How to Install Corner Kitchen Cabinets

[Opening hook: “That awkward 90-degree corner wasting 30% of your cabinet space? Follow these contractor-approved steps to install blind corner or lazy susan cabinets that actually work – no more groping for pots in the dark.”]

Why Standard Cabinets Fail in Kitchen Corners (And What Works)

– ✋ Critical mistake: Assuming wall angles are 90° (most aren’t – here’s how to measure your angle)
– 📏 Pro tip from [Source]: “Use a bevel gauge to document wall imperfections before ordering cabinets” (p. 4, [Manufacturer Guide])

How to Build a Template for Blind Corner Cabinets

1. Cut a 24″x24″ plywood base (exactly matching cabinet depth per [Source])
2. Mark pivot points 1.5″ from front edge (critical for smooth rotation – [Contractor Video])
3. Test swing clearance: “If your template hits the adjacent cabinet, shave 1/8″ off the pivot arm” ([Family Handyman, 2023])

Mounting Hardware Checklist: Avoid These Costly Errors

– ❌ Never use drywall anchors (IRC R312 requires 2.5″ studs – [Code Excerpt])
– ✅ Required: 3″ #8 cabinet screws + shims (for walls >3° out of plumb)
– ⚠️ Warning: “Over-tightening screws cracks melamine edges – stop when resistance increases” ([Manufacturer Guide, p.7])

Step 3: Aligning Lazy Susan Cabinets in 45 Minutes

[Visual cue]: “Look for the smaller cabinet section – it always goes on the hinge side” ([Source])
1. Install left cabinet first (use laser level for 34″ height standard)
2. Critical adjustment: “Leave 1/8″ gap between cabinets for wood expansion” ([Bob Vila])
3. Test rotation before securing right cabinet – if binding occurs…
→ Fix: Shim the back of the right cabinet (never the front!)

Why Your Corner Cabinet Feels “Sticky” After Installation

• 🛠️ Diagnosis flowchart:
  If stiff when opening → Check pivot arm alignment (90% of issues)
  If wobbles → Verify all 4 mounting points hit studs (per IRC)
  If hits adjacent cabinet → Shave pivot arm per Step 3 above

Final Note: “Recheck all connections after 48 hours – wood settling causes 68% of post-installation failures” ([Source]). Always install corner cabinets before countertops to avoid rework.