Make every centimetre count. From compact apartments to family homes, a well-planned kitchenette corner can transform your daily cooking, cleaning and entertaining. Here’s how Joyce Kitchens designs corner kitchen cupboards and custom cabinetry that work beautifully in Western Australia.
Why the kitchenette corner matters
Your kitchenette corner is often the most under-used space in a kitchen. With the right corner kitchen cabinets and hardware, it becomes ergonomic storage for pots, pantry staples and small appliances—see our Kitchen designs Perth for local inspiration. Done well, a corner kitchen design also improves traffic flow in open-plan living and helps you meet Australian appliance clearances.
Corner storage that actually works
Not all corner solutions are equal. Here are proven options our Perth designers specify based on space, budget and how you cook.
Best-in-class corner mechanisms
- LeMans pull-out trays — Kidney-shaped shelves that swing right out of the corner cupboard with doors, bringing heavy pots to you. Great for blind corners.
- Blind-corner pull-outs — Two-stage pull-and-slide systems that empty the blind space. Works well where a dishwasher or oven sits nearby.
- Lazy Susan — Rotating circular trays. Budget-friendly and reliable, especially for pantries and corner unit cupboards.
- Corner drawers — Bespoke, triangular drawers with soft-close runners; excellent access, premium cost.
Doors, hinges and heights that feel right
- Corner cupboard with doors: Choose wide-opening soft-close hinges (eg. 155°) to reduce door conflict with adjacent appliances.
- Handleless cabinetry: J-pull or push-to-open fronts give clean lines in a compact kitchenette corner.
- Overhead cabinets: If ceilings allow, stagger heights or add a small open shelf to avoid a boxed-in look.
- Toe-kick drawers: Sneak in extra storage for trays and boards under base units.
What we often recommend in WA homes
- Drawers over doors for everyday items; doors with pull-outs for deep corners.
- Integrated bins near the sink corner for quick prep clean-up.
- 600 mm ovens and 900 mm cooktops remain common locally—plan clearances so corner doors don’t clash with appliance handles.
All Joyce Kitchens hardware is specified to meet or exceed relevant Australian expectations, and our installers follow AS/NZS Wiring Rules and gas clearances when coordinating with licensed trades.
Helpful resources: Housing Industry Association (HIA), Master Builders WA, WA Building and Energy
Our renovation process (Perth & WA)
Whether it’s a compact kitchenette or a full remodel, our kitchen renovations Perth team delivers a smooth, guided experience.
- Design consult — We measure, discuss cooking habits and storage needs, and map the kitchenette corner constraints (windows, plumbing, power).
- Concept & 3D — Options for kitchen cabinets corner mechanisms, door styles (e.g., Shaker kitchen, modern flat) and finishes.
- Specifications — Hardware (Blum/Hettich), benchtops (engineered stone, laminate), splashback choices and appliance sizing.
- Quote & timeline — Transparent pricing and installation plan. We coordinate with licensed trades for AS/NZS 3000 (electrical) and AS/NZS 5601 (gas) compliance.
- Manufacture & install — Custom cabinetry WA-made, installed by our experienced team with meticulous finishing.
- Aftercare — Guidance on cleaning 2PAC, melamine and stone, and warranty support.
Materials & finishes for corner units
The right materials withstand WA’s heat and daily wear while complementing your style.
Cabinet carcasses and doors
- Moisture-resistant MDF and high-quality particleboard for carcasses; plywood available for specific applications.
- 2PAC painted doors for premium, durable finishes; melamine and vinyl wrap for budget-friendly resilience.
- Soft-close hinges and runners as standard; internal lighting optional inside corner cupboards.
Benchtops and splashbacks
- Engineered stone benchtop (e.g., Caesarstone, Smartstone) for heat, stain and scratch resistance—great for sunlit Perth spaces.
- High-pressure laminate for value and variety; modern textures mimic stone and timber.
- Waterfall edge can visually anchor a kitchenette corner on islands and peninsulas.
- Splashback options include low-iron glass, large-format porcelain and subway tiles to suit coastal or urban styles.
Layouts & styles
Corner solutions differ by layout. We tailor the mechanism and door swing to suit your plan.
L-shaped kitchenettes
Classic corner unit cupboard location. Consider corner drawers or LeMans for maximum access. Place the sink on one leg and cooking on the other to reduce congestion.
U-shaped kitchens
Two corners mean twice the opportunity. Use a blind-corner pull-out near the cooktop and a Lazy Susan near the pantry for zoning.
Galley and apartment kitchenettes
When corners are tight, sometimes the best choice is squaring off the corner and adding deeper drawers or a pull-out pantry. This can simplify AS/NZS clearance requirements in compact spaces.
Style notes
- Shaker kitchen doors with matte finishes suit coastal WA homes.
- Modern handleless lines and integrated appliances create a sleek apartment kitchenette.
- Warm timbers and brushed nickel handles pair nicely with porcelain splashbacks.
Costs & budgeting in WA
Pricing varies with size, materials and mechanism complexity. Typical ranges for the corner kitchen cupboard component (supply & install, indicative only):
- Lazy Susan corner cabinet: $600–$1,200
- Blind-corner pull-out: $1,100–$2,200
- LeMans system: $1,800–$3,000
- Corner drawers (custom): $2,200–$4,000
Full kitchenette renovations in Perth typically range from $15,000–$35,000+ depending on benchtops, appliances, tiling and trade work. We provide fixed, itemised quotes after a site measure.
Note: All plumbing and electrical must be carried out by licensed WA trades to the NCC and applicable AS/NZS standards.
Engineered Stone vs Laminate Benchtops
| Feature | Engineered Stone | High-Pressure Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Look & feel | Premium, consistent patterns; suits modern and Shaker styles | Wide variety of colours/textures; excellent value |
| Heat & UV resistance (WA sun) | Very good; still use trivets for hot pans | Good; avoid direct high heat and harsh UV over time |
| Durability | Highly scratch and stain resistant | Good day-to-day resilience; can chip with heavy impact |
| Maintenance | Low; mild detergent | Low; non-abrasive cleaners only |
| Typical cost (installed) | $$$–$$$$ | $–$$ |
Practical kitchenette corner checklist
- Measure appliance doors and handles to avoid corner clashes.
- Pick one mechanism: LeMans, blind-corner pull-out, Lazy Susan or corner drawers.
- Choose door style: Shaker, flat or handleless for the look you want.
- Select benchtop: engineered stone or laminate based on budget and maintenance.
- Confirm hinge angles (e.g., 155°) for wide-open access.
- Plan lighting: LED strip inside corner cupboards improves visibility.
- Lock in trades: licensed electrician and plumber per AS/NZS standards.
- Book your Joyce Kitchens site measure for an accurate quote.
WA project snapshots
Cottesloe apartment kitchenette
Brief: Maximise a tight kitchenette corner beside a 600 mm oven. Solution: Blind-corner pull-out, handleless doors, 20 mm engineered stone benchtop and glass splashback. Result: 35% more usable storage and smooth traffic flow to the balcony.
Joondalup family kitchen
Brief: Upgrade an L-shaped corner for heavy cookware. Solution: LeMans trays with soft-close, 2PAC Shaker fronts, integrated bin near the sink. Result: Faster meal prep and clutter-free benchtops; family loves the new workflow.
Ready to plan your kitchenette corner?
Book a design consultation with Joyce Kitchens. Our Perth team will measure, design and install corner solutions that fit your space, style and budget—backed by local manufacturing and aftercare.
FAQ
What’s the best way to use a kitchenette corner?
The best solution depends on space and budget. For most WA homes, a blind-corner pull-out or LeMans system gives the easiest access to pots and pans. Lazy Susans are great value for pantry items. Where possible, choose drawers for everyday storage and use a corner mechanism for occasional items.
Are corner kitchen cupboards worth it, or should I square the corner off?
If you need maximum storage without widening the room, a corner cupboard with doors and a quality pull-out is worth it. In compact galley layouts, squaring off the corner and running deep drawers can improve appliance clearances and simplify installation. We’ll model both in 3D so you can compare capacity and costs.
How much does a corner unit cupboard cost in Perth?
As a guide: Lazy Susan $600–$1,200; blind-corner pull-out $1,100–$2,200; LeMans $1,800–$3,000; custom corner drawers $2,200–$4,000. Final pricing depends on cabinet size, door finish (melamine vs 2PAC) and hardware brand.
Can I fit a dishwasher or bin near a corner?
Yes, but plan carefully. Dishwashers next to a corner need door and handle clearance so doors don’t clash. Integrated pull-out bins fit well on the sink run just off the corner, keeping prep and clean-up efficient.
What finishes work best for WA heat and sun?
Engineered stone benchtops handle heat and UV well (still use trivets). For doors, 2PAC and premium melamine resist everyday wear. Choose quality hinges and soft-close runners to cope with daily use in busy Perth households.