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Are your spice storage containers unorganized and hard to find? Stop searching! Use these clever spice storage ideas to keep your spices fresh and easily accessible.
I love organizing, and one of my very favorite things to do is restore order to a jumbled mess. If you have the proper tools, it’s easy and very satisfying. These spice organization ideas are all simple to do, but they may take a little time. It’s definitely time well-spent, and worth every minute!
What is the Best Way to Store Spices?
- Keep your spices in airtight containers. This will prevent moisture, and keep the spices fresh.
- Store spice containers away from light. If it’s convenient to store your spices behind a cabinet door or on a pantry shelf, glass jars are perfect. If not, it’s best to store them in metal containers with airtight lids.
- Don’t store spices in the refrigerator. The cool temperature in the fridge provides a moist atmosphere, and moisture will ruin your spices.
How Long Do Spices Last?
The answer to this question varies. It can be anywhere from 1 year to 3 years. The very best way to know if your spices are fresh is to keep track of the expiration date on the original packaging. If you are transferring the spices to glass or metal containers, use a small label on the bottom of the container to note the expiration date. These removable round labels work perfectly.
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Spice Drawer Organization
If your cabinet storage space is overflowing, and you have a kitchen drawer to spare, I think these spice drawer organization ideas are brilliant. This method saves countertop and cabinet space. The jars make it so easy to find what you want, and they are super simple to access. And you have to admit, they look beautiful!
1.) My Very Own Spice Drawer!
When we moved to our current home, I wasn’t sure where I wanted my spices to be stored, so they ended up in a tall kitchen cabinet with pull-out drawers. I knew it wasn’t practical, but I lived with it for over a year!
get the labels
Just last month, I finally reorganized everything in the kitchen, and somehow ended up with an empty drawer right across from the stove. I immediately ordered a spice drawer insert, and the end result is amazing. Spice drawer organizers are reasonably priced, and there is no installation. I just placed it in the drawer, filled the jars, and in hardly any time at all, I had a lovely and orderly spice drawer.
Spice Drawer Tips
- Make sure to measure the length and width of your drawer carefully. Spice drawer inserts come in different sizes, and some of them are even adjustable.
- If your drawer insert moves around, anchor it to the bottom of the drawer with this Museum Gel.
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2.) Like most of us, Molly, from Almost Makes Perfect, always fantasized about having organized spices, and she was so happy when her dream finally came true! She loves the end result because all of her spices are fresh, and in perfect order.
3.) Melissa, from Polished Habitat, actually shows her spice drawer before the organization project…and it’s a stunning transformation. She shows you how to make your own Cricut labels, and she also shares the source for the clear drawer insert.
4.) Sara, from Rocky Hedge Farm, created her own spice storage system, and you might be surprised where she got her inspiration! Storing herbs in small mason jars is the perfect way to keep them fresh, accessible, and it takes up very little space.
5.) Kelley Nan: If you don’t want to transfer your spices from their original containers to different jars, they can still be beautifully organized in a spice cabinet. Kelley Nan shows you how.
6.) Jen Woodhouse decided enough was enough, and organized her spices in large jars on acrylic shelves. She loves the way it turned out, and shares her sources in case you want to do it yourself!
7.) Home Made Lovely: Shannon, from Home Made Lovely, added a DIY spice rack as a finishing touch to an extensive kitchen renovation. She shows you how she accomplished this using IKEA picture ledges and small canning jars. Shannon’s spice rack makes the glass spice bottles so easy to grab, and it eliminates kitchen clutter.
8.) Jessica Welling Interiors: Jessica shows you exactly how to make a generously-sized magnetic spice rack, and she even shows how to install it on a tile backsplash. Magnetic spice jars or magnetic tins are a great way to keep your spices handy, yet out of the way.
9.) When you have a small kitchen, organization is the key to making sure everything you need has a home. A spice storage rack or basket can be hung above kitchen counters, on a pantry wall, or on an easily accessible kitchen wall. Wendi, from H2O Bungalow, has a storage basket solution for organizing spices in a small kitchen that’s easy to install, and very functional.
10.) Anderson + Grant: Jamie has printable spice labels that are available in either a round or square design. They are the perfect custom touch to your glass or metal spice storage containers!
How to Arrange Your Spices
This is definitely a personal choice, but the arrangment that makes the most sense, and is the easiest to maintain, is alphabetical order. Another method is to arrange your spices in groups, according to how they are used.
More Spice Storage Solutions
- Attach a spice rack to the back of your pantry door.
- Use a lazy susan inside a cupboard or closet.
- Store your spices in test tubes on a custom rack.
- Purchase a countertop wood spice rack. (If you have ample counter space.)
- Use a handy rotating spice rack.
If your spices need attention, I hope these spice storage ideas have inspired you to tackle the job, and restore order. I promise, you will feel incredible!
I use an over the door rack inside my pantry door. I’ve contemplated uniform bottles and determined it’s not for me. The overstock dilemma really stressed me out! When I can, I buy organic uniform bottles from my grocery store, but for spices and herbs I use a lot, a bigger container is called for! I’ve organized and labelled each tray on that unit…one tray for green herbs, one for red spices, one for blends, etc. I use a turntable on one of the pantry shelves for the “sweet” spices for baking. My husband’s sister lives with us, and we were missing things after she’d cook and nothing was organized, I was buying lots of duplicates. I labelled the trays in French and English and keep her out of the kitchen as much as possible!
Thank you for posting so many different and helpful ways to store spices. You mention you transferred your spices to jars which keeps them handy, but they only hold so much. Where are you storing the original packages with the remaining spices?
Hi Joan…I purchased the 3 oz. bottles so I had hardly anything left over. It worked out well!
At least you only lived with yours in the upper cabinet for about a year. I lived with mine this way for over 20 years! I got so tired of looking for the one I needed. Finally I was cleaning out drawers to get rid of items I NEVER used and magically, the drawer next to the cooktop was available. I ordered the drawer shelf spacers and off I went. It is so nice to have everything right where I need it, all alphabetically ordered. What a huge difference! I smile every time I open this drawer. Thanks for this article, very helpful!
All great ideas!
I enjoyed seeing how you and others have organized their spices!! I already have the bottles you used and they are labeled and lying flat in my drawer. I only placed them ‘6 bottles wide’ because they are flat and I have to have some space to wiggle in between to lift them. I measured and I can used the same rack that you used so I ordered it and I will be delighted to have them on an angle, plus it will allow me to get 4 additional bottles in the drawer. Thank you for this great post and all the lovely printable you have available! Love your blog! Debra
I copied your spice drawer idea, and love it. Unfortunately, my drawer is much smaller than yours, but it’s working. Love your home and enjoy the many decorating and organizing ideas I have gained from your blog. Thank you.
Ann, thanks for all the great ideas! I currently have my spices in acrylic bins above my counter because I don’t have any drawers that would work. A few years ago, I splurged and bought square spice bottles from Amazon. The square size means no wasted space. I put round labels on the top so when I take the bin down, I can see what is what. The problem is the labels seem to come off eventually. I had not heard of the Avery removable labels. I will definitely check them out.
This is a great post! I am an alphabetical arranger. In our winter home space is limited indeed (actually part of why I love it). My spices are arranged but dry goods remain a challenge. There is a reason for that. I love vintage orange,green, yellow Tupperware canisters and haven’t yet found all I need! The search is fun though.
I keep my often-used spices on a turntable on a lower shelf, and less-used on the shelf above.
I have a drawer next to my oven to store spices, but often they get out of place, like kids on a playground! Adding large labels and expiration dates to each container is going to save me a few headaches. Also alphabetizing them will get meals on the table much quicker…thank you!
Awesome ideas!
I’m going into the kitchen to check the dates on my spices 😆 usually they don’t last a long time but I bet there are a few lurking that need to be gone!
So many wonderful ideas! Love the idea of putting the expiration date on the bottoms of the spice jars! I’ll have to start doing that the next time I buy a new spice.
Okay now I need to re-think my spice closet. 😊. So many good ideas !
Oh my! Now I’m super excited to redo my spices!
I love love love the cabinet with the bottles all the same size and uniformed labeled I’m doing it!!! No more digging past old outdated bottles and having them fall on me while I try to find the one I want. Thanks for this great and easy to do idea!!!
My husband built a rack on our pantry door for spices. It has been great since we don’t have a lot of space.
I recently went through my spices and never realized that I had some really old ones, needless to say I threw them out and will replace them if they are needed in the future….
With a cabinet full of spices these are helpful ways to organize them.
My daughter had a spice rack that I loved so I bought one. Working out great for me. It sits in your cabinet in a “U” shape, 2 levels high and it is so easy to see everything. I love it!
Love the mason jar spice collection
Thanks for the storage ideas! I use a “lazy Susan” for my spices, which works really well.
Ann,
This was helpful. I recently reorganized my spice drawer and I’ve used many of the ideas you gave us. It’s fun to see how people organize their kitchens. It’s one of my favorite rooms in the house.
Karen B.
A few years back I transferred all my spices to small jars with white lids for my kitchen drawer…best thing I ever did! I do like the door racks or the wooden drawer racks too. I found that placing a year date on the bottom helps to keep things fresh as I don’t bake as much as I used to.
Great post Ann!
This is why I love to read your blog, you give us great information and tips about so many different subjects. Thank you!
Great ideas but I do have a question. Is it okay to store spices next to your stove? I had read that it’s a bad idea, however, it is most convenient.
Hi Sandi…I too have read that it’s a bad idea. Supposedly the heat from the stove decreases the spice shelf life. However, if you use your spices quickly, I don’t think it would be an issue. Good luck!
I have more spices than can fit in my spice drawer! Pretty funny for someone who doesn’t even like to cook!
Great ideas! Thanks
I recently reorganized my spices and cupboards, inspired by one of your posts. It’s so satisfying and January is a great month for it. Thanks for inspiring me to get the new year off to a good start!
Having so much trouble commenting. Is this an old blog post? I was told I had already posted on it. I have not.
Hi Dee…no, this is a brand new post! You did comment already though…you shared a tip about buying spices in small amounts. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. I actually didn’t know that comments were limited to one. I will definitely look into that. Thank you, Ann
Buy spices in small amounts. And I believe ‘red’ spices are more likely to attract or already have insects and eggs in them. Another reason to buy smallest amounts.
I tried responding to support the idea to buy the spices in smaller amounts (but it didn’t organize the reply correctly). I know that many of my grocery stores have a bulk spice section that you can buy what you need. I love going to Whole Foods and filling a tiny little bag with just enough curry powder to last a month. That would satisfy my OCD about storing the overstock too!
Love the sticker on the bottom idea. Will be doing that this week.
I also started marking my canned goods with a permanent marker on top. This way the exp date is visible. My fav all time spice organizer…I just don’t like giving up more than a drawer
Thanks for the inspiring ideas.
HI Ann, Thank you for the great ideas! Perfect time of year to organize! I have a garage I need to tackle today! xo laura
Hi Ann,
What a good idea to add the expiration date to the bottom of jars you’ve transferred spices into! (I recently wrote about spice storage on my blog, but I didn’t mention that, even though I often buy bulk spices!)
BTW, amber jars are another good option (besides metal) for jars that are stored in the light.
Happy cooking!
You’re posts are right in line with my to do list! I’ve gotten some great ideas for my first area to organize- the kitchen!