I think a lot of us are trying to better utilize the space that we have and I know that organizing your spices is a challenge! I showed you some great spice organization tips in this post 10 Ways to Organize Your Spices . So I had plenty of inspiration for how to tackle my own spice cabinet organization.
My house was built in the late 1960’s and this cabinet close to the stove is pretty typical for houses of that era and basically where everyone that I know keeps their spices. Old house, old kitchen.
This is the cabinet organized – the after!
How I Organized My Spice Cabinet
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#1. I took everything out! I discovered that I had duplicates (sometimes even triples) of spices. I also discovered I was almost (or totally) out of certain spices that I thought I had. So this is a great way to do an inventory of what you have and it’s a good time to wipe down those shelves.
#2. I realized that some of my problem was from having different sized spices & herb containers. I had big containers of garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, I had some bulk spices from from Whole Foods etc. I transferred these into smaller glass spice jars (which you can purchase at the Dollar Stores, Container Store, Cost Plus World Market, Ikea etc). Or you can recycle other glass jars you may already have.
#3. I already had two acrylic tiered shelf organizers. I had purchased a tiered shelf organizer from Big Lots (which I returned) which didn’t work for me since the shelves weren’t solid and my spices wouldn’t sit straight. Something to think about if you are considering buying one of these shelves.
I put my tin spices on one of those shelf organizers in order of most used. You might like your spices in alphabetical order – whatever works for you! The new spice jars are on the other tiered shelf on the shelf above.
#4. I made the top shelf for baking spices/extracts which I compartmentalized in the red tray and since we make cupcakes at least once a week, I put our cupcake liners and toppings in another tray (which is very easy to pull out when needed).
#5. I keep my vinegars, oils (other liquids) in a tray under that cabinet, in the fridge and in my pantry.
In the cubbies around the stove is where I keep my most used larger containers of sea salt, peppercorns, cinnamon etc. Yes I know, cool and dark is how to store spices. But we use a container of cinnamon about every month or so. We put it in our morning smoothies and we like to sprinkle a little cinnamon on our coffee grounds before brewing.
I do like things to be pretty but it really needs to be functional and save me time. So I could transfer these larger spices into more attractive containers so the whole thing would be “blog pretty”. But what for? The containers fit the cubbies perfectly!
This has been on my to-do list since forever! It did take me a while to get around to organizing these spices but I’m so glad I did. It”s so much easier working in the kitchen when everything has a place and you know what you have and where it is! A little organization goes a long way!
It looks great, Manuela, and something I really should do. Thanks for the reminder!
It looks great! I have been thinking of putting mine in alphabetical order and getting some glass jars. I didn’t know they sold them at the Dollar Store. Thanks for the tip! And what about those labels? Where did you get them?
Hi Betty,
Dollar Tree does carry them, but I tried for about 3 weeks to get some there and they were always out. So I don’t know if they’re really popular because they’re inexpensive or if they are not restocking them for some reason. I got mine at Cost Plus.
I have tons of labels! The ones I used on the spice jars I’ve had for several years. I got them at the Container Store – $3.99 for a package. But like I said, I’ve had them for many years so I don’t know if it’s something they still carry. I had some Martha Stewart labels that I was going to use but didn’t have enough of all of the same kind left in the package. So check Michael’s and Office Max/Depot for labels.
I love how neat and clean everything looks. Life is so much easier when things are organized. The labels make it look cute too.
Looks great! I love to have everything neat and organized – Now I just need to get busy and do something about that. 😀 I tried a tiered shelf a while back and ended up taking it back as it took up more space in my situation, and never replaced it with anything else. I ended up cleaning mine out and giving away a good bit that knew I would not use again, or they would be to old when I wanted to use again. Have to admit my cooking is not what it use to be, plus I started buying some herbs/seasonings I don’t use as often in the smallest jars at Penzys.
Enjoy your evening!
Very neat looking, Manuela! I think getting those tiered pieces would work well for me, too. Although I have a drawer by the stove with store bought size containers, I also have some of the larger ones purchased at Sam’s. That is the cabinet that is my mess! I was just at Big Lots, too. I will be keeping an eye out for them.
Very organized. My spices are in a drawer. It starts off organized and descends into spice hell very quickly. Now you’ve got me thinking again! That’s dangerous you know.
Hi Manuela. How are you doing. Love this post. I remember a couple of years back when you were doing your kitchen and the playroom. Nice to see your posts once again. Nice job!
Great ideas, and I love those soup tureens!
Gorgeous…useful and so pretty Manuela! I think the larger spice containers are good looking in their own right. 🙂 love the tips for adding cinnamon to smoothies…it’s supposed to be quite healthy as well as delicious!
Love,
Tracey xox
those are some great tips. i am thinking i need to replace my spices thought. Some I have had for years like 20 lol. We bought them when we got married. And my mom gave me some from her spice cabinet as well. I just do not have the heart to throw them out sense some of them are in the old tins they used to come in. I guess I can dump the spice out and poor in the new ones. Any ideas what to do with all the spices that I am replacing instead of going in the trash?
I had that same cabinet in a house we used to live in and hated it. This house we moved into really needs some work to it sense the family for what ever reason had really torn this house up or it started happening after they moved out. I do not have any above counter cabinets so we are going to be putting up some new ones, and arrange the kitchen to make it more efficiate. They started building a new room up were the attic of the home was and never finished it so we are the way we think will make the house look a lot better. Here is a tip that I just saw on a You Tube video. she took an old frame and laid it on a square of metal, you can get it from any home improvement stores, Just trace the center of the frame on this metal, cut it out. She decoupaged some nice paper to the metal but you can leave it alone if you want. then she put the metal in to the frame, Put your spices in some nice tins ( she used the ones that were circles that have the clear tops, I think beaders sometimes use them for their beads). Take some magnets and put them on the back of each tin and then you just put them on the metal and they will stay there. But she did this with the make up she uses all the time and hung in her bathroom. But she did her spice thing on a chalk board, and attached the tins with magnetic chalk board paint, and under each tin she wrote the name of the spice. That is a great way to get all your spices out and organized for each recipe you might be doing.
Love the look and I need to do the same thing:) Have a blessed day dear Manuela, BIG HUGS!
It looks great. I need to give mine some attention.
I did a bit of sorting and organizing my bathroom closet this weekend! Feels good to have it done. There are still containers I’d like to get but until I do, it is organized and functional!
Have a great week!
Mine are organized on tier shelves too. BUT BUT I am amazed at how much cupboard space my seasonings take up!! I have the smaller metal containers in one cupboard on tiers, and then my regular jar ones take up 2 cupboards and I have some special ones in a drawer!! I use them too! I have them in alphabetical order for the most part. I also have some that I use for refills on another shelf! YIKES!! It would be nice if I had a walk in pantry. I also have a lot of teas —which seems crazy to me—I guess these are my weakness!
This is something that I need to do, I love organization, I’m just not good at creating it. I like what you’ve done, though, it looks marvellous. I like your attitude, you could make it more blog worthy, but what for!? I love it.
Have a great day!
This looks so nice 🙂 I really need to get my spices all in a row too!
Hi, Manuela
What great ideas to add the season in the jars. Love how you organized your cabinet. Hope you have a great week.
Vanessa
Great re-organization. I’m almost afraid to even tackle my spices but this makes me want to get busy putting mine in order too.
Nice to pop in and catch up on what you’ve been doing.
Have a great week,
Lisa
I love this idea! It’s so easy for the spice cabinets to get out of control very, very quickly! You’ve inspired me!
I did the same thing with my spices last year. After I organized everything and sat the spices up, there was so much more room. I opted for the wire shelves that sit in the shelf and double shelf space. Right now, a year later, it is about half straight. The bins I put into the shelves help lots. Nothing falls over, thankfully. I love your pressed tin in the kitchen. I have considered putting that behind my stove. Maybe I will now.
I tackled my spice cabinet last year and did some of the same things. It works SO MUCH better now.
And I love that little cubby space you have. I have nothing like that. I guess by the 80s when this place was built boring old stock cabinets were the word of the day.
Trying to catch up here and see how many good ideas I have missed. My kitchen redo has just about taken the life right out of me.
Your cabinet looks “blog pretty” to me! I did mine a few months back and was so happy to be able to find everything again. I need some of those adorable labels that you used. Abby is getting her college apartment in August and we are planning all kinds of fun organized spaces like this, I can’t wait for her to see it!
Well done and so much better!! Clarice
I love the way your spice cabinet turned out. I have been collecting and using small spice bottles like yours since I use bulk spices now. Labels are next on my list – and a few more bottles.
~Adrienne~