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24 Corner Cabinet Ideas to Make the Most of an Overlooked Space

By
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 11/07/24
corner cabinet ideas

Bakes & Kropp

If you are looking for corner cabinet ideas to add storage or display space to your kitchen, there are a number of options to help you make the most of an awkward or underutilized space.

From angled cabinets to open shelving, interior features such as swinging pullout drawers, to tips on how to use paint, lighting, and moldings to seamlessly integrate both base and upper cabinetry, check out these corner cabinet ideas to make any size kitchen more functional and stylish.

  • 01 of 24

    Install Pull-Out Shelving

    pull-out corner cabinet ideas

    Bakes & Kropp

    Corner cabinetry can be challenging to access, resulting in forgotten items at the back. Bakes & Kropp solved that problem with two-tiered slide-out shelving with a built-in guard rail to store large pots and cookware to keep your kitchen looking organized.

    Tip

    There are a number of ways to make the interiors of your corner cabinets extra-functional. Look for special features like built-in lazy Susans, tiered pull-out shelves, and accordion drawers.

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  • 02 of 24

    Add Inner Cabinet Lighting

    corner cabinet lighting ideas

    Bakes & Kropp

    Take the focus away from an awkward kitchen corner space with glass-front cabinetry that is lit from within to show off your favorite collection of glassware, like this space from Bakes & Kropp.

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  • 03 of 24

    Mix in Open Shelving

    white corner cabinet ideas

    Jessica Nelson Design / Carina Skrobecki Photography

    Combine a double-height countertop-to-ceiling painted corner cabinet with natural wood floating shelves to create maximum storage while allowing your walls to breathe, like this space from Jessica Nelson Design.

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  • 04 of 24

    Build a Banquette

    corner cabinet ideas banquette

    Jessica Nelson Design / Carina Skrobecki Photography

    If your kitchen has wrap-around windows and a captivating view, focus on maximizing your base cabinetry. Jessica Nelson Design added under-bench storage drawers in this eat-in kitchen that mimic the base drawers and cabinets in the light-flooded space.

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  • 05 of 24

    Add a Hidden Compartment

    corner cabinet molding ideas

    Bakes & Kropp

    Fill the empty corner space in an L-shaped kitchen with an appliance garage. This space from Bakes & Kropp includes a hidden compartment that blends in seamlessly with upper kitchen cabinetry.

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  • 06 of 24

    Blur the Corners With Paint

    glass-front corner cabinet ideas

    Desiree Burns Interiors

    Help make cabinets look integrated by blurring the corners with an extra-dark backsplash and countertops. Desiree Burns Interiors maximized the corner space with wrap-around cabinets that float above the dark backsplash.

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  • 07 of 24

    Skip the Hardware

    natural wood corner cabinet ideas

    Design by DasMod and Handsome Salt / Photo by Jenny Siegwart

    Keep upper cabinetry free of hardware for a streamlined look that won't call attention to kitchen cabinets of varying widths. This kitchen designed by Eric Gilmer and Sven Simon of DasMod in conjunction with interior designer Sara Simon of Handsome Salt is finished with flat-front stained wood cabinetry in a warm honey tone.

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  • 08 of 24

    Try Doorless Cabinets

    open corner cabinet ideas

    Velinda Hellen Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    Lighten up the look of corner cabinets by taking off the doors. Velinda Hellen Design filled the corner of this bright modern kitchen with a natural wood storage cabinet that includes open shelving for cookbooks and everyday items.

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  • 09 of 24

    Smooth Out the Angles

    angled corner cabinet ideas

    Gray Space Interiors

    An angled corner cabinet will allow you to create an uninterrupted line of storage on the upper cabinetry for a streamlined look, like this kitchen from Gray Space Interiors.

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  • 10 of 24

    Hang a Pair of Shelves

    corner cabinet open shelves ideas

    Design by deVOL Kitchens / Photo by Our Food Stories

    If your kitchen includes a corner space with a window on one side, adding upper cabinetry can make it look cluttered or crowded. Opt for a pair of shelves instead, like this airy space from deVOL Kitchens and Our Food Stories.

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  • 11 of 24

    Choose Pull-Out Drawers

    corner base cabinet ideas

    Bakes & Kropp

    Store your most-used items at the front of pull-out drawers for maximum efficiency, like these space-saving pull-out drawers from Bakes & Kropp.

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  • 12 of 24

    Skip the Upper Cabinets

    corner cabinet ideas

    deVOL Kitchens

    In a spacious kitchen, install base cabinets and drawers with enough storage for everything, and swap upper cabinets for a slim open shelf that runs into the corner for display. Then fill the corner with a small piece of art and a table lamp for ambiance, like this timeless space from deVOL Kitchens.

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  • 13 of 24

    Match Brass Pulls and Handles

    corner cabinet hardware ideas

    Bakes & Kropp

    Using the same shiny brass hardware on upper and lower kitchen cabinets as well as plumbing fixtures will give your kitchen a polished and cohesive feel, like this bright kitchen from Bakes & Kropp that includes L-shaped cabinetry that hugs the corner.

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  • 14 of 24

    Fill Gaps With Open Shelves

    corner cabinet color ideas

    Fantastic Frank

    If your kitchen includes a partial wall of built-in, floor-to-ceiling storage, make it blend in seamlessly by painting the cabinetry and backsplash in the same color. Then fill in the corner gaps with open shelving in natural wood to break it up, like this terracotta-colored kitchen from Fantastic Frank.

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  • 15 of 24

    Use Vertical Space

    corner cabinet between windows ideas

    Jessica Nelson Design / Carina Skrobecki Photography

    Take your corner cabinets all the way up to the ceiling to maximize storage and balance the scale of surrounding windows. Jessica Nelson Design added smaller glass-front cabinets on top to lighten up the look.

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  • 16 of 24

    Create Under Cabinet Space

    shaker corner cabinet ideas

    Gray Space Interiors

    Use the countertop space below an angled corner cabinet for fixed items like a coffee machine or home base for your standing mixer if baking is a regular pastime, like this kitchen from Gray Space Interiors.

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  • 17 of 24

    Hang Open Shelf Units

    open corner cabinet ideas

    Jessica Nelson Design / Carina Skrobecki Photography

    Keep your kitchen feeling open and airy by trading upper cabinets for a pair of open shelf units hung from the ceiling. Jessica Nelson Design filled the corners of this open-plan kitchen with a pair of storage and display shelves that don't interfere with the windows and create a symmetrical look.

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  • 18 of 24

    Add Skinny Cabinets

    skinny corner cabinet ideas

    Gray Space Interiors

    Don't be afraid to mix kitchen cabinets of varying widths to accommodate a kitchen corner. Gray Space Interiors used a combination of skinny cabinets and an angled upper corner cabinet to make the most of this space. White cabinets are finished with antique bronze hardware that matches the pot filler over the range and echoes the grout on the white elongated hex backsplash.

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  • 19 of 24

    Light the Corner Shelves

    corner cabinet alternatives ideas

    Jessica Nelson Design / Carina Skrobecki Photography

    If your range has a large bump-out frame that would make adding a corner cabinet awkward, create a niche with open shelving and add a sconce light for nighttime use. Jessica Nelson Design styled the open shelves of this kitchen corner with a mix of practical and decorative items.

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  • 20 of 24

    Use Paint to Unify Space

    modern corner cabinet ideas

    Marie Flanigan Interiors

    If your kitchen layout includes a corner with a load-bearing wall that makes it impossible to install an uninterrupted line of cabinets, paint them in a bold contrasting color. Marie Flanigan Interiors chose a deep forest green.

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  • 21 of 24

    Mix in a Corner Shelf

    corner cabinet with corner shelving ideas

    Design by Living With Lolo / Photo by Life Created

    Fill the gaps between upper kitchen cabinets with open shelving to maximize every inch of space. Living With Lolo outfitted the corners of this neutral modern kitchen with tall, skinny double cabinets and chunky L-shaped natural wood floating shelves.

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  • 22 of 24

    Use Glass-Front Cabinets

    diy corner cabinet ideas

    Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona

    Use glass-front cabinets in the corner of your kitchen to distract the eye and create a space to display your prettiest or most used kitchen items, like this DIY kitchen design from blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona.

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  • 23 of 24

    Use Light Tones

    upper corner cabinet ideas

    Desiree Burns Interiors

    Downplay the look of corner cabinetry by using light tones on the uppers, lowers, countertops, and backsplash, like the pearl grays and creams of this uncluttered kitchen from Desiree Burns Interiors.

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  • 24 of 24

    Mix Dark and Light Finishes

    farmhouse corner cabinet ideas

    Mary Patton Design

    If you prefer a high-contrast look, pair jet black corner cabinetry with a white stone backsplash, like this space from Mary Patton Design. Open shelves flank the window to balance light and dark tones.

What should you store in a corner cabinet? 

Use a corner cabinet to store bulky cooking equipment or serving platters that you don’t use daily. Or fill them with pantry goods and extra kitchen supplies.

How do you measure a corner kitchen cabinet? 

Measure the floor-to-ceiling height in the corner where the cabinet will be placed. Determine the width of the two walls that will meet at the corner cabinet. Figure out how deep you want the cabinet to be from the wall to the front edge. And don’t forget: always measure twice for accuracy. 

What's the best way to maximize space in a kitchen cabinet?

Maximize vertical space by installing shelves or using risers. Install drawers or a pull-out mechanism for ease of use. Try a lazy Susan on the bottom shelf to make it easy to access smaller items such as condiments.