Home › Home & Kitchen › Kitchen & Dining › Storage & Organization › Spice Racks How to Organize Spices Published: July 8, 2026 · Updated: July 8, 2026
Keep spices out of heat, light, and steam — in a drawer, a cabinet away from the stove, or a closed rack — and arrange them one layer deep so you can read every label at a glance. Alphabetical or by how often you reach for them, in uniform jars with labeled tops, is the system you'll actually maintain.
Recommended Store away from heat and light, one layer where every label shows — a drawer or tiered shelf beats a deep cabinet — Spices fade fastest with heat, light, and moisture, and they get lost when you can't see them, so good organization solves both preservation and visibility. Keep them away from the stove, oven, and dishwasher steam despite how convenient that spot feels; a drawer, a cupboard on the cool side of the kitchen, or a closed rack all work. The core principle is one layer where every label is readable — a drawer insert that tilts the jars up and labels their lids, a tiered shelf riser inside a cabinet, or a wall or door rack for a small collection — anything but jars stacked two deep in a dark cabinet where you buy cumin three times. Order them the way you think: alphabetically if you have many, or by frequency (everyday salt, pepper, and chili up front) if you have few. Decanting into uniform jars looks neat and saves space, but label each one and note the date, since ground spices lose their punch within a year or two.
