Planning and Design
Corner cabinets are a smart choice for maximizing storage in your kitchen. They utilize often-wasted space in the corner and provide ample room for your dishes, cookware, or other kitchen essentials.
Measuring the Corner Space
Before you start building your corner cabinet, it’s crucial to accurately measure the space. This ensures your cabinet fits perfectly and avoids any potential issues during installation. Here’s how to measure:
1. Determine the corner’s dimensions: Measure the width and depth of the corner space from wall to wall.
2. Consider the wall’s thickness: Account for the thickness of the walls when measuring.
3. Check for obstructions: Look for any pipes, electrical outlets, or other obstructions that might affect the cabinet’s placement.
4. Measure twice, cut once: It’s always better to double-check your measurements to ensure accuracy.
Designing the Corner Cabinet Layout
Once you have the measurements, you can start designing your corner cabinet layout. This involves determining the size, shape, and features of the cabinet.
1. Consider the cabinet’s purpose: Determine what you plan to store in the cabinet, which will influence its size and internal configuration.
2. Choose a cabinet style: There are various styles of corner cabinets, such as L-shaped, lazy Susan, or carousel. Each style offers unique advantages.
3. Plan the internal shelves and drawers: Design the number and placement of shelves and drawers to accommodate your storage needs.
4. Factor in the door style: Choose a door style that complements your kitchen’s aesthetic and offers easy access to the cabinet’s contents.
Choosing Materials and Hardware
The materials and hardware you choose will impact the durability, functionality, and appearance of your corner cabinet.
1. Cabinet materials: Consider using plywood, MDF, or solid wood for the cabinet’s construction. Each material offers different strengths and characteristics.
2. Door and drawer fronts: Choose a material that matches the cabinet’s overall design and complements your kitchen’s aesthetic.
3. Hardware: Select hinges, drawer slides, and handles that are sturdy and easy to use.
Corner Cabinet Styles
The following table showcases common corner cabinet styles and their advantages:
| Style | Advantages |
|—|—|
| L-shaped | Maximizes corner space, provides ample storage, and allows easy access to items. |
| Lazy Susan | Provides easy access to items in the back of the cabinet, ideal for storing frequently used items. |
| Carousel | Offers a rotating platform for easy access to items, ideal for storing spices, jars, or small items. |
Construction and Assembly: How To Build A Kitchen Wall Corner Cabinet
Now that you have a detailed plan for your corner cabinet, it’s time to get your hands dirty and start building! This section will guide you through the process of constructing the cabinet frame, attaching shelves, doors, and drawers, and installing hinges and other hardware.
Building the Cabinet Frame
The cabinet frame is the foundation of your corner cabinet. You can build it using various materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
- Plywood: A strong and versatile material that is readily available in various thicknesses. It’s ideal for cabinet frames due to its stability and ability to withstand weight. Plywood is also relatively inexpensive, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Medium-density fiberboard (MDF): This material is smooth and easy to work with, making it a good choice for cabinet frames that require a finished look. However, MDF is not as strong as plywood and can be prone to chipping.
- Solid wood: If you’re looking for a durable and elegant cabinet frame, solid wood is an excellent choice. However, it is more expensive than plywood or MDF and requires more expertise to work with.
Regardless of the material you choose, the basic construction process remains the same.
- Cut the pieces: Use a saw to cut the wood pieces to the dimensions you determined in your plan. Ensure accurate measurements to ensure the frame fits perfectly in your kitchen corner.
- Assemble the frame: Use wood glue and screws to join the pieces together, forming a rectangular frame. Use a level to ensure the frame is square and plumb.
- Reinforce the frame: Add corner braces or blocks to strengthen the frame and prevent warping over time.
Attaching Shelves
Once the frame is built, you can add shelves to create storage space within your corner cabinet.
- Determine shelf placement: Decide on the height and spacing of your shelves, considering the items you plan to store.
- Cut shelf boards: Use a saw to cut the shelf boards to the desired length and width. Ensure they fit snugly within the cabinet frame.
- Attach shelves: Use shelf supports, brackets, or screws to securely attach the shelves to the cabinet frame. Make sure the shelves are level and stable.
Attaching Doors and Drawers
Adding doors and drawers to your corner cabinet enhances its functionality and aesthetics.
- Choose doors and drawers: Select the style, size, and material of your doors and drawers based on your design preferences and the overall look of your kitchen.
- Cut door and drawer fronts: Use a saw to cut the door and drawer fronts to the appropriate dimensions. Ensure they fit snugly within the cabinet frame.
- Attach door and drawer fronts: Use wood glue and screws to attach the door and drawer fronts to the cabinet frame. Ensure the doors and drawers open and close smoothly.
Installing Hinges and Other Hardware
Hinges are essential for attaching doors to the cabinet frame, while other hardware like handles, knobs, and drawer slides ensure smooth operation.
- Choose hinges: Select hinges that are appropriate for the weight and size of your doors.
- Install hinges: Use a drill to create pilot holes for the hinge screws. Then, attach the hinges to the doors and the cabinet frame. Ensure the hinges are aligned correctly to allow the doors to open and close smoothly.
- Install other hardware: Install handles, knobs, drawer slides, and any other hardware you’ve chosen. Make sure everything is securely attached and functions properly.
Essential Tools
To build your corner cabinet, you’ll need a set of essential tools.
- Saw: A saw is necessary for cutting wood pieces to size. You can use a circular saw, a jigsaw, or a hand saw.
- Drill: A drill is used for creating pilot holes for screws and attaching hardware.
- Screwdriver: A screwdriver is needed for driving screws into wood.
- Level: A level ensures that your cabinet frame is square and plumb.
- Tape measure: A tape measure is used for taking accurate measurements.
- Clamps: Clamps are helpful for holding wood pieces together while you apply glue or screws.
- Wood glue: Wood glue is used to bond wood pieces together.
- Safety glasses: Safety glasses protect your eyes from flying debris.
- Dust mask: A dust mask protects you from inhaling sawdust.
Installing the Corner Cabinet
Once your corner cabinet is fully assembled, it’s time to install it in your kitchen.
- Prepare the installation area: Ensure the wall surface is clean, smooth, and free of obstructions.
- Mark the installation location: Use a level and pencil to mark the desired location for the cabinet on the wall.
- Attach the cabinet to the wall: Use screws or brackets to secure the cabinet to the wall. Ensure the cabinet is level and plumb.
- Install doors and drawers: Attach the doors and drawers to the cabinet frame. Make sure they open and close smoothly.
- Adjust and finalize: Make any necessary adjustments to the cabinet’s position or hardware. Once everything is working correctly, your corner cabinet is ready to use.
Finishing Touches and Customization
Now that your corner cabinet is built, it’s time to add the finishing touches and make it truly your own. This section will cover painting or staining, decorative accents, lighting options, door styles, and countertop materials.
Painting and Staining
Painting or staining your cabinet can significantly impact its overall look and feel. Here’s how to approach each:
- Painting: Start by sanding the cabinet’s surface to create a smooth finish. Then, apply a primer to ensure the paint adheres properly. Choose a high-quality paint suitable for cabinets, and apply several thin coats for a durable and even finish.
- Staining: Sanding is crucial for staining as well, but focus on creating a consistent texture. Apply the stain evenly, following the manufacturer’s instructions. For a richer color, consider applying multiple coats.
Decorative Accents
Add personality to your cabinet with decorative accents. Here are some ideas:
- Hardware: Choose unique cabinet knobs or pulls that complement your kitchen’s style. Options range from modern to rustic, offering a wide array of materials like metal, wood, or ceramic.
- Molding: Add decorative molding around the cabinet’s edges to enhance its visual appeal. Consider using different profiles to create a unique design.
- Stencils: Apply stencils to create intricate patterns on the cabinet’s doors or sides. Choose stencils that match your kitchen’s theme or personal taste.
Cabinet Lighting
Adding lighting to your corner cabinet enhances its functionality and creates a warm ambiance.
- Under-cabinet lighting: Install LED strips under the cabinet to illuminate the countertop and work area. Choose warm white or cool white LEDs based on your preference.
- Glass shelves with LED lights: Use glass shelves with integrated LED lights to showcase your collection of dishes or glassware. The warm glow adds a touch of elegance.
- Cabinet door lighting: Install small LED lights inside the cabinet to illuminate its contents. This is particularly useful for cabinets with glass doors.
Cabinet Door Styles
The choice of cabinet door style significantly impacts the cabinet’s overall look.
- Raised panel doors: These doors feature a raised center panel, creating a traditional and elegant look. They are often found in classic kitchen designs.
- Flat panel doors: These doors have a smooth, flat surface, offering a modern and minimalist aesthetic. They are a popular choice for contemporary kitchens.
- Glass panel doors: These doors feature glass panels, allowing you to showcase your collection of dishes or glassware. They add a touch of elegance and visual interest.
Countertop Materials, How to build a kitchen wall corner cabinet
The countertop material is an essential part of your corner cabinet.
| Material | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Granite | Durable, heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, unique patterns | Expensive, porous, requires sealing |
| Quartz | Durable, scratch-resistant, non-porous, wide range of colors | Expensive, can be prone to chipping |
| Laminate | Affordable, durable, easy to clean, wide range of colors | Not as heat-resistant as other materials, can be prone to scratches |
| Wood | Warm and natural, can be customized, affordable | Requires regular maintenance, susceptible to scratches and water damage |
How to build a kitchen wall corner cabinet – Building a kitchen wall corner cabinet can maximize space and add a unique touch to your kitchen. If you’re looking for inspiration for a similar storage solution in a different room, consider the sleek and stylish restoration hardware pharmacy wall mount medicine cabinet.
This design philosophy of utilizing vertical space for storage can be applied to your kitchen corner cabinet, ensuring you make the most of every inch.
Building a kitchen wall corner cabinet can be a great way to maximize space and add storage, but it’s important to plan for any potential obstacles. For example, if you’re working with an older home, you might need to remove an existing in-wall medicine cabinet before you can proceed.
Fortunately, removing these cabinets isn’t as daunting as it might seem, with detailed instructions available online, such as how to remove in wall medicine cabinet. Once the space is clear, you can move on to the exciting part: designing and constructing your custom corner cabinet.
