinet doors. The spinning tray provides a second shelf without taking up valuable cabinet floor space.
Door mounted lazy susans are great solutions for blind corner cabinets. Just open the door and spin to access everything stored on the hidden spinning tray.
Pull-Out Lazy Susans
Pull-out lazy susans are mounted on slides or tracks that allow you to fully extend them from your cabinets. This provides even easier access to items that may be tricky to reach in the back of deep cabinets.
Pull-out lazy susans come in multiple widths like 6, 9 or 12 inches. Choose a size based on your cabinet depth and storage needs.
Material and Construction Options
Today's lazy susans are constructed from a variety of materials, each with their own advantages.
Classic wooden lazy susans provide an attractive look and feel, although they are heavier. Metal and plastic options are typically more affordable and lightweight.
For a sleek, contemporary accent, glass or acrylic lazy susans are available. Or choose eco-friendly bamboo for sustainability.
Consider the type of items you will store when selecting materials. Plastic and bamboo are easier to clean while metal and wood are more durable options.
Many manufacturers also offer custom-designed lazy susans so you can choose the perfect size, shape, color and compartment options.
Enhanced Features and Accessories
Lazy susans come with a variety of optional features and accessories for increased functionality:
- Built-in LED lighting - Illuminates the dark inner corners of your cabinet.
- Multi-tiered levels - Provides more vertical storage space.
- Glass doors - Contain messy items while still allowing you to see contents.
- Vertical dividers - Separate and organize different items.
- Spice inserts - Custom compartments for spice jars.
- Trays - For storing smaller items.
- Knife blocks - Keep knives handy but safely tucked away.
Buying Considerations and Recommendations
Keep these tips in mind when selecting the perfect lazy susan:
- Accurately measure the area you plan to place it to ensure proper fitting.
- Consider the weight capacity based on items you need to store.
- Evaluate ease of installation and any cabinet modifications required.
- Choose high quality materials and smooth ball bearings for effortless rotation.
Lazy Susan Alternatives and Hacks
Don't think lazy susans are just for kitchen cabinets? Here are some creative ways to use the spinning concept in other areas:
- Place a spinning turntable inside your fridge to easily access condiments.
- Use a cake turntable on the dining table for serving side dishes.
- DIY options like cake stands mounted on lazy susan hardware.
- Add one to utility closets, the garage, home office and more.
Here are some of the ways lazy susans can help organize all areas of your kitchen:
Keeping Pantry Items Accessible
It seems all those food staples and canned goods get shoved to the back of the pantry, impossible to reach. Lazy susans let you:
- Easily access packaged foods, dry goods and snacks.
- Find pastas, rice and baking ingredients in seconds.
- Keep cooking oils, condiments and spices right at your fingertips.
Organizing Appliances and Cookware
End the cabinet chaos with pots awkwardly stacked and appliances stuffed in every which way. Lazy susans neatly organize:
- Small kitchen appliances like coffee makers and blenders.
- Pots, pans, lids and baking sheets.
- Mixing bowls, cutting boards and cooking utensils.
Storing Cups, Plates and Serving Dishes
Dish storage no longer means precarious leaning towers. Safely store:
- Plates, bowls, mugs and glassware.
- Serving platters, bowls and baking dishes.
- For quick and easy setting of dinner tables.
Keeping Spices Organized
Never struggle to find the paprika again. Lazy susans are perfect for:
- Small spice jars that fit neatly in compartments.
- Optional slide out racks to access every seasoning.
- Custom inserts to keep spices logically grouped.
Managing Food Storage Containers
No more haphazard stacks of Tupperware. Lazy susans let you:
- Organize assorted plastic containers and lids of all sizes.
- Stand glass storage upright - no more spills.
- Easily find what you need when you need it.
With their clever rotating design, lazy susans are perfect for conquering the chaos of hard to reach cabinets and wasted corner space. They provide easy accessibility and maximize storage potential throughout your kitchen.
With options for every cabinet configuration, lazy susans are a great storage solution. They can help organize pantry items, dishes, cookware, appliances and more.