6 Clever Ways to Use a Lazy Susan for Storage
This versatile device can transition seamlessly from room to room. Experts share how.
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Every once in a while, there comes an item that goes above and beyond its intended use. Lazy Susans are a prime example. Let the record show they’re anything but work-shy.
These rotating trays (also known as turntables) have graduated from the dining table into multiple organizational roles around the home. Just ask the experts.
“They are great for keeping items contained while making them accessible,” says Amanda Rickers, a professional organizer who deems them a go-to. “They are super-versatile, and a quick fix for so many organizing challenges.”
Nowadays, lazy Susans come in many shapes and sizes, which adds to their adaptable function. “Some have a flat base, some have sides, and some have divided sections,” Rickers says. How and where you choose to use one can determine the best type for the job.
This got me thinking: How do the pros use this valuable tool? So, I asked experts about their favorite ways to employ a lazy Susan, and here’s what they had to say.
On a Counter
mDesign 2-Tier Lazy Susan Turntable, 9" Round
Merrilee Reynolds, a professional organizer, turned to a tiered lazy Susan for her kids’ bathroom to reduce clutter. “Three kids sharing one bathroom became a problem with all of their items on the smallish countertop,” says Reynolds, who bought this version to house toothbrushes, toothpaste, fluoride rinse-out, and floss.
It’s spacious enough to hold all the oral care staples and helps keep them accessible as well. The tray is also great for storing skincare essentials and other beauty products on a vanity instead of relegating them to a drawer.
For a Pantry or Kitchen Cabinet
YouCopia Crazy Susan Turntable With 3 Removable Bins
“I always recommend lazy Susans to clients who have very deep cupboards, as it is a very versatile organizing tool that magically makes everything easily accessible,” says Aline Lau, a declutter consultant and founder of Tokimekie.
These turntables can also be a big help when decluttering a pantry. Lau recommends using them to organize snacks, baking supplies, spices, and various bottled condiments like oils and vinegar. This approach saves space and makes items easier to find and more accessible when cooking, Lau says.
Inside the Fridge or in a Laundry Room
Uralfa 2-Pack Lazy Susan Cabinet Organizer
Julie O’Leary of The Neat and Orderly uses these versatile turntables to corral condiments in the fridge and make them easily accessible. She prefers this minimalist version from Amazon and has used it many times. “You no longer have to dig through bottles trying to find the mustard you want that’s at the back of the fridge,” she says. “You simply turn the lazy Susan."
The laundry room is another area where this lazy Susan comes in handy at O’Leary’s home. She uses the turntables to keep stock of items like stain removers, lint rollers, and detergent. “It’s inevitable that items will get lost or be forgotten when they are shoved into a cabinet,” she says.
On Top of a Desk
iDesign Linus 9" Divided Turntable (Clear)
When it comes to storing office supplies on a desktop—pens, highlighters, Post-it Notes—Rickers turns to a divided version of a lazy Susan. The tall sides and compartmentalized sections are perfect for keeping clutter at bay. And if you’re looking for a bonus use, Rickers likes to use this version to store Legos as well.
In the Cabinet Under a Bathroom Sink
Copco White Under-Sink Lazy Susan
Reynolds prefers to use these turntables as a storage solution for the cabinet under the bathroom sink, where tall cans of hairspray, bottles of lotion, and various other supplies would otherwise tend to take up valuable real estate. “By utilizing a lazy Susan,” she says, “these items are condensed but still easily accessible.”
Madesmart Lazy Susan
Rickers echoes this advice: “I typically store cleaning products, like countertop sprays and dish detergents, on a flat-base lazy Susan. I’ll also use one with divided sections to store sponges, scrubbers, and dishwasher detergent pods.”
