Spice Up Your Kitchen Counter Corner with These Clever Trays
Kitchen corners tend to collect clutter. That dead space ends up piled with mail, kids' artwork, receipts, and random junk that has nowhere else to go. Meanwhile, cabinets crammed full of dishes and gadgets make it a daily battle to find what you need while cooking. If this familiar scene describes your kitchen, it's time to reclaim that wasted corner real estate with a simple and affordable storage solution - the corner tray.
Corner trays of all styles can quickly corral counter clutter while creating accessible storage for kitchen essentials. Read on to discover how these multitasking helpers can maximize your space, simplify organization, and add style to your countertops.
Maximize Wasted Space with a Corner Tray
Kitchen corners tend to be awkward, empty voids. While the rest of your counter houses appliances and meal prep zones, the corner just collects dust. Counter-height corner trays are purpose-built to take advantage of this unused area.
These clever solutions lift your small kitchen organization to new heights - literally. Corner trays effectively introduce extra tiers of storage while freeing up your flat counter space. Bins, cups, and shelves multiply your corner's storage capacity. You can neatly corral all those odds and ends that would otherwise clutter prime real estate.
Keep Items Handy with a Corner Tray
One of the best perks of a corner tray is keeping necessities right at your fingertips. No more digging through jam-packed cabinets or drawers searching for spices, towels, or tools. Everything stored in your corner tray remains visible and within arm's reach.
Position frequently used cooking staples like oils, spices, utensils, or dish soap on your tray. When prepping meals or washing dishes, you can quickly grab items without breaking your stride or your focus.
An Easy and Affordable Storage Upgrade
Compared to permanent built-ins, corner trays provide an easy and budget-friendly way to add organization. The simple standalone design means no involved installation - just place on your existing counter. Trays also easily lift and move as needed to accommodate shifting storage needs.
With models ranging from minimalist metal racks to stacked wood shelving and everything in between, you can find corner trays suited to any price point or style. Even DIY a custom tray tailored to your space. Whatever you choose, embrace the possibilities of this subtle but impactful kitchen upgrade.
Choosing the Best Corner Tray for Your Space
Ready to test out a corner tray? Start by taking some measurements and considering which features best suit your needs.
Size Matters
First, measure the depth and width of your available corner area. Look for trays sized to fit, but don't be afraid to go slightly larger - a bit of overhang only increases storage capacity. Multi-tiered trays with shelves or lift-out bins make the most of vertical real estate. Just ensure upper tiers won't interfere with cabinet doors.
Material and Construction
Corner trays come in a range of durable materials like metal, wood, plastic, or acrylic. Wood and metal make attractive, high-end options able to bear more weight. Acrylic or plastic trays work well for lightweight items and are easy to wipe clean.
See what added features may help organize your space. Some trays incorporate lift-out bins, racks to hold bottles, or built-in paper towel holders. Non-slip feet help keep your tray stable.
Prime Corner Tray Placement
Now for the fun part - deciding where to install your tray for maximum benefit. Here are some of the best spots to declarations that previously chaotic corner.
Near the Kitchen Sink
This primo prep zone tends to attract mess. Sponges, brushes, scrubbers, and soaps pile up by the faucet. A corner tray neatly corrals these cleaning essentials by the sink so they don't spread onto the counter.
Position your tray near the faucet for easy access when washing dishes. Store dish soap, brushes, and sponges on the top shelf within arm's reach. Use lower shelves for drying dish racks or scrubby pads.
Next to the Stove
When cooking, you don't want to race across the kitchen hunting for a tool or ingredient. Locate your tray right next to the stove or prep area to keep must-have items at your fingertips.
Stash olive oil, spices, cooking utensils, timers, and pot holders on your tray. You can seamlessly season dishes or grab hot pans without missing a beat or leaving your work zone.
Near Your Coffee/Microwave Station
For those who can't function without caffeine, use a corner tray to organize your coffee or tea station. Store mugs, sweeteners, pods, and a mini coffee maker on the shelves. Top it with a paper towel holder and you're ready for any spills!
If your microwave sits in the corner, put a tray nearby to hold microwavable foods, from snacks to Easy Mac cups. You can quickly heat them up without searching the pantry.
Creative Ways to Use Your New Corner Tray
Once you find corner tray real estate on your counters, it's time to start filling it with purpose and style. Here are some clever ideas for stocking your new storage setup.
Organize Spices and Herbs
Is your spice cabinet bursting with dusty, disorganized bottles? Give those seasonings new life in your corner tray. Stand spice containers upright so labels are visible at a glance. Place everyday herbs like salt, pepper, and oregano in the front row for easy grabbing.
Corral Fruits and Veggies
Produce can quickly overtake a kitchen. Store overflow fruits and vegetables in your corner tray to free up precious fridge space. Place bananas on a tray to ripen out of the way but still visible. You'll never miss ripe avocados buried behind leftovers again.
Hold Essential Kitchen Tools
Garlic presses, pizza cutters, whisks - kitchen drawers crammed with gadgets can turn into jumbled messes. Your corner tray offers new gadget real estate. Keep often-used tools easily accessible on shelves instead of buried in that cluttered drawer.
Stage Serving Dishes
That bottom corner tray shelf becomes the perfect spot to store and subtly display your prettiest serving platters, bowls, or drinkware. You can grab what you need to easily set a dinner party table or just an everyday place setting.
Entertain Wine and Glassware
Show off your best bottles and glassware with specialized corner trays. Some designs incorporate wine glass racks or towel bars to elegantly display and store barware. Guests will swoon over your classy wine corner when entertaining.
Manage Paper Clutter
Incoming mail, schoolwork, art projects - paper piles breed fast in kitchens. Contain the mess to one spot with an upright file sorter or paper storage bins placed on shelves. Neatly file away bills, to-dos, and memoirs without the clutter.
Charge Devices
In our digital world, charging cords snake across counters leaving little room for anything else. Take back space by mounting power strips under a corner tray and running cords up the back. Keep devices juiced and accessible yet out of the way.
Style Your New Fave Kitchen Storage Solution
With your corner tray installed and loaded with necessities, it's time for the fun finishing touches. Get creative with ways to work this practical storage piece into your kitchen's style.
Mix and match tray materials like wood, metal and acrylic for an eclectic look. Incorporate decor like plants, ceramic pulls, or pretty containers to dress it up. Change out items stored by season - glassware for summer, mugs for fall. The possibilities are endless for this do-it-all kitchen helper.
Hopefully now you see the enormous potential of overlooked kitchen corners. The simple addition of a countertop corner tray both amplifies your organization and storage while adding style. Maximize every inch and end frustrating rummaging with this accessible and affordable solution.
Don't let chaotic corners and cluttered cabinets make cooking a daily headache. Browse the many corner tray options to find the perfect fit, then embrace getting creative with your new storage space. You'll gain both organization and style with this game-changing kitchen upgrade.