Short answer: yes — when used in the right kitchen, for the right reason.
Long answer: a corner lazy susan can either be a quiet kitchen hero… or that awkward spinning thing you forget exists until something crashes at the back 😄
In Sydney kitchen renovations, especially across Chatswood, Ryde, Epping, Parramatta, Burwood, Hurstville, and the Inner West, corner lazy susans are still one of the most commonly discussed storage solutions. Some homeowners swear by them. Others swear at them.
So let’s clear the confusion and answer this properly — from a real renovation and kitchen design & layout perspective.
What Is a Corner Lazy Susan?
A corner lazy susan is a rotating shelf system installed inside a corner cabinet, designed to make awkward corner space usable.
They typically come in:
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Full-round or kidney-shaped trays
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Two or three-tier configurations
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Fixed or independently rotating shelves
Their job is simple:
👉 bring hidden items to you instead of making you crawl into the cabinet.
Why Lazy Susans Are Still Popular in Sydney Kitchens
1. Sydney Kitchens Often Have Corners (Whether We Like It or Not)
In Sydney, many homes — from:
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Older brick houses in Strathfield and Concord
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Apartments around Olympic Park and Zetland
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Terraces in Newtown and Redfern
…use L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen layouts.
Corners are unavoidable. And without a solution, that space becomes:
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Hard to reach
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Poorly used
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Full of forgotten cookware
Lazy susans exist because empty corners are wasted real estate — especially in Sydney, where space is never cheap.
2. They’re Simple, Reliable, and Cost-Effective
Compared to more complex pull-out corner systems, lazy susans are:
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More affordable
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Mechanically simple
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Less likely to break
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Easy for all ages to use
For families, downsizers, and renovators working within a sensible budget, that matters.
When a Corner Lazy Susan Is Absolutely Worth Installing
✔ You Want Practical Storage Without Overengineering
Not every kitchen needs high-end “magic corner” systems.
Lazy susans are ideal for storing:
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Pots and pans
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Mixing bowls
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Small appliances
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Pantry overflow
They work particularly well in family homes in Kellyville, Castle Hill, and Baulkham Hills, where durability beats flashy mechanisms.
✔ Your Kitchen Is Medium to Large in Size
Lazy susans shine when:
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Cabinet openings are wide enough
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The corner isn’t too tight
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Door swing isn’t restricted
In tighter apartment kitchens, other solutions may perform better.
✔ You Prefer Low Maintenance Solutions
No rails.
No complex arms.
No delicate mechanisms.
Just spin, grab, and go.
For homeowners who don’t want to worry about future servicing or part replacements, lazy susans are refreshingly old-school.
When Lazy Susans May NOT Be the Best Choice
Let’s be honest — they’re not perfect.
✖ Very Small or Narrow Kitchens
In compact kitchens commonly found in:
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Inner-city apartments
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Older walk-ups in Ashfield or Campsie
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Narrow terraces in Surry Hills
A lazy susan may:
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Limit usable space
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Be difficult to load efficiently
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Reduce cabinet opening width
In these cases, pull-out drawers or slim storage may work better.
✖ If You Store Heavy or Oversized Items
Lazy susans are not ideal for:
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Very heavy cookware
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Tall appliances
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Large bulk items
Overloading them shortens their lifespan and reduces smooth rotation.
✖ If You Want Maximum Space Efficiency
A lazy susan improves accessibility — not absolute storage volume.
Some modern pull-out corner systems:
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Use more of the cabinet
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Provide better organisation
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Look more premium
But they also cost more.
Lazy Susan vs Magic Corner: Which Is Better?
This is a common Sydney renovation debate.
FeatureLazy SusanMagic CornerCostLowerHigherDurabilityHighMediumEase of useVery easyEasyStorage efficiencyMediumHighMaintenanceLowHigher
There’s no “best” — only “best for your kitchen.”
Lazy susans win on simplicity.
Magic corners win on space optimisation.
Design Mistakes to Avoid (Very Important)
From real renovation experience, most lazy susan complaints come from poor design, not the product itself.
❌ Mistake 1: Cheap hardware
Low-quality bearings = stiff rotation and early failure.
❌ Mistake 2: Wrong cabinet size
Too small, and nothing fits comfortably.
❌ Mistake 3: No internal lip or guard
Items slide off. Chaos follows.
❌ Mistake 4: Poor door alignment
Makes access awkward and frustrating.
A well-installed lazy susan feels smooth, balanced, and easy — even after years of use.
Are Lazy Susans Still “Modern”?
Yes — but in a practical modern sense, not a flashy one.
Modern kitchens aren’t just about:
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Handle-less doors
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Stone benchtops
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Integrated appliances
They’re about how the space works every single day.
In many Sydney kitchen renovations, especially where budgets are sensible and layouts are tight, lazy susans remain:
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Relevant
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Functional
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Cost-effective
They may not trend on Instagram — but your knees and back will thank you.
Do Lazy Susans Add Value to a Kitchen Renovation?
They don’t add value by themselves.
They add value by making corner storage usable.
Buyers won’t say:
“This house has a lazy susan!”
But they will feel:
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Better organisation
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Less wasted space
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A kitchen that actually works
And that’s what matters.
Final Verdict: Are Corner Lazy Susans Worth Installing?
✔ Yes — for practical, everyday kitchens
✔ Yes — when designed and installed properly
✖ No — if chosen blindly or installed cheaply
A corner lazy susan isn’t a luxury item. It’s a workhorse solution that still earns its place in many modern Sydney kitchens.
If you’re planning a kitchen renovation and unsure whether a lazy susan, magic corner, or drawer-based solution suits your layout best, good design advice at the planning stage can save you years of frustration.
To explore smart kitchen, bathroom, and home renovation solutions tailored for Sydney homes, visit www.mb9.com.au to find out more about kitchen renovation and bathroom renovation services from MB9 Australia Pty Ltd.
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