Uncovering the Hidden Potential of Blind Corner Cabinets

If you’re like many homeowners, you’ve probably experienced the frustration of trying to access items stored in a blind corner cabinet. These cabinets, which are typically located in the corners of kitchen cabinets, are notorious for being difficult to use effectively. However, with a little bit of creativity and some clever design solutions, you can unlock the hidden potential of your blind corner cabinets and make the most of this often-overlooked space.

What are Blind Corner Cabinets?

Blind corner cabinets are cabinets that are located in the corners of kitchen cabinets. They are called “blind” because they are typically hidden from view, making them difficult to access and use effectively. These cabinets can be frustrating for homeowners because they are often awkward to use and can waste valuable storage space.

Their Common Problems

There are several common problems associated with blind corner cabinets. For one, they can be difficult to access, making it hard to reach items stored in the back of the cabinet. Additionally, because these cabinets are often hidden from view, it can be easy to forget what is stored inside them. This can lead to clutter and disorganization, as items are simply stuffed into the cabinet without any rhyme or reason.

Why Uncovering their Hidden Potential is Important

Despite their challenges, blind corner cabinets can actually be a great source of storage space in your kitchen. By uncovering their hidden potential, you can make the most of this often-overlooked space and optimize your kitchen storage and functionality. With the right design solutions and organizational tools, you can transform your blind corner cabinets into a functional and efficient storage area.

Design Solutions

There are several design solutions that you can use to make the most of your blind corner cabinets. These include:

Pull-Out Shelves

Pull-out shelves are a great way to make use of the space in your blind corner cabinets. These shelves can be installed on rollers, making it easy to access items stored in the back of the cabinet. They also provide additional storage space, helping to maximize the use of the cabinet.

Swivel Trays

Swivel trays are another great option for blind corner cabinets. These trays can be installed on a pole and swivel out when you need to access items stored in the back of the cabinet. They are a great way to make use of the space in your blind corner cabinets while still providing easy access to your items.

Lazy Susans

Lazy susans are a classic organizational tool that can work wonders in a blind corner cabinet. These rotating shelves make it easy to access items stored in the back of the cabinet, and they can be easily installed in your existing cabinet. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, making it easy to find one that fits your needs.

Corner Drawers

Corner drawers are a more advanced option, but they can provide a lot of additional storage space in your blind corner cabinets. These drawers pull out from the corner of the cabinet, providing easy access to your items. They can be custom-built to fit your specific space and needs.

Custom Solutions

If none of these options work for you, there are also custom solutions available. A professional kitchen designer can help you come up with a custom solution that meets your specific needs and works with your existing space.

Organizing Tips

Once you’ve installed your new design solutions, it’s important to organize your blind corner cabinets effectively. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Categorize and Prioritize Items

The first step in organizing your blind corner cabinets is to categorize and prioritize your items. Group similar items together, and prioritize the items that you use most frequently. This will make it easier to find what you need and keep your cabinets organized.

Use Containers and Dividers

Containers and dividers can be a great way to keep your items organized within your blind corner cabinets. Use baskets or bins to group items together, and use dividers to keep items from shifting around in the cabinet.

Label Everything

Labeling is an important part of organizing your blind corner cabinets. Use labels to identify what is stored in each container or drawer, making it easy to find what you need quickly.

Regularly Declutter and Reorganize

Finally, it’s important to regularly declutter and reorganize your blind corner cabinets. Go through your items every few months and get rid of anything that you no longer need or use. This will help keep your cabinets organized and make the most of your storage space.

DIY Projects

If you’re feeling ambitious, there are several DIY projects that you can undertake to make the most of your blind corner cabinets. These include:

Building Pull-Out Shelves and Trays

If you’re handy with tools, you can build your own pull-out shelves and trays for your blind corner cabinets. There are several tutorials available online that can walk you through the process step-by-step.

Installing Lazy Susans and Corner Drawers

If you’re looking for a more advanced DIY project, you can also install your own lazy susans or corner drawers. Again, there are plenty of tutorials available online to help you through the process.

Repurposing Household Items as Organizing Tools

Finally, you can also repurpose household items as organizing tools for your blind corner cabinets. For example, you can use tension rods to create dividers in your cabinets, or use magazine holders to store cutting boards or baking sheets.

Conclusion

Blind corner cabinets may seem like a lost cause, but with a little bit of creativity and some clever design solutions, you can transform them into a functional and efficient storage area. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this post, you can make the most of your blind corner cabinets and maximize your kitchen storage and functionality.

Mondays with Mike…9-12-2022 Edition 31

Matching Sinks, Faucets and Hardware Help to Create the Bathroom of Your Dreams

As is typical for me, I have to rave about the gray tones on display here in this seemingly mirror-less bathroom. I’ve often contemplated replacing my own main floor bathroom’s mirror. You see, it extends all the way down to a level in line with the top of our short faucet fixture, which means without great effort to prevent it, hand washing results in an abundance of water splashing up onto the mirror. It’s such an annoying problem that I sometimes just walk a few step over into the kitchen to wash/dry my hands.

I won’t go too deep here today, but just know that these stunning pulls and matching series knobs are available for purchase at www.WoodworkerExpress.com. Plus, if you want a different look, we’ve got color/finish variety for days, and that’s always a good thing. So, you and I both are disappointed that we don’t carry the missing mirror for this particular bathroom application, but we DO carry an assortment of closet mirrors destined to take your bedroom closet chic to the next level. I realize that is all exciting news, but in your excitement be sure you don’t push past these brilliant acrylic sinks and their accompanying faucets. They complement each other so well while also being essential to the reason this room was walked into to begin with.

Behind the gray cabinet façade, I speculate these cabinets and drawers are mounted with task-specific organizers. Of course, we stock these with a multitude of flexible options…so much so that you’d think they were custom-designed. Care to learn more? Call a www.WoodworkerExpress.com advisor toll-free at:  855-993-4968

Gray themed bathroom with silver faucets and hardware
Photo Courtesy of Houzz

Mondays with Mike…8-29-2022 Edition 29

Create A Closet So Organized that No Doors are Necessary!

No door needed here for this multi-function utility closet, for if there were I could sincerely recommend a barn door in its place. I note ‘multi-function’ to describe this due to the fact that painting supplies (and paint!) are quite close to the ironing supplies, which might only be steps away from the eye care products and toothpaste. While at it, I might also bring the toilet paper down to a lower level…

As I often say in these parts, www.WoodworkerExpress.com carries a handful, if not more of the products that you see here in this utility closet. If you think I’m exaggerating, then take a look at the HandiSOLUTIONS® Wall Panel that is accessorized with baskets to hold cleaning supplies and a mop + paper towels. We don’t sell the mop (…we do sell brooms!), but all the accessories holding baskets that attach to this wall panel we’ve got! The chrome Rev-A-Shelf closet baskets stowed in the lower right bays are in stock at the moment…they’re also available in oil rubbed bronze and satin nickel finishes.

Lucky for me, as you see, I’m prepared…cleanup in Aisle 3!

Cleaning supplies closet organized with slat wall and pull-out baskets
Photo Courtesy of Houzz

Mondays with Mike…8-8-2022 Edition 26

‘A Kind of Blue’ is/was a classic album released in 1959 by legendary trumpeter and jazz icon, Miles Davis. The uniquely colored kitchen cabinets in front of us, could absolutely be described as featuring ‘a kind of blue’ motif. I’m not trying to equate Miles’ musical ethos to be in harmony with this particular kitchen design, but then again: Why not?

Creative freedom in the arts as well as the design world are imperative to self-expression, so why not just go for those designs that you’re dreaming of. What I’m suggesting is simply: Embrace the Bold!

Now there was a time within the last dozen years or so where I had a very navy blue kitchen . But I’ve since moved on from that to a more grayish feel. Although focused at the moment on the big, bright blue kitchen cabinets, the utensils and cookware that we rely on daily generally don’t sit on top of the counters as something to simply look at. That’s what the cabinets are for and as we see here, Base Cabinet Fillers can (and should) be a part of the storage and organizational mindset when we’re designing a kitchen. Also note the muted appeal of the stark black cabinet hardware against the plain birch cabinets. This allows the fantastic blue color to pop!

And this one makes no excuses for being bold and cartoonish in its approach…and I, for one, love it! If you are in this category as well, then head on over to check out these great Base Cabinet Fillers from Rev-A-Shelf and other great manufacturers at: www.WoodworkerExpress.com.

Harkening back to the beginning of this column, please feel free to investigate ‘A Kind of Blue’, which is considered by many to be one of THE greatest jazz records ever recorded. “Not everything has to be shiny and new, so be sure to treasure the niceties in life, some of which already exist.

Bold blue cabinets create a big design statement, but the organizers tell the real story
Photo Courtesy of Houzz

Mondays with Mike…8-1-2022 Edition 25

There’s Gold in That Thar Kitchen !

Ah, yes… the early stages of the search to find that elusive kitchen accessory that just doesn’t have a real home. This young chef-in-training it seems is finding out the hard way that organization is the key to nearly everything in life going smoothly…well, in the kitchen anyway. As we see here, she’s searching shoulder deep within these drawers, which we can deduce are clearly in need of some organizational inserts. For if they were equipped already, there would likely be no search, let alone a shoulder deep one. Speaking of search, www.WoodworkerExpress.com is the answer to where we find these goods, and as such, would be option 1, 2 and 3 for satisfying our kitchen design needs! Like these floating shelves, for example: responsible entirely for supporting the spice offerings available to all who enter and eat.

I’ve mentioned it before, not only because it’s rad, but because it’s bold and who doesn’t like bold from time to time…if not all the time? I’m talking about the intentional gold hardware choices on display here. Those opulent gold pulls could quite likely be causing our junior chef to have to shield her eyes from the sheen. I’ve also got a need to mention this gold-trimmed king-sized range hood that looks aesthetically like it could’ve been in service on the Titanic! It’s surely an amazing hood and yet another item that we can help you spec. out when the time comes for you to purchase your own.

There’s gold in that ‘thar kitchen!

Technically, it’s true…just look at the gold pull near the sink, the gold knob under the country sink, the golden door hinges…and for Pete’ sake: even the floor grate is golden! These folks have brought forth the bold and as a result, this kitchen area is fabulous. The inquisitive eye will find more to like in this small photo and realize that it can likely be found in spades at: www.WoodworkerExpress.com.

Kitchen with bold gold accents

Mondays with Mike…5-23-2022 Edition Seventeen

A man cave for todays family

This week we’re looking at not a kitchen, but rather a sports-themed party room, ostensibly sometimes referred to as a finished basement or the ULTIMATE man cave. So batten down the hatches, Matey’s while we walk the underground plank during this somehow decidedly pirate-tinged version of ‘Mondays with Mike’.

Really, this is a ‘Family Cave’ if ever there was. Check out the far right ‘table for two’. You’d be forgiven for thinking that this particular table might get ‘waited on’ by staff. It reminds me of one of those cocktail tables where folks (read: couples) who have things they need to get of their chests sit, regardless of the ‘sporting event of the century’ currently being broadcast mere feet away.

If you look closely, you can surely connect the dots to figure out the team-centric theme they chose here. Sports fan or not, this is one rock and roll-ready bar. topped with fabulous red laminate. Just look at those intelligently placed overhead right and left speakers. You might’ve thought you were in a home theater here….look a bit closer towards the TV, you kind of are!

Dimmable LED puck lighting utilized here contributes greatly to setting the mood and is tunable for that subdued or festive lighting hue. Hardware-wise, the 2 varieties of pulls chosen for these cabinets speak of a modern design aesthetic combined with a heavy duty industrial feel, leaving a bit more surface area for those sweet finishes to be seen…and grasped! I’ve said it before, but if you could see behind these cabinet doors and drawers, you’d witness an unbelievable assortment of specialized organizers from Rev-A-Shelf + other top-shelf manufacturers (you see what I did there?). These products are available in endless variations, materials, finishes, etc. at www.WoodworkerExpress.com.

Once again this week, I sincerely appreciate your time and attention, but it’s indeed time to skedaddle…as you well know, those buccaneers give no quarter.

A red themed "Family" man cave designed to appeal to both adults and children
Photo courtesy of Rev-A-Shelf

Mondays with Mike…3-14-2022 Edition Seven

Achieve Kitchen Nirvana with New Organizers and Decorative Hardware

Mondays with Mike header

We’re just past two months into a new year and that makes it a great time to kick things off with a bang from a decorative standpoint. So, let’s start off with a refresher: www.WoodworkerExpress.com is THE place to shop for achieving overall Kitchen Nirvana! Our fantastic selection and amazingly large inventory of the greatest kitchen organizers and decorative hardware brands and products available is second to none.

Shall we analyze this photo? We’re definitely onboard here with this roll-out pantry organizer. If you want to talk about utilizing your storage space to the fullest, then this is ground zero for sure! You can ‘page through’ the shelves holding your dry goods like it’s an old Sears catalog….am I dating myself here? I mean, really, when you combine the shelving racks attached to the back of the doors along with the rotating carousel within, you are REALLY maximizing your storage space. I wouldn’t be surprised if having this piece installed also helps increase the home’s value…so nice!

Perched atop all of this and throughout the kitchen, we also see snow white cabinets…all perfectly outfitted with vertically-oriented satin nickel appliance pulls for a Class A look. Combine that with intra-cabinet LED lighting and BANG, you’ve got an amazing looking kitchen. This and all kitchens are the sum of its parts and that includes: organizers, fasteners, finishes, hardware, and so on….all of which are found at: www.WoodworkerExpress.com.

Pantry pullouts kitchen organizers and decorative hardware help this kitchen achieve "Kitchen Nirvana"

Photo courtesy of www.Houzz.com...thank you!

Mondays with Mike…3-7-2022 Edition Six

Closet Organization Accessories Are A Hit for Keeping A Clean Closet

Mondays with Mike header

Who out there wears shirts? What about pants? These are rhetorical questions, of course… or are they? On display here is a closet whose storage and organization scheme has been well thought out and outfitted appropriately with great closet organization accessories. Were this my own closet on display, I’d have to do some significant clothes shopping to be able to fully utilize all of the organizational capabilities we see here.

Admittedly, when I’m not wearing a Woodworker Express shirt full-time (see header photo above), I’m likely wearing a garment adorned with the logo of a sports team or a heavy rock band. These aren’t really what I’d consider “closet accessory worthy”…at least when compared to these considerably dressier work shirts and slacks shown in the picture. I think I might be in the minority here when it comes to being a ‘dressy’ dresser, of which I am NOT, but the closet organization accessories for sure are a hit and you can find them all for sale at www.WoodworkerExpress.com.


On display here: Closet tubing in a variety of finishes to ensure your ability to match things up in a very subtle or even fantastically creative way. The retractable Tie and Belt Rack you’ll notice, further checks off the ‘specialized closet organization accessories’ box in a very satisfying way. A fabulously smooth and quiet protraction/retraction movement makes this an item no closet should be without…whether you are a fancy dresser, or not!

See you next week…in the meantime: shop www.WoodworkerExpress.com, your best source for closet organization, cabinet hardware and woodworking needs.

A neat and organized closet using closet organization accessories from Woodworker Express
Photo Courtesy of Rev-A-Shelf Closet

Awesome Ways To Add Pull-Out Storage

Image of cabinet with multi-color bottom mount trash and recycling pull-out
Rev-A-Shelf Triple 25 Quart Bottom Mount Recycling Center (SKU #11229909)

Poor design or a lack of storage leads to cabinets and drawers shoved full of unorganized items, and that makes cooking in the kitchen less than desirable. Let’s discuss some awesome ways to add pull-out storage to what already exists so you can start making your kitchen work for you.

Trash and Recycling

There simply is no way to make trash and recycling look attractive, but pull-out storage can help hide it. Trash pull-outs are mounted one of four ways: mounted to the bottom of a cabinet and slide out when needed, top mounted with slides and drop-in waste bins, rotating lazy susan style mounts for corner cabinets, and door mounts that pivot out when a cabinet door is opened. They can be purchased with one, two, or even three properly fitting waste cans with one for kitchen waste and the others for dividing your recyclables.

Pots and Pans

Let’s face it—no one is sure how to handle the storage dilemma of pots and pans. They are big, bulky, and come in too many odd shapes. There are several answers to this problem?

Pull-out baskets designed specifically for things like pots, pans, and all those mix-and-match plastic containers. Yes, you can even get those under control. The great thing about pull-out baskets is that they are often preassembled, making them easy to install.

Base Cabinet Cookware organizer pull-outs are the Cadillac of organizers. Mount the organizers in the bottom of a cabinet and slide everything out all at once. These organizers include wire dividers to keep all of your pots and pans separated.

And, new to the market are top-mount slider pot and pan organizers. A customizable hook rack system is mounted to the inside top of your cabinets. Hang your pots and pans on the hooks and slide them all out on the track when you need them.

You could have your pots and pans organized by dinner time tonight.

Under the Sink

This has to be the scariest cabinet in every home. With pipes from the drain, garbage disposals, and a few unidentified objects we dare not touch, storage is limited to a few odds and ends.

For added storage in this area, try door-mounted storage for items such as cutting boards, or opt for pull-out caddies that are designed with a low frame to avoid the snakes of piping and tubes under the sink.

Keep the items you use frequently in these caddies, such as dish soap, sponges, and cleaning supplies. This way, you can easily pull out the caddy whenever you need them.

Hide Appliances

Additional counter space is a close runner-up after the desire for more storage. You can give yourself that extra space using an appliance lift. A heavy duty appliance lift pulls up and out of a cabinet, holding a small appliance such as a mixer, then smoothly lowers and goes back into the cabinet when its job is done.

Now, you can impress your family with homemade baked goods and enjoy an uncluttered counter at the same time.

Wine

Pots, pans, and the like are important in the kitchen, but are they as important as wine? Probably not. Wall hanging wine racks take up wall space, and countertop racks use precious working space. Enter the pull-out wine storage rack.

These fabulous racks attach inside a cabinet and multiple shelf racks for wine. Each one moves in and out individually, allowing easy access to your favorite reds, whites, and rosés. An added benefit is the wine is now stored in a dark place, which ideal to keep your precious wine inventory out of the light, possibly making pull-out wine racks one of the most awesome ways to add pull-out storage.

Woodworker Express offers kitchen base cabinet pull-outs and many other cabinet and kitchen storage improvement options. Let us know what your storage concerns are, and we will help you find the best solution.

A Guide To Effectively Organizing Your Kitchen

Image of organized kitchen drawers

Spring cleaning is right around the corner, but you don’t have to wait until spring to organize your kitchen! Any day is a great day to start creating a kitchen that is easy and fun to work in. This guide to effectively organizing your kitchen will help you get started with simple ideas that will get your creative juices flowing and your kitchen feeling like new!

Clean It All Out

It’s not a lot of fun, but cleaning out all the cabinets, drawers, and pantry shelves is the best way to see what you have, what you can get rid of, and what you need to keep. Once everything is empty and you have gone through what can be ditched, give the cabinets, shelving, and drawers a good cleaning. If you are going through the trouble of organizing, you might as well have a clean slate.

Once you have cleaned everything out, you can start making a list of which areas need better organization. As you think about it, start considering what you can do to make that organization work.

Search for Helpful Organizers

You can begin by looking around your house for containers, such as small and medium plastic boxes or baskets, to see if they can fit into your organizing solution. To get the most out of organizing, you might also want to consider adding some things to cabinets and drawers to help you stay organized. Things such as a base cabinet pullout organizer are helpful in keeping cabinets tidy. You can also use small drawer organizers to keep small items separate.

The options are endless when it comes to finding what you need to make your kitchen work better for you. You can install shelving, drawer inserts, and pullouts to instantly improve your organization.

Everything Has a Place

Just like your mother used to say: put things back where they belong! Once you spend the time and money to organize your kitchen, don’t let it go back to how it was! It is much easier to put everything back in its place rather than letting it spin out of control again and having to start all over. For example, if you organize your spices alphabetically, then by all means, put the cinnamon back on the “C” shelf.

The kitchen is the heart of the home. Make the heart function at its best by following our guide to effectively organizing your kitchen. Woodworker Express is here to help you along the way.