Spice Organization 101: How to Store Spices Like a Pro This Holiday Season (& Anytime!)
As a professional organizer, I can tell you one of the most overlooked (yet most-used!) areas of the kitchen is the spice collection. It sneaks up on you—tiny jars tucked into cabinets, duplicates from grocery trips, expired seasonings hiding in the back… until suddenly, you’re standing in the middle of making a recipe, and you can’t find the cumin you know you just bought.
With the holidays around the corner—full of cooking, baking, and entertaining—this is the perfect time to set up a functional, beautiful spice system that makes your kitchen run smoother. Not only will this save you stress while cooking, but it also elevates your everyday routine year-round.
Let’s dive into the steps, products we love, and why now is the time to tackle your spice organization!
Step 1: Pull Everything Out
The first step is always to take inventory. Pull every single spice out of the cabinet, drawer, or shelf where it lives. You’ll likely be surprised by:
Duplicates (hello, three bottles of cinnamon).
Expired spices (yes, all spices lose potency over time!)
Half-empty jars that could easily be consolidated.
This step alone often cuts down the clutter by half.
Step 2: Sort + Declutter
Next, sort spices alphabetically or into categories for better day-to-day function. We prefer the following categories:
Everyday spices you use constantly (salt, pepper, garlic powder).
Baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice).
Specialty or rarely used items (saffron, cloves).
Check expiration dates, toss what’s no longer fresh, and consolidate duplicates into one container. This ensures you only keep what you actually use.
Step 3: Choose Your Storage Style
Now comes the fun part: deciding where and how to store your spices so they’re functional and easy to find. Here are three tried-and-true options we recommend:
Option 1: Drawer Storage
Our favorite option if you have a shallow drawer near the stove.
Use an in-drawer spice insert (like bamboo tiered trays) to keep jars angled and visible at a glance.
Every spice is labeled, upright, and easy to grab.
Option 2: Cabinet Doors
Perfect if drawer space is limited.
Use a pull-out cabinet spice rack or adhesive bins for cabinet doors
Keeps everything at eye level and prevents jars from hiding in the back.
Option 3: Cabinet Tiered System
Ideal for storing spices in an upper cabinet when drawer space isn’t available.
Use a tiered spice riser to elevate jars at different heights, keeping every label visible and within reach.
Maximizes vertical space and prevents spices from getting lost or hidden in the back.
Option 4: Countertop Display (minimalist style)
A sleek rotating spice rack or magnetic spice jars can double as storage and decor.
Ideal for displaying your most-used spices while keeping them easily accessible during cooking.
Keep the look cohesive by using matching jars and simple, uniform labels for a clean, elevated feel.
Step 4: Decant & Label
This step elevates spice storage from functional to beautiful. We love using uniform spice jars with labels because:
They save space compared to mismatched branded containers.
They look cohesive and polished.
Labels ensure no guessing mid-recipe.
Pro tip: Go with clear glass jars and minimal labels—easy to clean and timeless.
Step 5: Maintain the System
The beauty of a well-set-up system is how easy it is to maintain. A few tips:
Do a quick check every 6 months for expired spices.
Refill jars from bulk containers or replace as needed.
Always return spices to their “home” after cooking.
Systems We Love
Here are a few client-favorite products that make spice organization simple and beautiful:
All things considered…
Taking the time to organize your spices now is one of those small but mighty projects that makes your kitchen—and your life—run more smoothly. With a clear system, you’ll cut down on clutter, find what you need in seconds, and cook with less stress (and more flavor).
The best part? An organized spice collection sets the tone for the rest of your kitchen. When your spices are in order, meal prep feels easier, holiday baking becomes more fun, and everyday routines flow with less frustration.
If you’re ready to start the holiday season with a kitchen that truly works for you, there’s no better time than now. And if you’d love a professional to guide you through the process, our team is here to help you set up systems that last—so you can focus on enjoying the season, not stressing over it.
