Brilliant Lazy Susan Hacks For Organizing And More
Today we’ll be discussing a genius invention with a surprisingly long history: the Lazy Susan. Rotating platforms like these have been in use since the mid-1700s, and while technology has advanced by leaps and bounds since then, the design of the Lazy Susan has remained relatively unchanged.
And they’re just as useful today as they were back then! But what is a Lazy Susan, anyway?
To put it simply, a Lazy Susan is a platter or vessel of some type that rotates on its base, enabling you to spin it as needed to access the items you’ve set on it. They range in size from small organizers all the way up to tables with Lazy Susans built right in!
Related: 11 Of The Most Useful Kitchen Tools You Can Get For Under $20
If you’re wondering what to do with a Lazy Susan, look no further, because I’ve got 12 especially clever uses for Lazy Susans to share with you here. I hope they provide plenty of inspiration for how you might use them in your own home. (I’ll also show you how to make a simple DIY Lazy Susan near the end of this post!)
12 Brilliant Ways To Use A Lazy Susan
1. Spice Cabinet
I have a handful of spices and seasonings that I use frequently when I cook, and I keep those in the cupboard above my stove. It keeps them handy, but the cupboard is pretty high up, which makes it hard to reach the stuff that gets pushed into the back of the cupboard.
It recently occurred to me that I could solve this problem easily by putting in a Lazy Susan! This Lazy Susan hack lets me just spin it to find what I need, without having to struggle to reach way into the back.
Related: These 15 Surprisingly Cheap Organizers Are Incredibly Useful
2. Baking Supplies
Keep all your baking supplies on a Lazy Susan in your cupboard. Not only does that keep all your baking stuff in once place, but it also makes it easier to keep track of smaller items like sprinkles and vanilla extract.
Related: 7 Of The Smartest Kitchen Organizers Under $30
3. Refrigerator
Keep your fridge nice and tidy with a Lazy Susan! Keep all of one type of item on one, like condiments and spreads. You could also just put one in the back of the fridge to make things easier to grab!
Related: 9 Smart And Simple Kitchen Organization Hacks
4. Craft Room
A Lazy Susan can make the perfect addition to your craft room (or any surface you happen to be using as a craft table). ;-) Put all your supplies for your project on it, and spin it to keep everything accessible while you work! It’ll keep you more organized and less messy.
5. Gift Wrap
You can use the same Lazy Susan hack described above when you’re wrapping gifts! Place your scissors, tape, ribbon, and whatever else you’re using onto it to keep it all close at hand.
More Ideas You'll Love
6. Dining Table
The Lazy Susan was a popular addition to dining tables in the 19th century. The idea was that if you kept food and drinks on a rotating table, people could easily serve themselves without those pesky servants getting in the way. (The “first world problems” of the 1800s!)
But the overall concept is a good one, and can easily be applied to your 21st century dining table. Use a Lazy Susan to make food, condiments, or seasonings easily accessible for the whole table. It’s especially helpful for round-shaped tables!
7. Decorating Cakes
Putting a cake on a Lazy Susan can be really helpful for decorating! You can spin the cake as you work rather than having to move around it.
Related: 9 Practical Tips For Organizing Your Kitchen
8. Barbecues & Picnics
Use a Lazy Susan for utensils and napkins at a barbecue or picnic! You could also use one for condiments. It’ll save space on your table for other foods too.
9. Cleaning Supplies
Use a Lazy Susan to keep your cleaning supplies organized under the sink! It makes it much easier to grab what you need without having to bend over so far.
10. Hair Products
Save space in your bathroom by keeping your hair products in a Lazy Susan. You could also use a small one to keep your makeup organized and handy.
11. Gardening
Keep a Lazy Susan on your potting bench for gardening. All your seeds and tools will be easy to find and use!
12. Laundry Room
My laundry room is pretty short on storage space, so I use a Lazy Susan to help keep things tidy. I keep it in the cupboard above my washing machine, so I always know right where everything is.
How To Make A DIY Lazy Susan
You can find Lazy Susans online in many different sizes, but it’s also really easy to make your own! Here’s how to do it at home.
More Ideas You'll Love
You’ll need:
- Two pie plates of the same size
- A bag of marbles
Instructions:
Place the marbles in the bottom of one of your pie plates. Add just enough so that it forms a single layer of marbles. Place the other pie plate on top of the layer of marbles. Add your items, and spin gently to use your DIY Lazy Susan! :-)
Do you know of any other uses for a Lazy Susan?
I snap up lazy susans anytime I find any at Goodwill. Even if I don’t currently have a use, I know I will. I keep one on the end table where I sit to watch tv for items I use a lot there. Like my Oui jar full of things like pens and nail files.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.In the “Gardening” tray, I noticed vinegar. How do you use it, in gardening?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sylvia, vinegar is part of my natural weed killer recipe. Here’s the post:
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Homemade Natural Weed Killer
I use them under my plants so I can rotate them without any problems. Even the small plants!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ohhhhhh my life has just been transformed by one lazy susan! I didn’t even know that they existed outside of Chinese restaurants! (I must have had a more sheltered life than I realised). Having read your blog Jillee, I didn’t think one would be of any use anywhere, except for the thousands (well it seems like that) of remote controls in the living room, so I ordered one but, when it arrived it was far too big! The photo makes it look as if the remote controls would fit comfortably and no more! I’ve always thought that one would take less than what was on the shelf in one of my little cupboards, which holds stock cubes and herbs etc., boy was I wrong, I had to move a packet of noodles to another shelf which I have trouble reaching, but everything else either went into the lazy susan or at the other side of the cupboard. That cupboard is not the easiest one to reach, but that “one good trick” has made everything accessible now! Thank you Jillee!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m so glad!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I had two glass pie plates exactly like the ones you showed. I don’t use them for pie and was just going to get rid of them, but WahLah, I used your idea with marbles from the dollar store and I now have my new turntable in the kitchen cupboard. Thanks for the great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love the wrapping paper designs in #5! Where did you buy them?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Hope! I got those at TJ Maxx :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When I get a new microwave, I save the round glass tray and the ring, that has the ball bearings in it that allows the tray to turn, from the old one. I have a large one that can hold a lot of items. They make a turntable you can use in a pinch.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Also, check the hardware store for the turntable mechanism . You can attach it to anything you want to use for a surface.
That’s a great idea Paula!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I can usually find the microwave tray for $1 at a thrift store. I have bought several to use under large plant containers in the house.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love your ideas! There is one problem I have though. It’s the photo on #5 Gift Wrap – please point the scissors down or put them in a cup. Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would put them blade down in the spool of ribbon :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That idea in #8 for putting plastic cutlery and napkins in mason jars is genius! – that way they can’t blow away – the biggest problem in our area!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee, where did you find the deep dish glass bowls?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Are you asking about the pie plates? Or the clear lazy susan?
For the pie plates, just click the underlined words “two pie plates” just under the photo of them. For the lazy susan, just click on the underlined words “find lazy susans online” just above that photo :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We have Lazy Susan’s too. One in the kitchen for spices. We also use one in our huge bathroom closet for medicines etc. And I have one on a shelf in my room. They’re nothing fancy, just the plain white ones. I’ll have to show these ideas to my Mom. She’ll love it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love Lazy Susans. Both of mine are from the mid-60’s. One is in my food cupboard in which I store a variety of small items, eg tins of tuna, soup, Keen’s mustard, etc. The other I keep handy for the table. I especially like them when having a self-serve meal, burgers, tacos. I put the toppings on the Lazy Susan so that everyone can serve themselves easily. Great inventions! Mine are a dark brown, made from some kind of hard plastic material – one of the in colours of the times. I would like to change it, and would appreciate any suggestions.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love your column, read it every day.
Spray paint!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have 2 from the 1960’s as well. They were my mom’s and still in perfect shape. They are two tiered. Be happy yours are dark brown . One of mine is avacado green . The other is almond so not so bad!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would probably use a spray paint or craft paint, followed by a layer of Mod Podge :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am wondering why Mod Podge – is it to protect the paint so it doesn’c hip?
Yes!
Thanks for all your help.