The Art of the Spice Drawer: How to Organize & Label Your Spices

There's a drawer in most kitchens that no one talks about — the one you open, stare into, and close again because you can't find what you need. The spice drawer. At PLAIN TABLE, we believe that a well-organized spice setup isn't just about tidiness. It's about cooking with confidence.

Step 1: The Full Audit

Pull everything out. Every jar, every packet, every mystery tin. Check expiration dates — most ground spices lose potency after 1–2 years, whole spices after 3–4. Toss what's expired, consolidate duplicates, and set aside anything you haven't touched in six months.

What you're left with is your actual spice collection. Now you can build around it.

This is what the reset looks like. Uncomfortable at first — then clarifying.

Step 2: Choose Your Storage System

The right system isn't the prettiest one on Pinterest. It's the one that fits how your kitchen actually works.

• Drawer inserts — Labels face up, everything visible at a glance. Best for dedicated spice drawers.
• Countertop racks — Rotating carousels save space and look intentional. Tiered shelves work well in open pantries.
• Wall-mounted racks — Ideal for small kitchens. Frees up counter space while adding visual structure.
• Cabinet shelf inserts — Hidden but organized. Great if you prefer a clean countertop aesthetic.

Pick one system and commit to it. Mixing storage styles is where most spice drawers go wrong.

🛍️ 360° Rotating Spice Rack with 6 Glass Jars & Labels
🛍️ Spice Rack Wall Mounted, Bamboo (Natural)

Spices are already beautiful. The right jars just let them show it.

Step 3: Decant & Standardize

This is the step that changes everything — and the one most people skip.

When every jar is the same shape and size, your storage system works. Visually and functionally. Uniform jars stack better, label more cleanly, and make your kitchen feel considered rather than collected. Transfer your spices using a small funnel. Choose glass over plastic — it preserves aroma, doesn't absorb odors, and looks better doing it. Square jars for drawers (they don't roll). Round jars for racks.

🛍️ DIDITIME Spice Rack with 24 Glass Jars & 60 Labels
🛍️ SWOMMOLY 36 Square Spice Jars + 396 Labels (Black)
🛍️ Spice Rack Organizer with 27 Jars, Labels & Funnel

The label is the last step — and the most satisfying one.

Step 4: Label Like a Pro

A label is only useful if you can read it at a glance.

• Chalk marker labels — Writable and erasable. Great if your spice collection changes often.
• Printed labels — Clean, uniform, and permanent. Best for a polished, editorial look.
• Lid labels — Essential for drawer storage. Write the name on top so you can read it looking down.
• Front labels — Better for racks and shelves where jars face outward.

One extra step worth taking: add an opened-on date to the bottom of each jar. Ten seconds now saves you from cooking with two-year-old cumin later.

When everything has a place, cooking stops feeling like a search.

The Maintenance Rule

A spice drawer only stays organized if you give it a system — not just a one-time reset.

The weekly habit: Before you grocery shop, open the drawer. Note what's running low. Add it to your list.

The six-month reset: Twice a year, pull everything out and repeat the audit. Spices are inexpensive. Cooking with stale ones is not worth it.

One in, one out: When a new spice comes in, an old or duplicate one goes out. The drawer stays the same size. Your cooking gets better.

The best spice drawer isn't the most Instagram-worthy one. It's the one that makes you want to cook.

Shop the Spice Setup

🛍️ 360° Rotating Spice Rack with 6 Glass Jars & Labels
🛍️ Spice Rack Wall Mounted, Bamboo (Natural)
🛍️ DIDITIME Spice Rack with 24 Glass Jars & 60 Labels
🛍️ SWOMMOLY 36 Square Spice Jars + 396 Labels (Black)
🛍️ Spice Rack Organizer with 27 Jars, Labels & Funnel