Let’s be honest, opening my spice cabinet used to feel like a jump scare. A chaotic avalanche of mismatched jars, half-empty packets, and three different containers of paprika was the norm. It was a tiny reflection of how my life used to feel—cluttered, disorganized, and overwhelming.
I get it. When you’re trying to get your life together, organizing spices seems like the last thing on your priority list. But I’ve learned something important on my journey of losing over 110 pounds and building a life of purpose. Big changes don’t happen overnight. They start with small, manageable wins.
Tackling a tiny corner of chaos like your spice rack does more than just make cooking easier. It gives you a shot of confidence. It proves to you that you can create order. It’s a small victory that builds momentum for the bigger battles. So let's win this small one together. Here are ten simple hacks to finally get your spices in order.
The First Step Is Always the Hardest
Before you buy a single new container, you have to face the mess. Take a deep breath and pull every single spice, herb, and seasoning out of the cabinet or drawer. Put it all on your counter.
Yes, all of it.
Now, go through each one. Check the expiration dates. Spices don’t really “go bad” in a dangerous way, but they lose their flavor and potency. If it smells like dust instead of, say, oregano, it’s time to toss it. If you have three jars of cumin, combine them into one. Be ruthless. This initial purge is the most important step. It clears the slate and lets you see what you actually have.
Find a System That Works for You
This isn't about creating a Pinterest-perfect kitchen that’s impossible to maintain. It's about finding a system that fits your space and your cooking style. You don’t need to do all of these things. Just pick the ones that make sense for you.
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Categorize Your Spices. Grouping similar items together is a game-changer. You can create a “baking” section with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Make a “savory basics” group for salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Maybe you have an “Italian” group or a “taco night” group. This stops the frantic searching when you’re in the middle of a recipe.
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Go for Uniform Jars. This was a huge step for me. Decanting spices from their original mismatched packaging into simple, uniform glass jars instantly creates a sense of calm and order. It’s visually pleasing and makes everything easy to find. You can find affordable sets online or at most home goods stores.
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Label Like You Mean It. Once you have your jars, you need to label them clearly. You can put labels on the lids if you store them in a drawer or on the front if they’re on a shelf. Make the text big enough to read at a glance. You don't want to accidentally grab cayenne pepper instead of paprika. Trust me on that one.
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Use a Tiered Riser. If you keep your spices in a cabinet, a tiered shelf or riser is your best friend. It turns that deep, dark cabinet into stadium seating where you can see every single jar. No more forgotten spices hiding in the back row for years.
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Tackle the Drawer with Inserts. If you have a dedicated spice drawer, special drawer inserts are fantastic. They hold the jars at an angle so you can read the labels instantly when you pull the drawer open. It’s clean, efficient, and surprisingly satisfying.
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Go Vertical with Magnetic Tins. Short on cabinet or drawer space? Use your walls. Magnetic spice tins can stick to the side of your fridge or to a metal plate mounted on your wall or backsplash. It saves precious counter space and can look pretty cool, too.
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Create a "First String" Team. Think about the 5–10 spices you use almost every day. For me, that’s salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Give these VIPs the most accessible spot. Put them right by the stove in a small tray or at the very front of your cabinet. You shouldn't have to dig for the things you use constantly.
How a Small Change Can Spark Big Results
When I was first starting to turn my life around, I was stuck. I was battling food addiction, laziness, and a feeling of hopelessness. The idea of losing over 100 pounds felt impossible. The idea of building a productive routine felt like a fantasy. My whole world was disordered.
So I started small. I made my bed every morning. I cleaned my desk. And one weekend, I organized my kitchen cabinets, starting with the spices. Every time I opened that cabinet and saw neat rows of labeled jars instead of a jumble of chaos, I felt a tiny spark of pride.
It was a daily visual reminder that I was capable of creating order. That I could take one small, messy part of my life and fix it. That feeling bled into other areas. It gave me the confidence to tackle my diet, my fitness, and my work habits. It’s amazing how conquering a spice rack can make you feel like you can conquer anything.
Keeping the Chaos at Bay
Organizing is great, but the real challenge is staying organized. Here are two final tips to maintain your new system.
First, keep a simple inventory. Tape a small piece of paper to the inside of the cabinet door and list the spices you have. When you run out of something, circle it. When you go to the grocery store, you can just snap a picture of the list. No more buying a fourth jar of thyme you didn't need. This is also about good stewardship—using what you have and not being wasteful.
Second, use the "one in, one out" rule. When you buy a new spice, it has a designated spot waiting for it. You’re not just shoving it in wherever it fits. This simple habit prevents the slow creep of clutter from taking over again.
It all starts with one small step. One drawer, one cabinet, one shelf. Taking control of a small space is a powerful act. It’s a declaration that you are in charge, and that order is possible.
So, what’s one small, cluttered area in your home you can tackle this week?
