If you have a corner in your kitchen, you likely have a lazy susan cabinet.
On paper, it’s a brilliant invention designed to maximize every square inch of those hard-to-reach corners.
In reality, it can often become a dark, spinning abyss where lids disappear and heavy pots go to die.
You’ve landed here because you’re tired of hearing things clatter off the back every time you give it a spin.
It’s time to rethink your storage and you need lazy Susan cabinet organization ideas that actually work.
You’ve landed in the right place!
Here are some fresh ideas to help you organize your lazy susan cabinet and turn that corner into a .
Lazy Susan Cabinet Storage Ideas
The key to a successful lazy susan cabinet organization is weight distribution and grouping.
Since the items on the shelf rotate, you want things that are bulky enough to stay put but not so tall that they snag on the cabinet frame.
Tupperware and Plastic Storage Containers
Plastic food storage containers are a common culprit of kitchen clutter just because most people have a bunch of them.
Organizing Tupperware in your kitchen is a smart way to corral them.
And using a lazy susan corner cabinet is a perfect home for them.
They’re lightweight, so they won’t weigh down the rotating shelves.
And storing them in a lower kitchen cabinet keeps them accessible, but not taking up prime real estate that is better suited for daily use items.
Here’s how to organize Tupperware and food storage containers in a lazy susan cabinet:
Don’t nest the food storage containers.
Put the lids on all of the containers and stack them by size: larger and heavier containers on the bottom with lighter weight containers on top.
You can stack the containers as high as the cabinet frame will allow.
Do a fit check by turning the shelf to make sure there’s clearance all the way around.
To make sure that small containers don’t fall into dark recess of the back of the lazy susan cabinet, add a basket to the shelf to store them in.
Pots, Pans, and Lids
The lazy susan corner cabinet is a great home for your cookware, especially if you’re lacking other viable possibilities for pot and pan storage.
Place your heaviest Dutch ovens or cast-iron pans toward the center pole.
This provides stability and prevents the unit from becoming off-balance.
Don’t use a separate lid organizer for your pots and pans.
It’s really unnecessary since you save no space and add a step to getting the cookware you need out to make a meal.
Invert the lids on top of its pot or pan instead.
This gives a flat surface to stack small pots and pans, taking advantage of the vertical space in the cabinet.
Storing the lids on the pots also keeps dust and debris out of the pot, eliminating the need to wash the pot before using it.
You can also use the lazy susan cabinet to store large pots and pans that don’t fit elsewhere in your kitchen.
Don’t think of it as an all or nothing space.
It’s ok to split up your cookware set to use the overall storage space in your kitchen effectively.
Small Appliance Storage
Small appliances are some of the best items to store in a corner lazy susan cabinet.
Since they are used less frequently than a toaster but are awkwardly shaped or sometimes too heavy for high shelves, the bottom tier of a lazy susan is ideal.
Your blender, food processor, hand mixer, pressure cooker, waffle maker, or even a slow cooker are all ideal appliances to consider storing in the lazy susan cabinet.
Pro tip: Make sure the cords are tucked securely under or inside the appliance so they don’t get caught in the rotating mechanism.
Water Bottles
A lazy susan cabinet is the perfect home for water bottle storage!
The height of these cabinets means that the water bottles can stand upright, which allows you to take full advantage of the height.
If you have kids, adding a basket or bin to the space for the water bottles will help ensure they don’t tumble over when the shelf is enthusiastically spun!
Lazy Susan Organization: What Not to Store In the Corner Cabinet
A hill I’ll die on is that there are certain things that simply do not belong in a lazy susan cabinet.
One things is small items.
And by small, I mean this: if it’s small enough to fall off the edge and get lost behind the shelf, don’t put it there.
Another category is food.
There’s a common tendency to use the lazy susan cabinet to store food.
I don’t know where this started, but not one of my clients who’s brought me in to reorganize their kitchens have ever been happy with this storage solution!
The cabinet gets messy easily, it’s hard to find what you’re looking for, and cleaning up spills is a total pain in the butt.
So let’s avoid the hassle and find a different space in your kitchen to store food!
I promise there’s a better way and you won’t regret moving the foot out of this awkward cabinet.
Give one of the other lazy susan cabinet organization ideas a try and I bet you’ll love the change.
If you really don’t have an alternative and you want to use the lazy susan cabinet for food storage, here’s how to minimize the hassle:
- Line the shelves with a removable non-slip shelf liner to make it easy to wipe down when inevitable spills and messes occur.
- Add packets and small items to a bin or solid surface basket so they don’t get lost in the back of the cabinet.
- Store bottles of liquids in a bin or solid surface basket so that spills are contained and easily cleanable.
- Put larger items on the bottom shelf and smaller items on the top shelf to boost visibility of all.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lazy Susan Organization
How much weight can my lazy susan cabinet actually hold?
This depends on whether you have a standard lazy susan (which hangs from a center pole) or a “Super Susan” (which sits on a fixed shelf).
Most standard plastic or wooden units can handle 20–30 lbs per shelf, while heavy-duty metal or Super Susans can often support 50 lbs or more.
Always check for sagging.
If the shelf looks bowed, it’s time to move the heavy item elsewhere.
How do I stop items from falling off the back into the dead zone?
This is the number one complaint about lazy susan cabinets!
To prevent items from falling off the shelves, the solution is to store larger items on the shelves.
Their weight will help keep them from moving when the shelf is rotating.
To keep smaller items from falling off, use a small base to contain and control them when the shelf spins.
You can also add a non-slip shelf liner to keep things from sliding around.
Can I store spices on a lazy susan if I use a bin?
Yes.
I generally recommend avoiding storing food in a lazy susan cabinet, you can store small jars like spices if they are grouped inside a bin.
This keeps them from tipping over or getting lost in the back while still taking advantage of the rotating access.
What is the best way to clean a lazy susan?
Because they are in a corner, lazy susan cabinets tend to collect dust bunnies and crumbs in the back.
Once or twice a year, remove all items and use a vacuum hose attachment to reach the far corners.
Wipe the turntable with a damp cloth and mild soap.
If the mechanism is squeaking, a tiny drop of food-grade silicone lubricant on the center pole or bearings to make it spin like new again.
My lazy susan is “jumping” or sticking. How can I fix it?
Usually, this is a balance issue.
If all your heavy items are on one side, the unit will tilt and catch on the cabinet frame.
Try redistributing the weight so the heaviest pieces are near the center pole.
Also, check to see if a stray lid has fallen underneath the turntable and is jamming the rotation.
Over to You
With a little bit of strategy and the right organization ideas, lazy susan cabinet organization can go from the most frustrating part of your kitchen to your favorite storage feature!
Take an afternoon to clear it out, ditch the small spice jars and food, and give your Tupperware, water bottles, cookware or bulky appliances a new, spinning home.
Organization Resources You’ll Love
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