Master the Art of Crafting the Ideal Corner Cabinet for Your Next DIY Endeavor
Corner cabinets stand out as some of the most intricate and rewarding projects in the realm of DIY cabinetry. Their unique shapes and strategic placement maximize utilization of often underused corner spaces in kitchens, bathrooms, or storage rooms. Whether you’re constructing base units or wall-mounted cabinets, corner cabinets serve as essential connectors between different cabinet runs, seamlessly integrating your storage solutions. If your goal is to conclude a row of cabinets at a corner, a standard end cabinet will suffice—no special design needed. To ensure your project is successful, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with general cabinet-building principles, including parts, assembly techniques, and style options, which are covered in our foundational guides. In this detailed post, we focus specifically on the design elements and assembly methods tailored for various types of corner cabinets.
Exploring Different Types of Corner Cabinets
When planning your cabinetry, understanding the main types of corner cabinets available will help you select the best fit for your space and storage needs. Each style offers unique advantages and challenges, making it essential to choose wisely based on your specific project requirements.
Bifold Corner Cabinets
A bifold corner cabinet is a versatile design that can be incorporated into both wall and base cabinet configurations. Its primary benefit is the ability to install a lazy Susan or similar revolving storage system, making items in the back easily accessible. The front face of a bifold cabinet features notched-out sections to align seamlessly with adjacent cabinets, typically forming a square shape—such as 36 inches by 36 inches or 12 inches by 12 inches. Since this style is customizable, you can tailor the size to accommodate your storage needs.
The face frame of a bifold corner cabinet is assembled at a 90-degree angle to match the notched-out front, which necessitates a matching 90-degree cabinet door. For optimal accessibility, I recommend building dual doors with a central hinge, allowing the doors to fold flat when open and providing unobstructed access to the interior. The hinges should have a high opening angle—ideally 170 degrees—to swing the doors fully out of the way, facilitating easy interior access. Options include visible piano hinges or concealed bi-fold hinges, both suitable depending on your aesthetic preferences and functional needs.
Diagonal Corner Cabinets
Diagonal corner cabinets are predominantly used as wall-mounted units, especially when larger storage capacity is desired for items like platters or plates, thanks to their deeper interior space compared to standard 12-inch cabinets. They create an angular front profile, with the cabinet facing at a 45-degree angle, which can be visually appealing and space-efficient.
For face frame diagonal cabinets, precise cuts at a 45-degree angle are required on the front face frame and side panels to achieve a seamless appearance. Frameless, or European-style, diagonal cabinets do not require angled cuts but may need special hinges that allow the door to close at an angle other than 90 degrees. Additionally, to prevent doors from bumping into each other or the cabinet pulls, it’s often necessary to use wider stiles or adjust overlays—such as opting for a 1 1/2-inch face frame with a 1 1/4-inch overlay, or even a 1/2-inch overlay with corresponding hinges. These modifications ensure smooth operation and a sleek look, especially in modern kitchen designs.
Blind Corner Cabinets
Blind corner cabinets are ingenious storage solutions that maximize corner space without requiring full interior access from the front. They can be configured as either wall-mounted or base units. From the front, they resemble standard cabinets, but once opened, their interior extends behind an adjacent cabinet, deepening storage capacity. Usually, base blind corner cabinets are less deep—around 24 inches—so the back remains accessible, especially before countertops are installed. Once countertops are in place, the back of the blind corner cabinet becomes concealed, providing a clean look.
For wall-mounted blind corner cabinets, it’s important to ensure they extend all the way to the back wall and are securely anchored into studs to support weight and prevent movement. To enhance functionality, you can incorporate pull-out shelves or specialized organizers that slide out, granting easy access to items stored deep inside. When designing these cabinets, it’s essential to include a wider stile on the side that faces the corner to prevent doors from colliding and to accommodate handles or pulls. A spacer at a 90-degree angle allows for proper clearance and smooth operation. Covering the open corner space with a ¼-inch plywood panel creates a neat, finished appearance, hiding the open area and preventing dust accumulation. This design flexibility opens up numerous customization options for your corner storage solutions.
Innovative Ideas for Custom Corner Cabinets
The true advantage of building your own cabinets is the freedom to customize them to suit your style and needs. Here are some creative ideas to inspire your next project:
- Create an open-shelf, bi-fold corner wall cabinet to display decorative items or frequently used accessories.
- Design an extra-tall diagonal wall cabinet to sit atop the countertop, providing additional storage space for taller items.
- Incorporate a drawer above a blind corner cabinet base for easier access to utensils, linens, or smaller items.
The possibilities for customization are virtually limitless when you’re crafting your own DIY cabinets, allowing you to tailor each feature to your specific storage requirements and aesthetic preferences.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Corner Cabinet Box
Building a sturdy and functional corner cabinet begins with selecting the right tools and materials. Below is a comprehensive overview focused solely on constructing the cabinet boxes. For detailed instructions on making cabinet doors, refer to our dedicated guides on various door-building techniques.
Essential Tools & Materials
For constructing your cabinet boxes, ensure you gather the following tools and supplies:
Tools Needed
- Miter saw
I recently upgraded to a large sliding miter saw, which has greatly improved my precision. However, smaller, less expensive models work perfectly for most projects. - Table saw or circular saw with a guide track
Both options help achieve accurate cuts. - Pocket hole jig
I recommend the Kreg 720 for frequent use, but the 520 or 320 models are excellent for beginners or smaller workshops. - Power drill
Essential for assembling and drilling holes. - Impact driver
Speeds up driving screws and reduces strain. - Right-angle clamp
Helps hold parts at tight angles during assembly. - Face clamps
Useful for securing panels during gluing and fastening. - Squares
Ensures precise 90-degree angles. - Optional: Shelf pin jig
Facilitates accurate placement of shelf supports.
Supplies Needed
- Wood materials:
- ¾-inch plywood
for the main cabinet panels. - ¼-inch plywood
for backs and support pieces. - Optional: 1x boards
for constructing face frames. - Optional: Plywood edge banding
for frameless cabinets to achieve a clean look. - Optional: 2×4 boards
for toe kicks in base cabinets.
- ¾-inch plywood
- Wood glue
Use melamine glue for pre-finished plywood to ensure strong joints. - 1 ¼-inch pocket hole screws
for assembly.
Note: This overview provides general guidance on building corner cabinet boxes. For specific questions about particular styles or detailed measurements, refer to our comprehensive tutorials on base and wall cabinet construction.
Constructing a Bi-Fold Corner Cabinet Box
Each bi-fold corner cabinet includes the following components:
- 2 side panels
- 2 back panels
- 1 bottom panel
- 1 back corner piece
- Support braces (2-4 units)
Additional elements depend on the cabinet type:
- Toe kick (for base units)
- Top panel (if not installed with countertop)
- Face frame components:
- 2 face frame stiles
- 4 face frame rails
Begin by notching out the bottom and top panels at 90 degrees to align flush with the front edges of side panels. The back panels are cut at a 45-degree angle approximately 4-8 inches from the rear to accommodate irregular wall corners. For face frame cabinets, assemble the face frame at a 90-degree angle matching the notches. Construct each side panel flat, then join them at the top and bottom to form the box. For base cabinets, use ¾-inch plywood for the back panels and ¼-inch plywood for the back corner piece, ensuring the back edges are cut at 45 degrees for proper fit. Wall cabinets follow similar principles, with adjustments based on design preferences. Secure the cabinet to wall studs through support braces, ensuring stability and load-bearing capacity. Detailed plans and cut lists for custom bifold corner cabinets are available for more precise guidance.
Building a Diagonal Corner Cabinet Box
This style shares many components with the bifold design but with specific modifications:
- 2 side panels
- 2 back panels
- 1 bottom panel
- 1 back corner panel
- Support braces (2-4 units)
Optional components mirror those of the bifold style, such as toe kicks, top panels, and face frames. For a square or rectangular box, cut the side, top, and bottom panels so their edges meet at a 45-degree angle, creating a seamless corner fit. The back panels are similarly beveled at 45 degrees near the back edge to ensure a snug fit into the corner space. When constructing face frame diagonal cabinets, rip the front edges at 45 degrees on the side panels and face frame components to maintain a consistent look. Frameless designs omit angled cuts but may require special hinges for proper door operation. Attach the cabinet into the wall at the appropriate angles and support the structure with braces, ensuring secure mounting into studs.
Building a Blind Corner Cabinet Box
This innovative cabinet design offers maximum corner utilization with a few distinctive features:
- 2 side panels
- 1 back panel
- 1 bottom panel
- Support braces (2 support pieces)
- A spacer panel to fill the corner gap
Construct the cabinet similarly to standard base or wall units but with modifications to enhance accessibility. Use a wider stile on the side facing the corner to prevent door clashes, and add a spacer at a 90-degree corner to align doors and handles properly. Cover the open corner space with a ¼-inch plywood panel to hide the gap and create a clean appearance. When installing, ensure the cabinet is firmly anchored into wall studs and aligned precisely for smooth door operation. Incorporate pull-out shelves or organizers to maximize interior access, especially for deep corner storage. Customizing the open area with these features ensures your blind corner cabinet is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Endless Customization Ideas for Corner Cabinets
One of the greatest advantages of building your own cabinets is the ability to tailor each piece to your specific style and needs. Here are some innovative ideas to inspire your next project:
- Design an open, bi-fold wall cabinet with no doors for displaying decorative items or frequently used accessories.
- Build an extra-tall diagonal wall cabinet to sit atop your countertop, providing additional vertical storage space for taller items.
- Add a drawer above a blind corner base cabinet for quick access to utensils, linens, or small essentials.
With creative planning, your DIY cabinets can be customized to fit any space, style, or storage requirement, transforming your room into a highly functional and attractive area.