Corner Pantry Design Ideas - Storage and Style for Small Kitchens
If your tiny kitchen is bursting at the seams with pots, pans, appliances, and food items, it may be time to get creative with your storage solutions. One smart way to maximize every inch is transforming an unused corner into a fully-functioning pantry. With some savvy design choices and organizational tips, you can gain a ton of much-needed space perfect for stowing away kitchen essentials and display favorite accents.
From floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to open shelving, a corner pantry can be customized to suit your style and storage requirements. Let's explore some brilliant ideas to create the optimized layout for your corner.
Choosing Corner Pantry Cabinetry
Corner Cabinet Types
For starters, you'll want to select the right cabinetry configuration based on your kitchen layout and needs. A floor-to-ceiling pantry cabinet makes use of all available vertical real estate. For a compact floor plan, a base corner cabinet with interior organizers fits the bill. Or, consider an angled cabinet with a unique shape for some extra storage space in the corner.
Base cabinets typically come in a standard 36" width, but you can size up for a more spacious pantry zone. Aim high to enhance your storage - cabinets up to 96" high are available to maximize vertical storage in corners.
Pull-Out Shelves
No matter the cabinet type, look for models with pull-out shelves, roll-out trays, or slide racks. These features let you access items pushed to the back much more easily compared to fixed shelves.
For a kitchen pantry, adjustable rollout trays that extend fully are optimal so you can take advantage of every inch of your cabinet interior. Incorporate a range of widths and depths for specialized storage.
Lazy Susans
A lazy susan is a spinning tray or turntable inside a cabinet that makes items easily accessible. This smart organizer is perfect for installing in a corner base cabinet. Lazy susans come as two, three, or four tiered trays.
Look for models with smooth ball bearings for effortless opening and closing. Lazy susans can hold everything from spices and canned goods to dinnerware.
Drawers
Like shelves, drawers double your storage capacity. Opt for deep drawers to corral pots, pans and bakeware vertically - this prevents having to stack them precariously.
Divided drawers with adjustable compartments keep utensils, gadgets and food items neat. Drawers maximize unused space in the toe-kick area too.
Doors or Open Shelving
Will your corner pantry have doors or open shelving? Enclosed cabinets keep contents concealed and prevent dust buildup. For a blend of form and function, try glass-front doors to maintain visibility.
Open shelving gives you quick access and allows you to style appliances and accents. It's also easier to organize visible contents. You may opt to mix some open shelves with door cabinets.
Maximizing Vertical Storage Space
Tall Shelving Units
Besides filling the floor area, make use of vertical real estate too. Install tall, narrow shelving units that reach floor to ceiling. Skipping upper cabinets above the counter creates space to position a shelving unit in the corner.
Outfit it with slide-out shelves and bins appropriate for pantry items. This configuration makes the most of an unused void.
Ladder Shelving
Ladder-style shelving hits the vertical storage jackpot. Also called library ladders, these consist of a steep ladder rail with attached shelves or baskets. Items can be stored at varying heights for access.
Library ladders mounted in a kitchen corner maximize cubic footage. They have an industrial vibe perfect for some exposed storage and display in a rustic or farmhouse kitchen.
Vertical Dividers
Maximize vertical storage inside cabinets with full-height dividers perfect for narrow items. Wasting any leftover space between shelves is a missed opportunity. Insert vertical dividers to neatly organize everything from baking sheets and cutting boards to foil boxes and slender appliance boxes.
Open Corner Shelving Ideas
Bracket Shelving
Corner shelves are a budget-friendly way to add storage with minimal work. Floating corner shelves made of natural wood or metal brackets create an open focal point.
Add pops of color with painted brackets or wooden shelves. Style with rolled towels, cookbooks and decorative ceramic canisters. The simplistic look works with any decor.
Wine Rack Shelving
Wine racks aren't just for bottles - the rectangular metal grille design adapts perfectly for extra spice storage and display in a corner. The crisscross design allows visibility of small jars and tins.
For added flair, integrate LED lighting into wine rack shelves to beautifully illuminate glass jars and accentuate the metalwork.
Repurposed Ladder
A vintage wooden ladder arranged vertically in a kitchen corner adds rustic farmhouse charm while providing open storage. Hang mugs from the rungs or lean baking sheets against the side rails.
Paint or stain a salvaged library ladder to match your decor. The well-worn patina adds character. Stack baskets or crates on each rung to corral ingredients.
Corner Pantry Organization Tips
Once your corner pantry design is installed, it's time to optimize the space with some savvy organization solutions. Start by taking everything out and only putting back what you use often and need easy access to.
A labeling system using removable vinyl bins and shelves lets you quickly identify contents. Store like food items together - keep baking supplies on one shelf, oils and vinegars together in a caddy.
Reserve upper cabinets for appliances, servicing pieces and occasional use items. Pull-out shelves and lazy susans should hold everyday dishware and cooking ingredients you reach for a lot.
Clear storage bins are ideal for a visible corner pantry. Canister sets in matching materials and neutral colors create unity. Try to limit pattern mixing to maintain harmony.
Styling an Attractive Corner Pantry
Mix of Open and Closed Storage
The right blend of concealed cabinets and open shelving gives you both hidden storage and decorative display. Enclose upper cabinets with transparent glass and leave lowers open for an airier look.
Baskets on open shelves corral fruits and vegetables or cooking tools while showing them off. Closed cabinets allow you to stash away ugly but necessary items.
Coordinated Storage Containers
Clear glass and neutral colored canisters create visual consistency for a polished look. Woven baskets or ceramic crocks work for shelf styling as well. Just be sure to use cohesive colors and materials.
Mismatched jars and tins create a cluttered appearance. Aim for containers all in one color family or material for a curated corner.
Standout Accents
Make your corner pantry uniquely you with eye-catching accents. Use wallpaper, paint an accent wall or the back of open shelving an uplifting hue like coral or celery green.
Display your rustic antique kitchen ladder for an architectural element. Floating shelves can act as mini platforms for cherished ceramic pieces.
Compact Appliances
Tuck often used appliances like a toaster, blender, instant pot or microwave into your corner pantry to free up counter space. Pull small appliances in and out of base cabinets with ease.
Stack them vertically on adjustable shelves or in slide-out trays. Keeping them concealed reduces clutter in a small kitchen.
Ambient Lighting
Illumination is key in a corner pantry without natural lighting. Under-cabinet lighting strips provide task lighting for safe use. For a glow, install sconces or track lighting.
Accent strip lighting and toe-kick LEDs also create dramatic visual interest in a once neglected area. Proper lighting makes your pantry both functional and inviting.
By taking full advantage of corner real estate often overlooked in kitchen design, you can gain expansive storage capacity and display space. A customized layout with smart cabinetry and shelves tailored to your needs transforms dead space into a highly functional pantry.
Creative corner storage solutions help consolidate a disorganized kitchen so everything has a dedicated place. A blend of open and closed storage gives you options to hide away clutter or beautifully showcase cherished items.
Hopefully these corner pantry ideas have provided inspiration to design your own perfect layout optimized for your small kitchen needs and style. Reclaiming corner space is an easy weekend project that makes living with a tiny kitchen infinitely easier.