How to Organize Spices & Reduce Clutter
Tame your collection and discover how to organize spices.
When you are cooking, the last thing you want to do is to rifle through scores of bottles to find the right spice. Locating what you need when you need it is imperative whether you are new to the culinary world or a seasoned chef. Storing spices correctly can help to improve the flow and efficiency of your kitchen and make all the difference in your cooking endeavors. Save yourself time and trouble by getting all of your spices and seasonings in order with the best spice storage containers, spice racks, and spice organizers. Once you know how to organize spices, you will be able to free up pantry and cupboard space, clear up counters, and bring order to your kitchen drawers.
In This Guide:
How to Organize Spices
Tips for Organizing Spices
Best Spice Racks & Organization Ideas
How to Organize Spices
Organizing your spices will help you find exactly what you are looking for without having to dig through a jumble of jars. Start with the jars themselves to help you get an idea of the type of storage vessels you need.
Spice Jars
Just as important as the spice racks are the vessels you keep them in. These can depend on the type of rack and aesthetic you are looking for. Plastic, glass, or metal – all can work just as well. Use spice labels if your jars don't already have them. You can arrange your spices alphabetically, by sweet or savory, or by most frequently used. There is no right or wrong way to do it.
Spice Rack Type
Spice racks afford you order and easy access to your seasonings. The type of rack you choose will depend on your kitchen layout and storage availability.
Revolving Spice Racks: Make it easy to select your favorite herbs and spices with a revolving spice rack. These rotating spice racks take up minimal counter space, store numerous bottles, and give you 360° access to your well-organized seasonings.
Drawer-Insert Spice Racks: If you have drawer space to spare, a drawer-insert spice rack will help keep all your spices neatly ordered and in plain view. These spice organizers also help to keep your bottles from rolling around every time you open and close the drawer.
Pulldown Spice Racks: Many pulldown spice racks require some sort of installation. These spice racks work similarly to a drawer in that they often have a tray or rack that is set on gliders and which can be pulled out to give you access to your spices.
Corner-Design Spice Racks: Corner-design spice racks are made to fit on countertops without taking up too much space, while still offering ample spice storage. Some corner-design spice racks are crafted as triangles with a 90° angle so they can slot perfectly into a corner, while others simply sit snugly against a wall.
Before you can discover how to organize spices, you will first need to take stock of your current seasoning collection.
- Start by getting rid of any spices that have expired or have lost their color or scent. If a spice no longer has an aroma, it's time to throw it out.
- Once you have inventoried your spices, consider where you plan to store them: in a cupboard, in a drawer, on a wall-mounted rack, or on a counter.
- Select an organizational system that works best for you while optimizing the space you have.
- Store your spices away from the oven or stove, as the heat can cause them to degrade at a quicker rate.
- If you buy your spices in bulk, you can decant them into your spice jars while storing the rest in airtight containers.
If you are wondering how to organize spices in a drawer, the Prep & Savour 4-Tier Acrylic Spice Drawer Organizer is the perfect solution to easily classify and organize all your spices. There is no installation required – simply slot the four individual tiers/steps inside your drawers with the labels facing up so that you have a clear view of your collection. The acrylic material of this spice organizer is light, durable, and easy to clean, helping you combat clutter while keeping your spices nicely in place each time you open the drawer.
If you are simply looking for spice jars, consider the Rebrilliant Chalkboard-Label Spice Jar Set to make your spice stack visually pleasing. These 12 BPA-free, dishwasher-safe glass bottles give you a clear view of their contents so that you can easily identify your favorite spices. Just in case you need an additional way to identify your seasonings, their chalkboard-style lids make labelling and relabelling a breeze.
If you are looking for a spice organizer project, consider installing the Prep & Savour Pullout Spice Rack Organizer. Keep your condiments from falling out of the cupboard with the smooth-gliding steel and chrome drawers that can hold both round and square containers of different sizes. This spice rack is ideal for tight spaces and narrow cupboards, as the screw-mounted rails hold two shelves to help you declutter your kitchen counters and maximize cupboard space.
When you are cooking, you want to be able to easily grab the spices that you need without having to rifle through your entire collection. The Prep & Savour Refrigerator-Side 15-Jar Spice Rack hangs over your refrigerator, maximizing storage and utilizing a space that would otherwise go unused. The three railed shelves offer an ultra-convenient way to store spices and keep your bottles from falling out. Made of a high-quality wood-plastic composite, this spice organizer is long-lasting, sturdy, and easily matches most decor styles.
If you are wondering how to organize spices effortlessly, the KitchenArt 12-Spice Jar & Rack Set (spices not included) ticks all the boxes. This genius spice organizer not only stands on the countertop, but it can also be mounted under a cabinet. It is also possible to double-stack these organizers, and with their 55 included spice labels and spinning carousel design, you will always be able to find the seasoning you are looking for with ease. Not only does this spice rack clear visual clutter, but each 4.5 oz. canister automatically measures 1/4 teaspoon with each click, giving you the perfect portion every time. You can also opt to remove the individual bottles and shake your spices manually if you wish. This versatile and space-saving spice organizer seems like it comes straight from the future.
Update your spice organizers with the Prep & Savor 12 Magnetic Spice Tins With Wall-Mounted Spice Rack. These 12 3 oz. spice jars come with magnetic backing which can be placed on the wall-mounted base or any other flat metal surface (like a refrigerator). Perfect for compact kitchens, they offer a convenient way to organize your spices while taking up minimal space. The clear lids and 120 spice labels help you find your desired spices in no time, while the rotating design of the lids offers both sift (four small holes) and pour (one large hole) options so you can easily season your meals.
Figuring out how to organize spices in crowded cabinets doesn't have to be difficult. If you have limited cabinet space, consider the ClosetMaid Platinum 15-Jar Spice Rack.
Make use of every inch of your pantry by screwing this spice rack to the inside of your cupboard door and keep your favorite flavors within arm’s reach. This rack can also be mounted on a wall if you prefer. The platinum finish of the wire shelves is durable and scratch-resistant, able to keep your seasoning collection in order for a long time to come.
If you are in search of easy vertical storage, the Prep & Savour Wall-Mounted 4-Tier Stackable Spice Shelf can help to reduce visual clutter while displaying all of your favorite herbs. These shelves can hold up to 36 6 oz. jars or 32 8 oz. jars, giving you a clear and quick view of your spices so you don't have to search for the one you need. Whether you choose to stack all four shelves together or spread them out, this spice organizer can be mounted anywhere from your kitchen walls to the pantry door. When you aren't using them, these carbon steel shelves can be removed and folded to stack away in a smaller space.
The Prodyne Tower Carousel 12-Jar & Rack Set is an attractive spice organizer. These cleverly crafted acrylic containers stack upwards upon one another, forming towers from one of three slots in a revolving base. Each 5 oz. canister is entirely self-contained, with a lid that screws off to allow you to shake out the spices. The unique interlocking design of its lid keeps the goods securely in place, while the revolving base affords you a clear view of your favorite herbs and spices.
Learning how to organize spices helps you make the most of your space. The Latitude Run® 3-Jar Spice Rack is a multifunctional magnetic spice organizer that can help you clear clutter in no time. This large fridge magnet requires no installation and can keep your countertops clear and tidy in more ways than one. It can also be placed on any other magnetic surfaces. The two shelves can hold spices, while the dual towel holders can accommodate paper towels or dish towels and the removable hooks can hold various cooking utensils; the entire thing weighs up to 45 lbs. in total. Maximize your space effortlessly with this spice rack.
Now that you know how to organize spices, you use a curated yet polished spice rack to say goodbye to a crowded kitchen.
