You're going to learn how to make a lazy susan today. These spinning circles of efficiency are a quick & easy DIY project.
If you're on the hunt for a large, good quality Lazy Susan you're out of luck. There are no sturdy Susans, lazy or otherwise to be found anywhere.
There are a few small wood (16" or less) models around that you might use on a countertop but nothing for big cabinets.
When I first redid my kitchen done I didn't get ANY of the extras. You know, all those nice things that make your drawers and cupboards so nice? Yeah, I didn't splurge on any of those. So the first thing I did when my kitchen was made over was make some Lazy Susans for my cabinets.
They're incredibly easy & affordable to make.
Make this big DIY Lazy Susan for $8 out of wood or MDF and a bit of hardware.
This is a very informative post with step-by-step instructions. It is also all kinds of boring.
If you'd like to be entertained today, might I suggest throwing rubber snakes at your neighbours.
Onto the information!
Table of Contents
DIY Lazy Susan
BASIC STEPS
1. Measure the width & depth of cabinet.
2. Paint & Prime
3. Screw in lazy susan mechanism
Easy, right?
Materials & Tools Needed
- ½" sheet of MDF ($8.50)
- Lazy Susan hardware ($4-$9)
- 8 screws
- Paint
- Jigsaw
- Drill
Steps
- Measure your cabinet's width & depth. Draw a circle on the MDF. Make sure your lazy susan circle is slightly smaller than the width/depth of the cabinet. You just need a bit of wiggle room to ensure your lazy susan doesn't hit the sides of the cabinet when you spin it.
- Using a jigsaw cut the circle out.
TIP
I've tested a LOT of jigsaws. This Bosch jigsaw is the one I love and use myself.
It's steady, more stable & turns with precision.
- Prime & paint what will be the top of your lazy susan. You can leave the bottom unfinished.
- Working on the underside, find the centre of the circle and mark it.
- Place the lazy susan bearing over the centre and screw the portion that touches the bottom of the lazy susan into place.
- Align the top part of the mechanism so the large circle is over the MDF. Mark the MDF with a pencil in that spot (like you see in the photo above.)
- Drill a hole through the MDF where you marked it. The hole needs to be large enough to fit a screwdriver head through.
- Place your lazy susan wherever it is you want to put it - probably inside a cabinet.
- Rotate the lazy susan until the large hole is directly over one of the screw holes on the mechanism plate. Drop a screw in and then screw it into the cabinet shelf. Repeat until all 4 screws are screwed in and the lazy susan is secured.
You're done.
Lazy Susan Hardware
There are two types of Lazy Susan bearings (hardware).
Round bearings Generally speaking the round ones are more expensive and bigger. They'll be more stable, especially if you decide you'd rather not screw the lazy susan into your cabinet. They're also a better choice for a stand alone unit for your counter or tabletop.
Square bearings You can get away with the smaller, square hardware for 95% of your Lazy Susan needs. These are what you would use when making a lazy susan for a cabinet.
How to Make a Lazy Susan
Aside from the money savings, making your own lazy susan gives you the advantage of being able to make it the exact size you want.
Materials
- ½" sheet of MDF ($8.50)
- Lazy Susan hardware ($4-$9)
- 8 screws
- Paint
Tools
- Jigsaw
- Drill
Instructions
- Mark a circle on your MDF with pencil.
- Cut the circle out with a jigsaw.
- Prime and paint what will be the top portion of the Lazy Susan.
- Flip the circle over so you're working on the underside and find the centre. Mark it.
- Place your Lazy Susan hardware over the centre mark and screw it into place. You will be screwing only the part of the hardware that is in direct contact with the circle of MDF.
- Find the large circle on the hardware and mark it on the board underneath with a pencil. Drill a hole big enough for your screwdriver's head to fit through.
- Flip your Lazy Susan so it is right side up and place it where you want it to go (probably on a shelf.)
- Turn the Lazy Susan until your screwdriver access hole aligns with a hole on the hardware. Screw in a screw. Repeat this for all 4 screwing points on the hardware.
- You're done!
Notes
Circular lazy susan hardware is very similar and installed in a similar way.
1, 2x4 sheet of MDF will get you 2, 22" Lazy Susans.
Cost per Lazy Susan will be apx. $8 each.
Recommended Products
I'm an Amazon affiliate some I get a few cents when you buy something I've linked to.
And that's all there is to it. I made 7 of these for my kitchen. The cost of each will be slightly less than $8 for you if you make smaller Lazy Susans.
To any Susans who are upset that their name is associated with laziness - just be happy your name isn't Karen.
→Follow me on Instagram where I often make a fool of myself←
You did not show yourself with your head inside a cabinet with no clearance trying to find the screw hole in the hardware to drop the screw into...
I made a "D" shaped turntable. The flat part goes to the front so the door closes and the circle can be larger. I used cardboard as a template.
That's smart! ~ karen
Can I make one to put 65 inch TV on and attach it to a half wall??? And what would I need to do differently???
OK, I'm pretty sure I've figured out the whole lazy Susan thing, seems simple enough ...... but which are the MOST effective rubber snakes to throw? Rattlesnake, cobras, snakes in the grass? Inquiring minds want to know and are too lazy to look it up on Google.... or Amazon.ca
OK, I did just look on Amazon.ca, hoo boy, they sure do carry a whole bunch of 'em. NO, I'm not buying any to send out as gifts.
Ha! I was already preparing myself by planning to fill my P.O. Box with mice. ~ karen!
Always a cobra. Always. ~ karen!
Hmmmmm - cobras you say????? Perhaps a stuffed mongoose as well? They don't bite as much as real ones.
Hi, Karen, Ikea actually sells some pretty large turntables (respecting the Susans of the world) but they are certainly not as cheap and it is great to be able to make them just the right size.
I am not mechanically gifted. I reread your instructions and I think I’ve figured out that you have already answered my questions - I simply need to adapt to the different configuration. Your instructions could not be more clear and illustrative. However, some like me, need to pay closer attention and perhaps read through again to master the content. You very well might make DIYers out of all your fans. Thank you, Karen. Your postings are the highlight of my days.🥰
Glad you figured it out Mary. :) ~ karen!
I would like to make a really big free standing turntable. Will the hardware include whatever is needed to attach the top part to a bottom support? I need to know how to go about attaching the two pieces. Thanks, Karen.
I had to purchase wood screws separately
Thanks so much. I just made two for my kitchen. I did 22” and followed your directions. So easy. I just love them. I’m only 5’ so I now can easily access things. You are a genius! Love your blog!
That's great! I'm so glad you made them and did it so quickly! Usually if you don't do something right away, you don't end up doing it, lol. :) ~ karen!
Another option for anyone not ready to commit. (Apartment renters, not decided on location yet). instead of screwing it to the cabinet floor, make a rectangle of plywood that is (almost0 the size of the cabinet floor and screw it to that.
I hope someone hasn't written this idea before me but I didn't want to spend the time to read all the comments. Sometimes you may have a cupboard that is wider than it is deep. To make a lazy susan for that space you can cut a segment off the front of the circle and mount it far enough forward so it will turn and still be able to shut the door when the flat segment is forward. Also there are various sizes of bearings and if you use a larger one you will not have to keep the sides balanced as well. I hope this makes sense to you. I am not a blogger.
Brilliant!
Yes that makes a lot of sense!!!
Could you just use the top from one of those decorator tables that have three legs and one throws a table cloth over....?
I might try this to make a double decker one. We have a cheap plastic one we keep spices on. they are short bottles, less than half the height of the cabinet. Problem is sometimes bottles hide in the middle. I would solve this by mounting a column in the center to attach the upper shelf to. You could make a nice boxy thing, but I think a 4x4 would work fine. Nothing heavy is going on top. A thinner material would be adequate, too, say 1/4" plywood. Might make it hard to reach the rear mounting screw hole, but I think 3 would be enough.
I love lazy susans. Thanks for your clear explanation of how to put more of them in my life. :-)