How to Organize a Lazy Susan Cabinet

Lazy Susan cabinets are such a smart way to maximize awkward corner cabinet space. But because of their shape, they can also be a challenge to organize.

With that said, don’t let that precious space go to waste! 

In this article, I’m sharing how to organize a Lazy Susan cabinet, ideas for what to store in a Lazy Susan, and how to retrofit an empty corner cabinet with a Lazy Susan.

How to Organize a Lazy Susan

The process of organizing a Lazy Susan is much like the process of organizing any other space in your house. Here are the steps.

Empty Existing Lazy Susan Cabinet

Always start an organizing project by clearing the space. This is a good time to vacuum and wipe down shelves so you have a clean, clear space to work with.

Be sure to take measurements of your Lazy Susan so you can invest in containers that are sized appropriately for your shelves.

Lastly, for fun, you might want to take a before and during picture while going through this process. Before and after pictures can be so satisfying!

Purge What You No Longer Use or Need

Once everything is removed from your Lazy Susan, it’s time to assess your inventory. Purge anything that is expired or has gone unused for over a year (even small appliances).

You might find that some items that were in your Lazy Susan cabinet actually belong elsewhere in your kitchen. 

Categorize the items you pull out to start mapping a plan for what types of things will go back in.

Determine the Best Use for the Cabinet

There are countless ways you can utilize Lazy Susan storage space. Some use their Lazy Susan for pantry storage, others for small appliances. 

But have you considered using your Lazy Susan cabinet to store other household items? Here are ideas for what you can organize in your Lazy Susan cabinet.

Cleaning Supplies

Because this is, in fact, a cleaning blog you are reading, the first category on my list is cleaning supplies.

You can use Lazy Susan shelves to store your green cleaning basics. Organize things like:

• Countertop spray
• Baking soda or powdered cleaner
• Large refill liquid soap containers
• Replacement scrub brushes and sponges
• Folded cleaning towels and microfiber cloths
• Container(s) for used and dirty cleaning cloths

And more! 

RELATED: Free Green Cleaning Guide

Pantry Items 

I like the idea of using your Lazy Susan for basic pantry ingredients. 

You can store decanted ingredients in glass pantry containers or use the hidden Lazy Susan cabinet to store the back stock of products or ingredients you purchase in bulk.

A few pantry items that I buy in bulk and would store in a Lazy Susan:

• Rice
• Oats
• Flour (all-purpose, whole wheat, and more)
• White Sugar
• Brown Sugar
• Honey

Baking Tools and Ingredients

In addition to the basic ingredients listed above, you can use your Lazy Susan to store specialty bakeware and ingredients.

• Cupcake liners
• Sprinkles
• Cookie cutters
• Royal icing squeeze bottles
• Piping bags and tips
• Candy molds
• Mixing bowls
• Bundt pan or other specialty bakeware

Food Storage

A Lazy Susan cabinet is a great place to store foods that do best in cool, dark storage compartments. 

I would invest in containers dedicated to either alliums (onions, garlic, shallots, etc.) or root vegetables (potatoes, beets, etc. – winter squash also keeps well in a pantry). 

Storing alliums and root veggies together in the same cabinet will only cause them to spoil more quickly, so pick one and run with it!

Kid Snacks and Containers

Do your kids like to eat shelf-stable or packaged snacks? Lazy Susan storage containers can be used to sort their favorites.

If you are trying to avoid plastic packaging, you can purchase snacks from grocery store bulk bins and decant them into refillable containers. 

Some bulk bin snacks that we love in our house:

• Crackers
• Nuts
• Dried fruits
• Trail mix
• Granola 

I would also store snackable fruits that don’t need to be refrigerated immediately.

• Clementines
• Apples
• Bananas

RELATED: Fruit Storage Ideas

Condiments

I have a husband who is passionate about his condiments. Few things bring him more joy than the opportunity to try a new condiment flavor. 

If you are also a fan of condiments, then perhaps you would appreciate a Lazy Susan dedicated to storing your favorites.

• Specialty oils
• Infused vinegars
• Spice mixes
• Specialty ketchups and mustards
• Pickles
• Chutneys
• Sauces

Some condiments need to be refrigerated after opening, but not all. Keep your opened condiments in one section and your back stock in a separate section so nothing goes to waste.

Supplements and Medication

Any Lazy Susan cabinet would work well for storing supplements and medication, but I especially like dedicating an upper corner cabinet to these items.

Use your Lazy Susan to store:

• Painkillers 
• Cold medications
• Vitamins
• Powders
• Supplements
• Essential oils

RELATED: How to Organize Medicine and Vitamins

Small Appliances

Single-use small appliances do not need to sit on your counter all day. 

Even small appliances that you use daily can live happily in a Lazy Susan cabinet. It’s the perfect way to eliminate countertop clutter! 

All it takes is a spin of the shelf for these appliances to be easily accessible.

Some examples of small appliances that can be organized in a Lazy Susan:

• Blender
• Food processor
• Small crock pot
• Kitchenaid attachments
• Toaster

Pots and Pans

If you’re stumped by where to store your pots and pans, consider organizing them in your Lazy Susan cabinet.

A good quality pot and pan organizer will enable you to easily stack smaller pans and pot lids on a lazy Lazy Susan shelf.

This storage solution works best when pots and pans aren’t overcrowded. Otherwise, it would be too easy to tip the stack of pans right over!

If you’re a person who feels compelled to fill every inch of cabinet space, then maybe store the pots and pans in another cabinet and fill your Lazy Susan with a different category instead.

RELATED: Best Pot Lid Holders and Organizers

Serving Bowls and Vases

If you like decorating and entertaining, you might have an extensive collection of serving bowls and vases that you swap out regularly.

You can store these items and table decor like folded cloth napkins and napkin rings in your Lazy Susan cabinet. 

Lazy Susan Cabinet Organizers

Once you determine the items you plan to store in your Lazy Susan cabinet, you can consider investing in containers that will help you stay organized.

Plastic Wedge Containers

Plastic containers are a simple way to create category zones within your Lazy Susan cabinet. 

One of the best ways to create and maintain an organized system is to give every object a definitive “home.”

Containers like these do this while maximizing space on a circular Lazy Susan shelf.

Tiered Spice Rack Organizer Wedge

A tiered spice rack like this one is the perfect place to store and display your spice jars.

But you don’t have to limit yourself to just spices. This spice rack is also a great place to store things like your essential oil collection, medications, and more.

Because a Lazy Susan cabinet is dark once closed, it’s a great place for storing products that degrade when exposed to sunlight (like essential oils). 

Plastic-Free Lazy Susan Organizer

If you’re trying to avoid excess or unnecessary plastic products in your home (such a challenge!), opt for wire baskets.

These are steel wire woven baskets that are perfect for a 24″ Lazy Susan. 

Wire baskets are plastic-free, lightweight, and easy to organize. 

Retrofit a Lazy Susan in a Corner Cabinet

After reading this article, you might be looking at all of the corner cabinets in your home and considering ways to retrofit a Lazy Susan inside. 

Here are a few products and ideas for retrofitting a Lazy Susan inside a corner cabinet.

Kidney Shaped Corner Cabinet Shelf

Swing-Out Corner Cabinet Organizer

I have a deep corner cabinet that is poorly utilized. A system like this would be perfect in my situation. 

Two-Tier Lazy Susan in Empty Cabinet

Not sure if you’re ready for a built-in project? Consider a free-standing Lazy Susan.

This tiered Lazy Susan is perfect if your corner cabinet has tall shelves. I use one to organize medicine and vitamin bottles in my kitchen. 

This would also work well for spice organization or other small items.

Add Turntables to Empty Corner Cabinet

If your corner cabinet already has shelves installed, you can simply place a turntable on each shelf to store anything you wish.

I love using turntables all around my house! I have some in my deep pantry cabinets to store decanted snacks and baking ingredients. I have used turntables in my fridge to contain condiments, beverages, or kids’ snacks. 

I have this acacia wood turntable beside my stove where I keep salt, pepper, and a crock with my spoons and spatulas. And I have also used turntables in my kids’ play area to organize their art supplies.

The use cases for turntables feel endless, and they are sold in a WIDE variety of materials and sizes.

Here are some examples of turntables added to corner kitchen cabinets:

Final Thoughts on Organizing a Lazy Susan Cabinet

I hope that after reading this you’re feeling inspired to organize your Lazy Susan cabinet (or add one to a corner cabinet!).

Lazy Susans are such a great way to make use of corner cabinet space. If you’re in the mood to organize other areas of your kitchen, then here are a few more articles to enjoy:

• Best Glass Pantry Jars
• Best Spice Jars
• Best Pot Lid Holders
• How to Organize Medicine and Vitamins