10 Genius Ways to Use a Lazy Susan

I’m a firm believer that every home needs a lazy Susan. Growing up, I loved watching condiments go round and round at the dinner table. Today, I put lazy Susans like this one to use in my small kitchen. They’re really handy for organizing and maximizing storage space. Here are a few of the smartest uses I’ve seen for the turntable tray:

Organize the Refrigerator

Store similar items, like condiments or sauces, on a small lazy Susan in the fridge. Instead of digging to the back of the shelf, just spin the tray to find the pickles or soy sauce. As a bonus, by bundling shorter items on a lazy Susan, you can lower your refrigerator shelves, adding more vertical space on other shelves. Here are more of my favorite fridge-organizing tips—they really work!

Make the Most of Difficult Storage Spots

Lazy Susans work wonders on high shelves in the pantry and other hard-to-reach places. The rotating plate makes it easy to find items without having to contort yourself stretching for them.

Hang Utensils

Tired of fumbling through drawers to find your favorite cooking gadget? This DIY gives spatulas, whisks and slotted spoons a proper place. Screw metal hooks onto the top of a lazy Susan. Then, flip it upside down and attach the base to the underside of a kitchen cabinet or hanging shelf. Loop your tools through the hooks and you have a nifty carousel that makes it easy to find what you need.

Decorate Cakes

When it comes to quick, tidy cake decorating, pro bakers turn to turntables. You can hack this setup at home by placing your cake plate on a lazy Susan. Whether you’re adding the crumb coat or putting on the finishing touches, a rotating base makes it easy to cover all sides of a cake.

Try this with the kids: Create a splatter spin-art cake by giving white frosted cake a whirl on board a lazy Susan. While the cake is turning, drizzle on different colored icing. You’ll end up with a graffiti-like design that children and teens will go gaga for. Not sure what kind of cake to start with? Here’s a birthday cake recipe for every month.

Corral Countertop Staples

Got a host of cooking oils and vinegars lingering by the stove? Gather them on a lazy Susan. I like to use a petite plate here, preferably one with raised edges or a rubber base, which will help keep your goods from tipping off.

Store Spices

Instead of having your essential spices scattered in the cupboard, set them on a lazy Susan. Be sure to have the labels facing out. If a single layer won’t suffice, create a two-tiered lazy Susan by placing an empty can in the center and setting a second lazy Susan on top. Use hot glue to adhere the can in place. (Or you could purchase a two-tiered model right off the bat.) We like to put baking spices on one tier and cooking spices on another, so searching is a snap.

Organize Under the Sink

Keep cleaning products organized on a lazy Susan under the sink. The rotating tray is ideal for placing large containers you’d rather not haul too far, like bleach or vinegar (that household wonder-worker). This trick comes in handy in bathrooms, too; think big bottles of mouthwash or hair products.

Maximize Your Coffee Station

If your mug tree is set against a wall, its back branches can be difficult to reach. Place the tree on a lazy Susan so you can rotate it quickly. Consider adding coffee supplies like packets of sweetener or coffee capsules to the turntable, too.

Organize Crafting Supplies

Stick your markers, crayons, paints and any other crafting supplies atop a lazy Susan, and kids can easily share supplies while they work on a project around the kitchen table. This can be a temporary use, or you can make it permanent by gluing mason jars or pencil cups to the surface.

Make a Chore Wheel

A colorful wheel is a crafty way to make chores a bit more fun. Divide a plastic lazy Susan into sections, like a pie. Paint each and label with a different chore, like doing the dishes or walking the dog. Stick the finished spinner onto a poster board and add an arrow that points toward the wheel. Have your kids spin it, and whichever chore the arrow lands on will be the one they get to do. Want to get kids more involved in the kitchen? Check out our guide to tasks by age.

Now that you know what a lazy Susan can do, find out all the ways you can put rubber bands to good use.