Revitalize Your Spice Closet: Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Seasoning Pantry Storage

A well-organized seasoning pantry goes a long way in making sure your pasta gets that lovely pinch of oregano at all times. Smart storage saves time during meal prep, lets you use up what you have without accumulating tons of the same stuff, and makes grocery shopping easier. On the visual side of things, it boosts the aesthetics of your kitchen. 

Most modern kitchen designs prioritize efficient storage and integrate some sort of a spice organization solution — be it reach-in pantries, pull-out racks, or an entire spice closet. Wondering about a storage upgrade but unsure what would work best for your space? Contact Closet America for a free design consultation today! 

Assessing Your Current Spice Closet Storage

Tired of never finding your Everything Bagel seasoning in a messy far corner of the kitchen drawer? It’s about time to get a handy storage audit. 

A disorganized spice closet is a quick way for things to get cluttered and for your seasonings to go unused. Follow the guide below to identify the key areas for improvement and get your spice organization on track. 

• Assess and Categorize Your Spices:
  Start by taking stock of all the spices in your kitchen and sorting them into logical categories. Group herbs (like parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, and basil) together, keep seeds (such as fennel and poppy seeds) separate, and create a dedicated section for hot or spicy seasonings if needed. Don’t forget a convenient area for frequently-used miscellaneous spices.
• Determine Your Available Space:
  Next, evaluate how much space you can realistically dedicate to spice storage. Are you reorganizing an entire pantry, or do you have only a small shelf available above your countertop?
• Combine these insights to create a tailored solution.
  No matter how much (or how little) space you have, strategic storage solutions will help you keep your spices organized and easily accessible.

Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Spice Storage

Whether you’re in the middle of a larger-scale kitchen remodeling project or just looking for a simple way to optimize your pantry organization, a few easy strategies are infallible. 

Install a pantry door rack

If you’re limited with space and want to optimize every inch of storage, use your pantry door by installing a handy rack. This DIY-friendly project is easy to tackle and requires some basic woodworking skills, a few wooden panels, screws, and brackets. Measure the space to ensure the rack fits seamlessly, attach the panels, and enjoy a neat-looking pantry at the back of your door.  

Looking for a pull-out spice rack that’s neatly tucked away and out of sight? Turn one of the existing drawers into a DIY rack that easily pulls out.  

Optimize the wall space with a handy spice rack

When space is tight, pantry organization gets tricky. Hang a space rack on the wall to optimize the vertical space of your kitchen. The perk of this spice organization technique is that your spices can double as a decorative piece for an otherwise bare wall surface. 

Use clear jars

Transparent jars make it easy to see your spices at a glance. Plus, they upgrade the look of your spice storage system. 

Label the containers

No more guesswork sifting through the contents of your cabinets. Regardless of the container — glass jars, plastic containers, metal tins, or zip-top bags — label everything for easy access. 

Use drawer organizers

Drawer organizers with adjustable compartments and modular designs can be adjusted to fit any cabinet seamlessly. 

Creative Spice Storage Ideas

Looking for spice storage ideas with a unique twist? Consider the following for some inspiration and a creativity boost.

• Built-in wall spice rack: If you’re in the middle of a kitchen remodeling and contemplating how to optimize every square foot of space available, recess some storage into the wall by installing a wall niche customized to your needs. 
• Magnetic spice rack: If a closet spice rack isn’t an option due to your kitchen layout, but your seasoning selection keeps growing, consider adding magnetic racks across your space. A surprisingly strong refrigerator rack, for example, makes use of otherwise bare space — a key strategy when working with tight square footage. 
• Side-mounted kitchen organizer: A kitchen island is a centerpiece of most gourmet spaces. Yet, it can be underutilized for storage. To tackle this, install a hanging kitchen cart that can be used as an accessible spot for your most-used seasonings. 
• Floating shelving: Tight on that much-needed spice closet? No problem! Install a few metal or wooden floating shelves on the wall near the stove for ease of reach during meal prep. 
• Pull-out pantry space: If organized strategically, a pantry with pull-out drawers can be a proper alternative to a walk-in spice closet. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing Your Seasoning Pantry

When the time comes to organize your seasoning pantry, staying calm and non-overwhelmed calls for a fair bit of mental effort. Luckily, a few practical steps like those listed below will assist you in navigating the process with peace of mind. 

1. Decide on the spice organization layout: Assess your kitchen and consider what nooks, drawers, or walls could be repurposed as spice storage areas. 
2. Get all your spice selections on display: Take every spice jar and seasoning zip-top bag you have in your kitchen and put them on your countertop. Check every shelf and corner to ensure nothing is left behind. 
3. Get rid of expired stuff: The next step is to check the freshness of your herbs and other spices to minimize waste. 
4. Label the jars for easy access: Opt for clear labeled jars to upgrade your pantry organization game with a clean and clutter-free look. 
5. Prepare the storage area and place your spices: Wipe your closet door spice rack, floating shelf, or any other approach you’ve favored for your pantry organization and put your neat-looking pantry organization containers in there. 

Maintenance Tips

A seasonal upkeep routine is all you need to ensure your spice storage doesn’t get cluttered. Here are a few handy tips to consider:

• Keep an eye on expiration dates: Make sure your pantry organization efforts don’t go to waste when the space gets cluttered with old spices.
• Categorize your seasonings selection: To make navigating the spice storage area easier, consider grouping the stuff you have by categories. 
• Stick to sustainable grocery shopping: Before your next grocery run, have a thorough look at what’s there in the pantry to avoid purchasing the same items and cluttering the space. 

Conclusion

A few smart spice storage solutions are a must for your kitchen remodeling project. With the right approaches to pantry organization and a bit of inspiration, you can transform the tiniest of kitchens into highly efficient spaces. A well-organized arrangement of favorite seasonings improves the cooking experience and makes grocery shopping easier. 

Kickstart your kitchen organization project with the leading expert in the industry — Closet America — to get the most out of your space!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of an organized spice closet?

An organized spice closet or pantry saves time when you’re rushing to prepare meals, supports sustainable usage of products in your pantry, and streamlines grocery shopping. Plus, it makes your kitchen space look much neater! 

How do I choose the right spice storage solution for my kitchen?

The right storage solution depends on how much space you have and how many spices you want to organize. If you have a small kitchen, sturdy floating shelves could be the best fit. If storage space is ample, getting a dedicated spice closet is a worthwhile option. 

How often should I declutter and reorganize my spice closet?

To keep your pantry organization on track, stick to a seasonal deep-cleaning routine. Every three months, check your seasoning jars for trash and restocking. Remember that regular maintenance helps avoid clutter and maximizes your spice storage.