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Spicing Up Your Kitchen Cabinet’s Spice Organization!
Are you tired of playing hide-and-seek with your spices in the depths of your kitchen cabinet?
Have you ever reached for the pepper and accidentally toppled over the 15+ other spices/containers surrounding it causing a mess in the process??
Been there, done that .
Fear not, my spice-cluttering friend, for I am here to unveil the secret to a well-organized spice collection that will spice up your cooking game! (Or, at the very least, help you find that dang cinnamon more easily.)
In this tantalizing article, we're about to take you on a journey through the realm of spice organization.
Specifically, we'll explore the best spice racks for a cabinet carefully handpicked to ensure your spices are always within easy reach.
So buckle up, put on your chef's hat, and get ready to embrace the world of organized seasoning with our spicy selection of cabinet spice racks.
Prepare to savor the flavors of cabinet efficiency and convenience in your kitchen like never before!
(Okay slight exaggeration… but you get what I mean )
"But, I don't have time to read this entire fantastic article right now..."
I understand!
Here are some quick selections of the best overall products to check out:
The Best Spice Racks for a Cabinet Overall – Quick Picks
Scnvo Spice Rack Organizer
Type: Screw-Mounted
Capacity: 14-18 spices
Material: Carbon steel
Dimensions: 4.9"D x 15.7"W x 2.2"H
Weight: 2.6 lbs.
MEIQIHOME 4 Tier Spice Rack
Type: Freestanding
Capacity: 24 spices
Material: Metal
Dimensions: 10.8"D x 11.4"W x 4.6"H
Weight: 2.07 lbs.
mDesign Expandable Spice Rack
Type: Expanding
Capacity: 36-38 spices
Material: Plastic
Dimensions: 4.1"D x 9.5"W x 16.75"H
Weight: 3.01
(Check out the rest of the recommendations below.)
Why You NEED One & The 8 Different Types
We've all been there, desperately rummaging through cluttered cabinets, risking an avalanche of spice containers just to find that elusive oregano. It's a suspenseful game that no one should have to endure.
But it’s what happens when your spices decide to stage their own little rebellion, hiding behind each other and getting lost in the Bermuda Triangle of kitchen cabinets.
This is where cabinet spice racks come in.
They’re a solution that will rescue you from this seasoning chaos and help with keeping spices more organized.
Picture this: you open your cabinet, and like a beautifully choreographed spice ballet, each container gracefully presents itself, whispering, "Pick me, pick me!".
An organized spice collection brings a world of benefits to your culinary adventures.
First and foremost, it saves you precious time.
No more fumbling through a sea of spices while your sauce simmers or your cookies threaten to burn.
With a well-organized spice rack, you can effortlessly locate the exact spice you need, ensuring your dishes are seasoned to perfection without stress.
But wait, there's more!
An organized spice cabinet also allows for better visibility.
You'll no longer confuse chili powder with cocoa powder, sparing any potential guests from a truly unforgettable (and also hilarious) surprise.
Plus, when your spices are on display like colorful little soldiers, it adds a touch of flair to your kitchen. It's like having your very own spice bazaar right in your cabinet.
So, let’s say goodbye to spice-induced frustration and hellooo to the best spice racks designed specifically for your kitchen cabinet.
The 8 Different Types of Organizers
There are 8 dwarfs different kinds of spice organizers that we’ll be going over:
- Pull-Out (or Slide-out)
- Over-The-Door
- Screw-Mounted
- Freestanding (Tiered)
- Expandable
- Under Shelf & Under Cabinet
- Rotating (or Lazy Susan)
- Adhesive
NOTE: I did NOT list ‘magnetic spice racks’ since this type isn’t for the inside of a kitchen cabinet; They’re more for refrigerators, walls, or any other space where they can stick magnetically.
However, I do have an article that you can check out where I talk about the best magnetic kitchen organizers
Now, this isn’t definitive or anything; It’s just what I was able to gather during my research.
Each style has small characteristics that make them unique.
Which, I think, should justify them being separated.
Most of the time though, they’re all just clumped together, and it leaves us (the customer) overwhelmed because now we have to shift through SOOO many different styles.
But NO more!
I’ve broken them down for you and have listed the best spice racks for a cabinet, for each of the 8 different types/styles.
We’ll also go over each type’s pros & cons so that you can choose the one that will work best for you.
Other blog posts just group all their selections into 1 jumbled mess; Not here!
Let’s dive in.
How Were These Recommended Cabinet Spice Racks Chosen??
Before going forward though, I want to quickly touch on HOW & WHY the products below were chosen.
It wasn’t just out of thin air.
They all had to meet the following criteria:
Alright, now on to the products!
1.) Pull-Out (Slide-Out) Cabinet Spice Organizers
These pull-out (or, slide-out) organizers are designed to fit inside a cabinet and have a sliding mechanism that allows them to pull out like a drawer; Making it easy to access your spices while keeping them hidden away.
To be properly seated and stable, they’ll need to be bolted to the bottom of the inside of the cabinet.
The Best Cabinet Slide-Out Spice Racks
Key Pros, Benefits, and Cons to Consider
The Good
The Not-So-Good
2.) Over-The-Door Spice Organizers
These organizers have simple brackets that fit over your cabinet’s doors.
Nothing super fancy, but they work well.
The Best Over-the-Door Cabinet Spice Racks
NOTE: Be sure to measure the space behind your cabinet’s door to ensure that it’ll still close properly. And also measure the door’s thickness to make sure the bracket will fit over it.
Key Pros, Benefits, and Cons to Consider
The Good
The Not-So-Good
3.) Screw-mounted Spice Organizers
These organizers are meant to be screwed onto the cabinet’s door.
They can also be installed inside the walls of the cabinet.
The Best Screw-mounted Spice Racks for a Cabinet
NOTE: Make sure the screws you use are NOT longer than the thickness of your cabinet’s door! If the screw is longer, then it’ll poke through the other side.
Key Pros, Benefits, and Cons to Consider
The Good
The Not-So-Good
4.) Freestanding Tiered Spice Organizers
These just sit right on top of a cabinet’s shelf.
Even though they’re really not adjustable/customizable, they do come with tiered shelf rows.
The Best Freestanding Tiered Spice Racks for a Cabinet
Key Pros, Benefits, and Cons to Consider
The Good
The Not-So-Good
5.) Expandable Spice Organizers
These organizers are designed to fit inside a cabinet and can expand outwards (or retract) to fit your collection of spices.
They have a simple sliding feature that allows them to be made wider and also come with tiered shelf rows like the freestanding options.
The Best Expandable Spice Racks for a Cabinet
Key Pros, Benefits, and Cons to Consider
The Good
The Not-So-Good
6.) Under Shelf & Under-Cabinet Spice Organizers
These organizers are too similar, so I grouped them into 1 single type.
They attach to the underside of your kitchen cabinet and/or to your cabinet’s shelves. They’re designed to take advantage of the space right beneath a shelf or cabinet.
The Best Under-Shelf & Under Cabinet Spice Racks
Key Pros, Benefits, and Cons to Consider
The Good
The Not-So-Good
7.) Rotating (Lazy Susan) Spice Organizers
A rotating spice rack, also known as a “Lazy Susan”, consists of a circular or round-shaped platform that sits on a rotating base. The platform is divided into compartments or slots to hold spice jars or containers.
The rotating mechanism allows the entire rack to spin, providing a 360-degree view and access to spices.
The Best Rotating Spice Racks for A Cabinet
Key Pros, Benefits, and Cons to Consider
The Good
The Not-So-Good
8.) Adhesive Spice Organizers
These organizers feature hooks that have an adhesive backing that allows for the shelves to clip in and securely attach to the inside of a cabinet door or the cabinet wall.
Once the adhesive hooks are stuck in place, the installation is typically permanent.
The Best Adhesive-Based Spice Racks for A Cabinet
Key Pros, Benefits, and Cons to Consider
The Good
The Not-So-Good
BONUS: Best Spice Racks for Small Cabinet Spaces
In this section, you’ll find spice racks that will fit well for those of us that don’t have much cabinet space.
These will maximize the bit of space available to the fullest.
Overall, great for folks with smaller houses or apartments.
BONUS: Best Budget Spice Racks (All under *$15!)
*(At the time of this writing)
I didn’t forget about the budget selections!
These are great if you’re just looking for a spice rack that’s good with a cheap price tag.
Keep in mind, “you get what you pay for”; So, please don’t expect super high luxury
1 of them was already mentioned before, but the value was too good to not mention it again here!
What You Should Consider Before Buying a Spice Rack
When it comes to buying a spice rack for your cabinet, there are 5 key things you should consider:
1. Cabinet Space and Organizer Size
Begin by assessing the dimensions of your cabinet.
Take note of the available space that can be allocated to a spice rack.
If you have a small cabinet, you may want to look for a compact spice rack that doesn't take up too much space. On the other hand, if you have tons of room and have a lot of spices, you'll want a bigger spice rack that can hold all of them.
2. Design and Style
Spice racks come in a variety of designs and styles, so it's important to choose one that fits your taste and the décor of your kitchen.
Some spice racks are made of wood, while others are made of metal or plastic. Some have a more traditional look, others are more modern, and some are neutral and can fit pretty much anywhere.
Choose what flows best for you.
3. Accessibility and Visibility
Consider the ease of access and visibility you need for your spices.
Some spice racks have a tiered design that allows you to see all of your spices at once but can be tricky to reach into; While others have a rotating design that affects visibility a bit but makes it easier to access the spice you want.
Or you may want a spice rack that sticks to the back of the cabinet door so you can see and reach every spice container as soon as you open the door.
4. Mounting Options
Some spice racks are designed to be screwed to the inside of a cabinet door, while others are designed to sit on a shelf. Consider if you’re willing to install some hardware (such as screws) or if you prefer racks that don’t require any hardware at all.
5. Price
Last, but not least, consider the price of the spice rack you're interested in.
While some spice racks can be fancy and expensive, others are simpler and more affordable. Decide about how much you’re willing to spend before you start shopping and look for a spice rack that fits your price range.
Minor Note: Some racks also come with labels that you can write on. This can also be a tiny consideration. Or you can also purchase these spice jar labels separately
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: "What is the best spice rack to buy?"
A: It depends!
The best spice rack to buy ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.
With this article though, you’ll get a way better feel for the one best for YOU.
However, if I had to pick my favorite types, I’d say: Pull-out, Expandable, and Rotating.
Q: "How much do spice racks typically cost?"
A: It varies depending on the style you choose.
But, based on all of the individual products I’ve seen, I’d say the average price is around: $20-$40.
Q: "Which spice rack should I get?"
A: Another, ‘it depends’ answer here.
Everyone will have different needs and preferences so it’s hard to give 1 single definitive answer.
However, here are some loose guidelines that you could follow to help you decide:
- Want cheap? Check out our ‘best budget’ section recommendations.
- Have little cabinet space? See our ‘best for small cabinets’ section.
- Want something (mostly) permanent, easy to install, and sturdy? Then any of these can work:
- Pull-out organizers
- Screw-mounted
- Adhesive-based
- Want something more temporary and portable, with no hardware to install? Any of these are good:
- Over-the-door organizers
- Freestanding organizers
- Expandable organizers
- Rotating organizers
Q: "How should I organize my spice rack?"
A: Here are some popular methods on how you can organize your spices:
- Alphabetical order
- Type of cuisine (i.e.: baking spices in one section, and herbs and spices in another)
- Most-to-least used
- Expiration date
I would also recommend labeling your spices if they’re not labeled already.
This will help you identify them quicker and easier.
Here are some good spice labels you can check out.
Q: "Should spices go in a cabinet or a drawer?"
A: Either one!
Whether you store your spices in a cabinet or a drawer is largely a matter of personal preference.
Both a cabinet and drawer are dark and cool enough to store your spices nicely and keep them fresher for longer.
Q: "How long should you keep spices in your cabinet?"
A: This depends on the kind of spices you have.
Pretty much all spices lose their flavor over time.
If stored in a cool, dry cabinet space away from sunlight, then here are some rough shelf-life guidelines for different kinds of seasonings:
- Whole spices: 3-5 years
- Ground spices: 2-4 years
- Whole leafy herbs: 1-2 years
(2 good sources on this are: McCormick & and an article by spicesinc.)
Q: "How do I install a cabinet spice rack?"
A: Installation methods can vary depending on the type of spice rack you choose.
Some spice racks are designed to be mounted inside the cabinet door, while others can be placed on shelves or attached to the interior walls of the cabinet.
Generally, there’s minimal hardware involved (if any at all) and can take as little as 5 minutes.
Q: "How do I clean a cabinet spice rack?"
A: To clean a cabinet spice rack, simply wipe it down with a lightly damp microfiber cloth.
If the spice rack is made of wood, you may want to use a wood polish to protect it.
Conclusion & Final Thoughts (TL;DR)
Phew!
This was another topic that I didn’t think could get so extensive
But now that you have read about all of the best spice racks for a cabinet, you should have a pretty good idea of what to look for when choosing one.
You now possess the knowledge to transform your kitchen cabinet into a harmonious spice haven.
(Another slight exaggeration, but it sounds cool.)
Remember to take into account the 5 key considerations we talked about: cabinet space, style, accessibility & visibility, mounting options, and price.
Overall, a good spice rack can help your kitchen look cleaner and will also save you frustration whenever you’re looking for specific spices. By keeping your spices more organized, you can quickly and easily find what you need and avoid cluttering up your cabinets and countertops.
What are your favorite kind of spice racks?
Do you have any other recommendations that weren’t listed here?
Perhaps now you'd want to learn about some of the best floating shelves?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
I’ll see you in the next spicy article.
Take care!