My previous kitchen was small, so I wanted some vertical space to store my jar collection (on a shelf hanging above the counter) and spices (on a magnetic board screwed to the side of the cabinet). I had to use it.
I’m in a slightly larger kitchen now and have the opposite problem. Lots of drawers and cabinets, but no vertical space for storage.
For someone who keeps over 80 herbs and spices on hand, this is an organizational challenge. But I came up with a simple DIY spice drawer that doesn’t require you to build wooden racks or inserts or buy more ill-fitting trays that don’t make the most of your space.
It’s a neat, elegant, and functional system for labeling, storing, and categorizing all your containers, and it’s such an easy project that I had to share it. (Also, I’m a big organization geek, so I’m sure there are others like me?!)
I’ve been using this system for 7 years now and the main question I get from people is: Will I do the same in my next home?
yes!
(Updated October 2024: We are now in our forever home with a brand new custom kitchen. In fact, we still use it. Read more below.)
Even if your kitchen is a mess and your sink is full of dirty dishes, your spice drawer will always be a calming place that will make cooking fun again. Here’s how you, too, can improve.
Disclosure: If you shop from my articles or make a purchase through one of my links, I may receive a commission on some of the products I recommend.
It all starts with the perfect spice jar
I like the simple one-piece lid on these jars because it gives me more control over how much I pour (I often have to pry off the top of the shaker on other spice jars, which is a pain).
A narrow measuring spoon fits perfectly. (This is the actual set I have. I use the narrow side for spices. I use the round side for liquids.)
However, those who prefer the convenience of a shaker lid may find this type of jar more practical. Both options work well in this DIY spice drawer.
My simple 4 step solution for a DIY spice drawer
I often buy herbs and spices in bulk because it’s more economical to buy them. And by bulk, we don’t mean Costco-sized containers filled with a lifetime’s worth of Italian seasoning.
I’m talking about spices that can be dispensed by scoop at markets like Whole Foods, Sprouts, Winco, and my local favorite Market of Choice in Central Oregon.
You can get a standard 4-ounce serving of garlic powder for less than $1. Specialty spices like za’atar sometimes sell for $2. Bulk spices are highly recommended over pre-packaged spices as they are up to 75% cheaper than those in expensive glass bottles and are often fresher.
That being said, I do have some prepackaged spices on hand. Some were gifts, some were purchased at farmers markets, or some were picked up on the spot during road trips.
So we needed a DIY system that could handle both bulk and packaged spices, keeping in mind the different sizes and shapes of jars, cans, and containers.
Step 1: Jar
I found these miniature Ball jars and immediately knew they would be perfect for storing spices. These are exact replicas of the brand’s iconic Mason jars, reduced to a small 4-ounce size with an integrated screw-on lid.
(Please note that these particular jars are for storage and decoration purposes only and are not suitable for canning.)
Step 2: Label
The sides of the miniature jars have a nice smooth surface for labeling, and I found that a very fine paint pen (which I used) worked well on the glass.
Something to keep in mind: Water-based paint pens can withstand a light rinse, but will come off with soap or scrubbing, so you can relabel the jar if needed. If you always want to label jars that contain the same spices, use an oil-based paint pen to make them more permanent.
Step 3: Bottle
To transfer all the spices from the old cans to the new jars, I used a silicone mini spice funnel (similar to this one) and found it to be very efficient for the job. It’s wide enough to hold whole spices like peppercorns, but narrow enough to fit into the mouth of a jar.
Step 4: Spice Drawer Organization Hack
When it comes to drawer organization, the most common way to store spices is in tiered racks like this one (although expandable in one direction, it leaves a lot of unusable space inside the drawer). Many ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets also come with in-drawer racks customized to the system.
But if you’re renting or need more flexibility, these soft foam liners are a game-changer. It can be cut to the required length with just scissors and is very suitable for shallow drawers where the height of tiered racks is too high.
(P.S. In the new kitchen, I ordered wooden inserts cut to fit for the spice drawer. They were expensive, but now they’re in a permanent home. But I still have a jumble of bottles and jars.) I made a second spice drawer using these new rolls of foam liner because the various sizes didn’t fit neatly into the inserts.
The design is very simple. A series of grooves under each liner create a groove that keeps the spice jar squarely centered. This groove accommodates all standard size spice bottles, even large ones.
I have all my jars lined up in grooves and I love how they look in my drawer. It’s very easy to find, easy to grab, and easy to take out.
I use my own method to categorize them by flavor characteristics. The first drawer contains bell peppers, Mexican spices, Italian herbs, and Asian spices (all in jars that I use most often), followed by sweet spices, Moroccan spices, and an assortment of prepackaged salts. The second drawer contains rubs and seasonings.
The drawer protects the jars from heat and light, extending the shelf life of your spices. And since it’s right next to the prep counter and stovetop, I no longer have to rummage through cabinets or shuffle through lost jars on shelves, which makes cooking a lot less confusing.
You can clearly see all your spices at once, so you always know if you’re missing something and can quickly add it to your shopping list. No more forgetting what you have around or running out in the middle of a recipe.
Now you have a quick, easy, efficient, and attractive way to organize your spice drawer for a geeky cook like me.
I’ve linked all sources below. This also includes alternatives to similarly sized jars that come with different tops and lids (if you prefer something like a shaker).
where can i buy
spice storage supplies
This post is an update of an article originally published on December 4, 2017.
