At first glance, it looks completely useless.
A narrow cabinet door tucked into the corner of the kitchen, barely wide enough to fit anything inside. Many homeowners notice it and assume it’s a design mistake, wasted space, or just a strange leftover from poor planning. Some even consider removing it during renovations because it doesn’t seem practical at all.
But that small space actually has a very specific purpose.
That slim cabinet is designed as a tray or baking sheet storage compartment. Instead of stacking large, flat items like baking trays, cutting boards, cooling racks, or pizza pans on top of each other in a deep cabinet, this narrow vertical space allows them to be stored upright. This makes them easier to grab, keeps them organized, and prevents scratching or bending.
Kitchen designers include these vertical slots to solve a common problem.
Wide cabinets often turn into messy piles where you have to pull everything out just to reach one pan at the bottom. With vertical storage, each item slides in and out individually. It’s especially useful for large cookie sheets, muffin tins, serving platters, and even cutting boards — items that don’t fit neatly in standard shelves.
There’s another hidden advantage.
Because this cabinet is usually placed near the oven or prep area, it keeps frequently used flat tools within easy reach. It also helps maximize awkward corner spaces that would otherwise go unused. What looks like wasted space is actually a smart way to use every inch of the kitchen efficiently.
Some homeowners even get creative with it.
Beyond baking trays, people use these narrow cabinets to store foil, parchment paper, plastic wrap, kitchen towels, or even cleaning supplies. With a few dividers added inside, the small space becomes surprisingly versatile.
So that tiny door isn’t a design flaw at all.
It’s one of those clever kitchen features that seems unnecessary — until you start using it. And once you do, you might wonder how you ever organized your kitchen without it.
