There are a multitude of options for cabinetry. when designing in corners. In addition to open corner shelves, users could design with dead corners or blind corners.

Dead Corner	Blind Corner

Dead Corner	Blind Corner
A dead corner cabinet is when two components in a corner meet at the front of the cabinet, creating a “dead” space in the corner that will be inaccessible, therefore not used for storage.	A blind corner cabinet is a component installed in a corner where two cabinet runs meet, and a portion of the cabinet is hidden by the one adjacent to it.
Pros - Easier access to items as nothing is tucked away. - Many prefer the aesthetics. - Easier to design in CAD. Cons - Loss of potential storage space in the corner. - Hanging clothes will bump into each other, unless components are wardrobe depth.	Pros - The hidden section serves as storage without giving up space in a corner. Cons - More expensive, more material. - Difficult to reach items in the back of the blind corner. - More complex to design in CAD.
Open Example of dead corner.	Open Example of blind corner with top shelves removed to it is easier to see.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dead Corners

Creating a dead corner cabinet is typically the preferred method for closed corner storage as it is easier to design and install, and does not require reaching into the corner to access stored items. The components on either side of the dead corner are great for shelving, doors or even pull-outs (just be aware of hardware collisions) but if wanting to use hanging components, it is best to make them 24” deep so the clothing is contained within the component.

Add design zones to the two adjacent walls, deleting the automatic bridging shelf that comes in. Before adding components, go to Properties [Design Zone] of BOTH design zones that will create the dead corner. Depending on which side goes towards the dead corner, change the Offset Left and/or Right using this formula:

Repeat for the other design zone.

Add components (empty or templates) to the design zone. Components can be placed right up against the edge of the design zone that was offset for the dead corner. Editing the component and adding parts can done at any point.

On the partition(s) closest to the corner, click to go to Properties [Part]. Turn Filler Style to “Filler” (scribe is not needed)and change the Width Mode to “Custom” Then, type 2.75 (or whatever was accounted for) into the Width field and press enter to set. Repeat in both design zones.

Check the components in Plan and 3D view to ensure the position is correct. Adjust the components and/or filler as needed.

Edit the component and add parts if not done already. Add additional components around the dead corner to complete the design.

Adding Top Caps, Bottom Caps & Countertops

It is recommended to add a top cap to the components to cover the gap so the gap is covered and nothing will accidentally fall down behind it. If the top shelf will not be used for storage (if to the ceiling or with fascia, for instance, this step may not be necessary). If this is a wall-mounted component where the bottom will be visible, a bottom cap may be recommended as well.

Add the top cap and/or bottom cap to all components where desired. Adjust front overhangs (see left) to desired dimension (ei 1-2”).

In one of the design zones that make up the dead corner, go into properties of the component closest to the corner. Under the Top Cap and/or Bottom Cap headings, and adjust the Overhang Left or Right in the direction of the corner so that it extends to the side wall (image shows the default).

This dimension is the same offset as the design zone/component from the wall, minus the width of the filler as the caps automatically account for them. ei. 14 or 24.

If designing with base cabinets, similar steps can be taken for the countertop. The Left/Right Overhangs are just found in a drop down menu. The base cabinets on the either wall are 24” deep, which is why the base cabinets on either design zone are manually placed 26” from the corner (24” depth + 2” for filler).

Next, navigate to the adjacent design zone. In the same Left and/or Right Overhang sections of the Cap and/or Countertop heading(s), change the overhang towards the corner to a negative number to match the overhang of the treatment adjusted in the last step. For example, if the top cap, bottom cap and/or countertop has a 1” front overhang, change either the left or right overhang to -1.

Check the alignment in 3D view.

Blind Corners

A blind corner component (dominant/primary) is only functional if it is used in conjunction with a filler and an adjacent component (non-dominant/secondary).

There are two common methods of constructing a blind corner cabinet in ClosetCADPro - The “Panel” method and the “Door” method. Many of the steps are the same for both and look similar visually, but different locations may use one method versus the other.

See CAD file with both versions attached at the bottom of this page.

Users will add components to the primary/dominant corner, and then the secondary/non-dominant corner. This is similar to a corner component. The primary/dominant is the component that will physically sit all the way in the corner, although depending on component depth or how deep that corner is, the primary comp could be placed AWAY from the wall several inches.

For either method, start by placing a component in the primary/dominant corner. This can be a tall component or a short/base cabinet. For off-the-floor or upper cabinets, desks, and wardrobe cabinets, see notes at the end of the page. Adjust the width as desired.

Next, place another component in the secondary/non-dominant corner that is 2-2.75” from the front of the dominant corner component. The space between the secondary and primary comps can be less than 2.75 if there are no faces in the corner comps.

Adjust the width and height of the components as needed (make sure both component heights match). If using base cabinets, a countertop can be added as well.

Add a filler to the partition of the component on the secondary/non-dominant side that is closest to the primary component. In the partition’s Properties [Part], drop down the options for Filler Style and select “Filler” (scribe is not needed). Next, change the Width Mode to “Custom”.

The “Custom” option allows users to control the width of the filler, versus filling the available space as “autofill” does. Type “2.75” (for 2.75 inches) in the width in the Width field.

NOTE: If using the DOOR method, there will be a small gap as the filler will not go all the way to the primary component; This is normal as the space is 2.75” and the filler is only 2”. This gap will eventually be filled in by a door.

From the Shelf & Pole pulldown in the ribbon toolbar, add an upright shelf to the primary/dominant component that will reflect the height of the door.

What steps are taken next depends on which method is being utilized.

Method 1: Panels

From the Doors pulldown, add an Int. Door to the side of the upright furthest away from the wall/corner. If the design will not include a door to the blind corner, skip adding the door.

Delete the upright by hovering over it until it turns blue (click on it if wanting to ensure it’s selected) and right click, delete. The functional door will remain in the same position.

In the elevation ribbon toolbar, turn the Measuring Tape tool on. Hover over the open space on the other side of the upright, closest to the wall, and make note of the height and width of the area (users can screenshot or write these down for easy access). Users will use these dimensions to create a manual panel.

Using the Board tool in the ribbon toolbar, draw a manual panel in any available open space in the design zone. Adjust adjust the dimensions of the manual panel to match the dimensions of the space, discovered using the measuring tape tool as previously described.

The dimensions of the board can be adjusted by either clicking on the dimensions when they turn red, or in Properties [Part]. The positioning will be edited in properties.

In Properties [Part] of the manual panel (board), complete the following setting changes:

In the Properties [Part] of the int. door, change the hinge option to “155°”.

Finally, in the Properties [Component] of the primary component, under the Bottom Treatment heading, ensure the Front Offset of the toe kick is set to 1.5 (mm).

If it is not, adjust the dimension by typing a new number in the field.

The user can now add desired parts inside either of the two components (shelves, pole, doors, etc.).

NOTE: If adding shelving to the primary component, users must adjust the front offset to 0.875” in the shelf Properties [Part].

Method 2: Doors

From the Doors pulldown, add an Int. Door to both sides of the upright.

Ensure that the hinges are on the side with the partitions, not the upright.

The door closest to the wall/corner will eventually be a non-functional door (in this example, it is the door on the left), while the one further away will remain functional and used for access within the component.

Right click to access the Properties [Part] of the eventual non-functioning door. Adjust the following settings under the Front heading:

Top Clearance: 9.5 (mm)
Bottom Clearance: 9.5 (mm)

In the Properties [Part] of the functional door, change the hinge option to “155°”. This provides more clearance than a standard hinge.

Delete the upright by hovering over it until it turns blue (click on it if wanting to ensure it’s selected) and right click, delete. The doors will remain in the same position.

Now that the doors are split, go back into Properties [Part] of the non-functioning door. Ensure that the door Type is “slab” and that the Face Finish is the same as the component finish. Remove any Hardware from that door by changing the hardware Type to “none”.

Finally, in the Properties [Component] of the primary component, under the Bottom Treatment heading, ensure the Front Offset of the toe kick is set to 1.5 (mm).

If it is not, adjust the dimension by typing a new number in the field.

The user can now add desired parts inside either of the two components (shelves, pole, doors, etc.).

Reference CAD Project File

Download the following project files if wanting to reference the steps of methods mentioned above. Note that these projects were created in the CORP MSRP database and may not open correctly in certain databases.

	Dead & Blind Corner Cabinets

	Dead & Blind Corner Cabinets
Completed Dead Corners (2 ways) & Blind Corners (2 ways)	Open
Step-by-Step Dead Corner (DZ Offset Method)	Open
Step-by-Step Blind Corner (Panel Method)	Open
Step-by-Step Blind Corner (Door Method)	Open

RELATED PAGES:

• Corner Shelves

• Filler

• Component Doors

• Panels (Applied Panels)