Did you pick up a pair of old cabinets at the jumble sale and tried to install them in the corner of your workshop? The problem is that when you open a drawer, it runs into the handle of the other cabinet. How do you fix that? You need a kitchen corner post!

In this post, I’ll explain what a kitchen corner post is, why you might need one as well as answer some popular questions on the topic.

Let’s get into it!

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What Is A Kitchen Corner Post?

A kitchen corner post is a vertical trim piece that gives extra room for cabinet doors and drawers to open without obstruction.

The corner post is usually constructed out of two strips of cabinet material that are attached to each other at a ninety-degree angle. You attach one angle of the post to the end of one corner cabinet. The other angle is fixed to the face of the other corner cabinet.

The result is a void that exists between the two corner cabinets which also runs along the wall behind them. The void is hidden once the worktop is installed.

Some DIY kitchen cabinets are sold with the corner post attached to one of the corner cupboards. Others require you to order one as a separate item or they may include materials to make a corner post up on-site yourself.

Why Do You Need A Corner Post?

The corner post provides a few extra centimetres so that cabinet doors can open all the way without bumping into the knobs or handles of the cabinet door on the other side of the corner.

If you have a drawer in the corner and a cabinet facing it, the drawer won’t be able to open fully as it will hit the other door’s handle.

Since the corner post is constructed out of the same material as the rest of the cabinetry, it looks like it belongs there. You likely have one in your kitchen and never noticed its existence.

If you decide to skip using a corner post, you will likely spend years complaining about doors that don’t work correctly. Trust me, you need a corner post.

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How Big Should A Corner Post Be?

The standard corner post included in many self-install cabinets measures between 70 – 100mm deep and wide.

The corner post will usually be the same height as your cabinet doors, so everything blends in.

If you are building a custom kitchen, the width of the corner post depends on the drawers and handles used on your cabinets. Measure the depth of the hardware and add a few more millimetres for wiggle room. That is the width you need for one side of the corner post.

The other half of the corner post determines how big the void will be located behind the straight corner cabinet. This void can be useful for running pipes or hiding a crooked wall angle often found in older homes.

Remember that you will need to include the void in your calculations for determining the total length of your countertops.

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Which Type Of Corner Cabinets Need A Corner Post?

The most common type of corner cabinet that needs a corner post is the straight corner or blind corner cabinet. This is true for both base and wall cabinet versions.

One end of the cabinet features a finished door. The corner post belongs next to the door.
The rest of the width of the cabinet is left blank or unfinished. This allows the standard base unit to butt up against the blank part and create that seamless corner appearance.

The straight corner base cabinet (blind corner) is often known for its awkward and deep section tucked into the corner. Pull-out hardware solutions allow you to utilise the full depth of the cabinet.

There is no need for a corner post if you order a folding corner door, an angled door, or a corner drawer cabinet.

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How To Install A Kitchen Corner Post

You may have a single-piece corner post included with your DIY kitchen cabinets. If this is the case:

• Position the straight corner cabinet in its final place.
• Attach the top of the corner post to the straight corner cabinet using a screw drilled from the inside of the cabinet.
• Straighten the post using a spirit level and attach the bottom of the post.
• Find the right position for the standard base cabinet. The corner post should be flush with the face of the cabinet.
• Use a drill to run a screw through the inside of the standard base cabinet into the end of the corner post. Attach it at the top and bottom.

If the corner post is made out of two flat strips of trim:

• Dry fit the position of the straight corner and standard cabinets.
• Open the doors and drawers and adjust the position so that the doors do not hit the opposing hardware.
• Fit one side of the corner post material next to the straight corner cabinet door and use a pencil to mark the required depth. Cut to size.
• Install that half of the corner post by attaching it with a screw or corner bracket from the inside of the cabinet. No fasteners should be visible.
• Measure and cut the opposing side of the corner post.
• Drive screws from the inside of the standard cabinet into the opposing half of the corner post.
• Use a small bead of matching silicone to eliminate any gaps in the corner.

Final Thoughts…

There you have it! Everything you need to know about kitchen corner posts.

While it may not be the most glamorous of kitchen design topics, it is an important one! Ignore the corner post and you’ll have a poor functioning corner cabinet in your kitchen. Or one that just straight up doesn’t work.

Taking a minute to understand how they work and why you need one will mean your kitchen design can be fully functional.

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