Happy hump day friends! It’s Wednesday and we are back in the kitchen, preparing to clean out and organize another space. During our “Plain & Simple” organizing challenge, each month we will visit a new room, and concentrate on one area in that room, per challenge. There will be several challenges per month. It’s January & we are still in the kitchen. Your goal is to create an “organized spice station” near your cooking area, where you will store your spices, oils, and mixes. Remember the key is functional organizing, so you will want this space to be near your oven!! It’s time to toss out those 10 year old spices and replenish them with fresh new jars. If you missed the first two challenges, you can catch up at any time! We organized the baking cabinet & the kitchen utensils. Happy Organizing!!
YOUR CHALLENGE:
- Pull out all of your spices & condiments from your cabinets, pantry, and drawers. Throw out expired items.
- Categorize by size and type of item (cooking oils, spices, mixes, etc.).
- Organize on spice shelves, in drawers or baskets, to fit your needs.
- Designate a space near your oven where you can keep oils, vinegars, etc.
I use 4 oz jars that fit nicely inside my drawers. You can find these spice jars here. I chose to store my jars in the drawer right next to my oven, where I can grab a spice in a “pinch”.
My Tastefully Simple spices, oils, vinegars, mixes, and extracts are kept in the cabinet to the left of my oven. It’s within arms reach of my cooking space.
I use spice shelves to organize my cabinet ingredients. It’s easier to see whats behind the first row. You can find these shelves at most stores. They are inexpensive and worth every penny.
Last but not least, its great to have a “station” on your counters to keep your most used cooking essentials. Olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper & garlic – which is kept inside the brie container, are my most commonly used cooking ingredients. I keep them right next to my oven (being sure to move the olive oil when the burners are on). I replenish the olive oil on a weekly basis so there is no concern for it going rancid. You can use an old cutting board or cheese platter for this station.
The most important thing to remember is to keep your spices & cooking oils near your stove and within arms reach of cooking. It will make your life easier! If you would like to participate in our organizing challenges, join our Facebook group here and don’t forget to share your pictures on Instagram using the hash tag #abfolplainandsimple. Happy Organizing.
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Tags: kitchen, organizing, plain and simple organizing, spices
Blog, January 2014, Kitchen, Organize, Plain & Simple Organizing Posted in
14 comments
14 comments on “Organizing the Kitchen Spices”
Thanks so much for this post! I’ve been looking to try and revamp my spice storage to free up some space in my pantry. Thanks for the ideas!
Really like that cooking station idea. Setting one up today, thanks
This is great! How were the labls made for the spices in the drawer?
The labels were made using a labeler. The Brother P-Touch is one of Toni’s favorites.
Can you measure the size of the jars?
I am getting my spice risers today so I can finally start my spice organizing. I am so excited to finally start it. My spice jars are already pre-labeled but some of those spices I do not use. I will need to buy some labels. I have a nice little cupboard next to my stove, but to convince my family that it is OK for me to move some of those things around. A re-training session will be in order. 🙂 Wish me luck!
THis is one area in my kitchen that is pretty well organized. I say pretty well because I have found some jars I really like and want to transfer all of mine to a drawer that is just a catch all (cookie sprinkles, rolling pin, envelope mixes etc are in there now). Thanks for the lovely pictures! I think I am going to try and move my oils. Even though they are right next to the stove, they are on a bottom shelf (floor level) and I can’t reach them very well.
Since you take spices out of their original containers, what do you do about expiration dates? Also, about the olive oil….does it need to be replaced monthly? I didn’t know it would go bad. Yikes!
Place a sticker on the bottom of the jar with the date.
I love the green 3 piece canisters where are those from?
they are from Pottery Barn a few years ago
I love this blog. There is always something new to catch my eye. I love those green canisters. Great tips. Thanks!
I love your website! It’s full of fabulous ideas ~we have a similar style. I’m trying to create a chalkboard similar to the one you made for your dining room. (We have similar taste in spices too : ) Love Tastefully Simple!