The good news about loving spices is that your food will always be chef’s kiss good. The bad news about loving spices is that sometimes you don’t know how to stop. After a short while, your spice cabinet will be a chaotic jumble of half-used jars and mysterious packets.
An avalanche of spices every time you reach for the paprika is a special kind of kitchen frustration. It’s time to bring order to the chaos and transform your spice collection from a source of stress into a streamlined culinary arsenal. Here are some clever organization ideas that will help you find a system that works for your space and cooking style, no matter the size of your kitchen.
1. Use a Lazy Susan for Easy Access
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There is nothing lazy about the humble lazy Susan. She works hard; the rotating tray is perfect for corner cabinets or deep shelves where items tend to get lost in the back. A quick spin brings everything into view, so you can find what you need without having to excavate the entire cabinet. They are fantastic for locating precisely what you need without pulling out every spice you own.
Quick Look:
- Why it’s a good option: It makes use of awkward corner cabinet space and prevents spices from being forgotten. The rotating design gives you a clear view of your entire collection instantly.
- Best For: Corner cabinets, deep pantry shelves, or even countertops.
- Pro Tip: Get a multi-level or tiered lazy Susan to double your storage capacity. Group spices by type (baking, grilling, everyday) on different levels for even faster retrieval.
- Care: Wipe it down with a damp cloth periodically to catch any stray spice dust.
2. Install a Tiered Rack in Your Cabinet
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If you must keep your spices inside a standard cabinet, a tiered rack is an effective solution. Instead of lining up jars on one level where you can only see the front row, this setup elevates the jars in the back. It instantly improves visibility, allowing you to see your entire collection at a glance. You will find you can store much more this way.
Quick Look:
- Why it’s a good option: It maximizes vertical space within a cabinet and makes it incredibly easy to see every spice you have, preventing duplicate purchases.
- Best For: Standard kitchen cabinets and pantry shelves.
- Pro Tip: Measure your cabinet height and depth before purchasing to get a rack that fits perfectly. Some are expandable to fit wider cabinets.
- Care: The racks are simple to remove and wipe clean when needed.
3. Customize a Spice Drawer Organizer
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Drawers are a fantastic place to store spices, but they can quickly become a rolling mess. A dedicated drawer organizer keeps everything neat and tidy. You can find pre-made liners or build a simple custom insert to fit your drawer perfectly. Lying the jars down with labels facing up means you can see your entire collection in one view.
Why it’s a good option: It keeps spices close to your prep area and utilizes drawer space that might otherwise go unused. The labels-up approach is incredibly efficient for grabbing what you need.
Quick Look:
- Best For: A drawer near the stove or main food prep counter.
- Pro Tip: Use a paint pen or a label maker to put labels on the lids of your spice jars for top-down visibility. This makes it even easier to spot the right one.
- Care: Remove the organizer and wipe down the drawer and the insert itself to keep it clean from spice residue.
4. Repurpose Baby Food Jars
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If you have a little one at home, you might have a mountain of empty baby food jars. Instead of tossing them, upcycle them into a uniform set of spice containers. They are a great size for holding spices, and you can easily create a cohesive look by painting the lids and adding custom labels.
Quick Look:
- Why it’s a good option: This is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to create a matching set of spice jars. It keeps glass out of the landfill and gives your pantry a neat, uniform appearance.
- Best For: Anyone looking for a budget-friendly DIY project.
- Pro Tip: Use a spray paint formulated for metal to get a durable and even finish on the lids. Chalkboard paint is a great option for easily rewritable labels.
- Care: The glass jars are dishwasher safe, making them simple to clean before you fill them with spices.
5. Use Metal Tins for a Magnetic Option
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Small metal tins offer a sleek and stackable storage solution. You can attach magnets to the bottom and stick them to the side of your fridge, a magnetic board on the wall, or even the inside of a cabinet door. This frees up valuable counter and cabinet space.
Quick Look:
- Why it’s a good option: This method utilizes vertical surfaces and is great for small kitchens. Many tins come with clear lids, so you can see the spice inside.
- Best For: Small kitchens or anyone wanting to add a decorative and functional element to their wall or fridge.
- Pro Tip: If stacking, place your most-used spices on top of the stack for easy access. For a magnetic board, arrange them alphabetically or by frequency of use.
- Care: Wipe the tins with a dry cloth. Avoid getting them wet to prevent rust.
6. Build a DIY Spice Rack from Cooling Racks
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For a truly clever and low-cost solution, you can fashion spice racks out of dollar-store cooling racks. With a bit of bending and twisting, these simple wire racks can be transformed into functional shelves that mount to the inside of a pantry door or on a small section of wall.
Quick Look:
- Why it’s a good option: It is an extremely affordable DIY project that puts unused space, like the back of a door, to good use. The result is a surprisingly sturdy and effective storage rack.
- Best For: Renters or anyone on a tight budget.
- Pro Tip: Use small zip ties or sturdy mounting tape to secure the racks to the door. Make sure you have enough clearance for the racks when the door closes.
- Care: Simply wipe the wire racks clean as needed.
7. Organize with Wire Baskets
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Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. Grouping spices into small wire baskets can bring immediate order to a messy cabinet. You can create categories like “Baking Spices,” “Everyday Seasonings,” or “Taco Night” and just pull out the entire bin when you need it.
Quick Look:
- Why it’s a good option: This system is flexible and requires no installation. It’s easy to pull a whole bin out, find what you need, and put it back, rather than rummaging through individual bottles. It also contains any messes from loose garlic skins or spilled powders.
- Best For: Pantries and deep cabinets where you can group like items.
- Pro Tip: Label the front of each bin so you know what’s inside without having to pull it out. Stackable bins are great for maximizing vertical space.
- Care: The bins are easy to remove and wash out with soap and water.
8. Go Rustic with an Old Crate
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A vintage wooden crate can add a touch of rustic charm to your kitchen while serving as a functional spice holder. Look for old soda crates, small fruit crates, or even build your own. They can sit on a counter or be mounted to a wall for a beautiful and practical display.
Quick Look:
- Why it’s a good option: It doubles as decor, adding character and warmth to your kitchen. It’s a great way to repurpose a thrift-store find.
- Best For: Kitchens with a farmhouse, rustic, or eclectic style.
- Pro Tip: If the crate is deep, add a small block of wood or an insert to raise the back row of spices so you can see them. Consider adding labels to the tops of the jars.
- Care: Wipe with a dry cloth. If it’s an old crate, you may want to seal it with a food-safe finish to make it easier to clean.
9. Create a Slim Rolling Rack
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If you have a narrow gap between your fridge and the wall, or between two cabinets, a slim sliding spice rack is a brilliant way to store spices without cluttering your kitchen. These rolling carts are designed to fit into tight spaces and can hold a surprising number of spices. Just roll it out when you need something and tuck it away when you are done.
Quick Look:
- Why it’s a good option: It utilizes otherwise wasted space in a small kitchen. It keeps your spices organized and accessible but completely out of sight.
- Best For: Small or galley kitchens with awkward gaps.
- Pro Tip: Measure the gap’s width and height carefully before buying. Look for a cart that has railings on the shelves to prevent jars from toppling over when you move it.
- Care: The wheels and shelves can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
10. Mount Shelves Under Upper Cabinets
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The space underneath your upper kitchen cabinets is often underutilized. Installing slim, shallow shelves here creates the perfect home for your most-used spices. They will be right at your fingertips while you cook, but off the main countertop.
Quick Look:
- Why it’s a good option: This keeps essential spices within arm’s reach during cooking. It frees up counter space and looks sleek and professional.
- Best For: Cooks who want their go-to spices readily accessible.
- Pro Tip: Use uniform jars for a clean, organized look. You can also install a small lip or rail on the shelf to stop jars from getting knocked off.
- Care: These shelves may get splattered during cooking, so wipe them down regularly.
11. Build a Dedicated Spice Cabinet
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If you are a serious cook with an extensive spice collection, you might need a dedicated storage space. Consider building or buying a shallow cabinet to attach to the end of your existing cabinetry or hang on a wall. A see-through door allows you to see your inventory easily. When you need to stock up your pantry and there isn’t much space, build the space.
Quick Look:
- Why it’s a good option: It provides a huge amount of storage for large spice collections without taking up primary cabinet space. It can be a beautiful custom feature in your kitchen.
- Best For: Avid home cooks and bakers with a lot of spices.
- Pro Tip: Adjustable shelves will allow you to accommodate spice jars of different heights. A glass or plexiglass door panel makes it easy to see what you have.
- Care: Clean the exterior and interior as you would any other kitchen cabinet.
12. Use Drawer Liners for Stability
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For those who store spices in a drawer, a spiceliner is a must. This soft, foam-like insert has angled troughs that cradle your spice jars, stopping them from rolling around every time you open or close the drawer. It transforms a chaotic drawer into a perfectly organized system.
Quick Look:
- Why it’s a good option: It’s a simple, drop-in solution that requires no tools. It protects your jars and keeps them neatly aligned for easy reading of labels.
- Best For: Anyone using a drawer for spice storage.
- Pro Tip: Most liners can be easily trimmed with scissors to get a perfect, custom fit for any drawer size.
- Care: The liner can be removed and shaken out or wiped down to clean up any spilled spices.
13. Create a Test Tube Spice Rack
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For a truly unique and scientific look, consider storing your spices in test tubes. This method is perfect for small quantities of potent or less-frequently used spices. A wooden block with drilled holes can hold the test tubes upright on a counter or mounted to the wall.
Quick Look:
- Why it’s a good option: It offers a minimalist and visually interesting display. It’s ideal for small living spaces like an RV or a dorm room where you don’t need full-sized spice containers.
- Best For: People with small kitchens or those who appreciate a unique, modern aesthetic.
- Pro Tip: Use a small funnel to fill the test tubes without making a mess. Create small labels for the tubes or a corresponding chart for identification.
- Care: The glass tubes can be cleaned with a small bottle brush.
14. Organize Seasoning Packets in a Bin
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Don’t forget about all those seasoning packets for tacos, chili, and gravy. They can create a lot of clutter. A simple, small bin or a photo storage box is the perfect size for standing them up like files. You can easily flip through them to find the one you need.
Quick Look:
- Why it’s a good option: It corrals flimsy packets that are hard to stack and easy to lose. It keeps them all in one designated spot.
- Best For: Anyone who uses seasoning packets regularly.
- Pro Tip: Organize the packets by category (e.g., gravies, marinades, Tex-Mex) within the bin for even faster searching.
- Care: The plastic bins can be easily washed.
15. Upcycle an Orange Crate
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A rustic wooden orange crate can be transformed into a simple and effective spice box. With a little sanding and maybe a coat of paint or a stencil, it becomes a one-of-a-kind storage solution. It’s large enough to hold many jars and can be placed on a counter or a deep pantry shelf.
Quick Look:
- Why it’s a good option: It’s another great DIY project that repurposes an item into something both charming and useful.
- Best For: Adding a rustic, personalized touch to your kitchen.
- Pro Tip: If you have many spices, you can use multiple crates and line them up on a shelf. Add labels to the tops of your jars so you can see what’s inside when looking down into the crate.
- Care: Dust it regularly and wipe up spills promptly.
Getting Started
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With your spices finally organized, you can cook more efficiently and with less frustration. The first step is to take everything out of your current spice location. Go through each jar, check expiration dates, and combine any duplicates. Once you have a clear inventory, you can choose the storage solution that best fits your kitchen’s layout and your personal style. A little effort now will make every future meal preparation a more pleasant experience.