Can I install a lazy susan in a cabinet that already has fixed shelves?

Yes, but it requires removing the fixed shelf and the shelf pin system. The lazy susan kit includes a circular tray that mounts on a central bearing. You must measure the cabinet's interior width and depth to ensure the tray's diameter fits. In most cases, the tray's diameter is 2 to 3 inches smaller than the cabinet's width to allow for rotation.

Which system is easier to clean: pull out shelves or lazy susans?

Pull out shelves are easier to clean because you can pull the shelf fully out and wipe the entire surface, including the back wall of the cabinet. Lazy susans require you to spin the tray to access the back, and the circular gap between the tray and the cabinet wall collects crumbs and spills that are hard to reach. You may need to remove the tray entirely for a thorough cleaning.

Do pull out shelves work in a corner cabinet with a non-diagonal opening?

Yes, but only if you use a specialized corner pull out unit with a pivot mechanism or a 'blind corner' pull out that swings out. A standard pull out shelf will not work because the cabinet's corner blocks the slide path. These corner pull out units are more expensive and require precise measurements, but they provide better weight support than a lazy susan for heavy cookware.

Are there any safety concerns with heavy items on a lazy susan?

Yes. The center bearing on most lazy susans is rated for 50 to 75 pounds, but the load is not distributed evenly. A heavy item placed near the outer edge can cause the tray to tilt or bind, making it hard to rotate. For heavy items, use a pull out shelf with full-extension slides, which distribute weight evenly across the slides and are rated for 75 to 100 pounds per pair.

Pull Out Shelves vs Lazy Susan: Choosing the Right Fit for Corner and Deep Cabinets

Why Corner and Deep Cabinets Force a Different Storage Decision

Standard base cabinets with hinged doors make items near the back almost unreachable. Corner cabinets add the complication of a 90-degree turn, while deep cabinets create a vertical void that is difficult to see into. Both designs punish guessing: reach in blindly and you will likely pull out three items to find the one you actually need.

Pull out shelves and lazy Susans solve the reach problem in opposite ways. A pull out shelf glides forward on tracks, bringing the entire contents into the open. A lazy Susan rotates on a central bearing, spinning the cabinet's interior to face you. The right choice depends on the cabinet's shape, the weight you store, and how often you access the back row.

This comparison walks through three real kitchen scenarios—a blind corner, a deep pantry, and a standard base cabinet—to show where each system works and where it creates new frustrations.

A blind corner cabinet has a fixed wall on one side, so the door opens into a dead space. A lazy susan with a pie-cut or kidney-shaped tray rotates that dead space into the doorway. For a corner cabinet with a diagonal opening, this is the most direct solution: spin the tray, see every jar, and retrieve it without bending or reaching.

The downside appears when you store tall bottles or heavy appliances. The rotating trays are usually 24 to 28 inches in diameter, and their center bearing carries the load unevenly. A heavy stockpot near the outer edge can make the tray tilt or bind, and tall bottles may hit the cabinet ceiling when the tray turns. You also lose the top shelf of the corner entirely, as the rotating mechanism occupies that vertical space.

For a corner cabinet used for everyday items like oils, spices, and small mixing bowls, a lazy susan is the better fit. It keeps frequently used items visible and accessible with a simple spin. If you need to store large, heavy cookware or rarely used platters, the same corner will frustrate you—the tray's rotation does not eliminate the deep reach; it just changes the direction of the reach.

Scenario 2: The Deep Base Cabinet – Where Pull Out Shelves Win on Weight and Visibility

A deep base cabinet (typically 24 to 30 inches deep) is a different problem. Unlike a corner, there is no pivot point to exploit. A pull out shelf system, mounted on full-extension slides, brings the entire shelf out to the front edge of the cabinet. You can see every item from front to back without leaning in, and the slides carry the weight evenly across the cabinet floor.

The strength of a pull out system is its load-bearing capacity. Full-extension slides rated for 75 to 100 pounds per pair support heavy Dutch ovens, cast iron skillets, and stacked mixing bowls. The shelf slides out fully, so the back row becomes as accessible as the front. This is the storage equivalent of turning the cabinet into a drawer.

The trade-off is the initial cost and the need for precise installation. A quality pull out unit with soft-close slides runs from $150 to $300 per cabinet, depending on width and brand. You also lose a few inches of usable height because the slides and shelf framing take up vertical space. For a deep cabinet used for pots, pans, and small appliances, the pull out system is almost always the better investment.

Scenario 3: The Standard Base Cabinet – Matching the System to the Load

A standard 24-inch-wide base cabinet under a countertop is the most common storage space in a kitchen. Here, the choice between a pull out shelf and a lazy susan depends on what you store. If you keep a mix of canned goods, spices, and baking supplies, a pull out shelf with adjustable dividers keeps categories separate and visible. The full-extension slides let you pull the shelf out to access the back row without disturbing the front.

A lazy susan in a standard base cabinet works only if the cabinet has a rotating interior, which most do not. Retrofitting a lazy susan into a standard box requires removing the fixed shelf and installing a circular tray kit. This works for small items like spices and condiments, but it sacrifices the vertical space that a pull out shelf would preserve. The tray's diameter is limited by the cabinet's width, so you cannot store large platters or tall bottles.

For a standard base cabinet, the pull out shelf is the more versatile option. It handles heavy loads, accommodates tall items, and does not waste the upper portion of the cabinet. A lazy susan is only preferable if you have a narrow, deep cabinet (like a 12-inch-wide spice cabinet) where a pull out shelf would be too shallow to be useful.

Worked Example: Rebuilding a 36-Inch Corner Pantry with Both Systems

Consider a 36-inch blind corner pantry with a diagonal door. The cabinet is 30 inches deep and 36 inches wide. You store a stand mixer, a stack of mixing bowls, a set of baking sheets, and a dozen cans of beans. The challenge is to make all of it reachable without climbing onto the counter.

The solution uses a hybrid: install a lazy susan tray on the lower half of the corner for the cans and small jars. The tray's rotation brings the beans and spices to the front. On the upper half, mount a pull out shelf with a deep drawer glide. The pull out shelf holds the stand mixer and mixing bowls, which are too heavy for the lazy susan's center bearing. The baking sheets stand vertically in a narrow pull out divider on the door side.

The result: the lazy susan handles the high-turnover small items, while the pull out shelf supports the heavy mixer and bowls. This approach costs about $250 for the lazy susan kit and $200 for the pull out unit, totaling $450—less than a custom pull out corner system that could cost $800 or more. The trade-off is that the lazy susan's trays are not adjustable, so you must measure your cans and jars before buying.