By Simon, Better Little Home · Updated November 2, 2026 · How we choose
Spices are small, but in a small kitchen they take over shelves fast. The right storage depends on where you have room: a spare drawer, a cabinet shelf, or the back of a door.
Here’s how to decide, and four organizers sorted by where they go.
Watch the short video: Spice storage: drawer vs cabinet
Quick picks
- Best drawer insert: SpaceAid Bamboo Spice Drawer Organizer
- Best with jars included: SpaceAid Organizer with 28 Jars
- Best acrylic drawer insert: Clear 4-Tier Acrylic Spice Drawer Organizer
- Best for a cabinet: Copco 3-Tier Spice Rack, 15 in
Pick the right place first
- Drawer: the easiest to see and reach. Most jars need a drawer at least 3 inches deep to lie flat.
- Cabinet: tiered racks keep labels visible. Measure the shelf depth and the height between shelves.
- Door: a door rack uses space you’d never use otherwise. See our over-the-door pantry organizers for clearance tips.
Count your jars before you buy. Most drawer organizers hold 20 to 30 standard jars.
Size comparison at a glance
| Organizer | Where | Size |
|---|---|---|
| SpaceAid Bamboo (expandable) | drawer | up to 23 W × 17 D × 1.4 H in |
| SpaceAid with 28 Jars | drawer | 13 W × 17.5 D × 2.5 H in |
| Clear 4-Tier Acrylic (2 sets) | drawer | 13 W × 4.2 D × 1.7 H in each |
| Copco 3-Tier, 15 in | cabinet | 15.2 W × 9 D × 3.5 H in |
The organizers
1. SpaceAid Bamboo Spice Drawer Organizer, Expandable
Best for: a spare drawer, for the neatest look.
Fit check: Expands to fit different drawers. The maker says you need a drawer at least 3 inches deep.
What buyers say: Buyers love the expandable design and say it holds both small and regular jars. The common complaint: It doesn’t include jars, so you may need matching ones.
Skip it if: your drawers are shallow.
Check current price on Amazon →
2. SpaceAid Spice Drawer Organizer with 28 Jars and Labels
Best for: starting fresh with matching jars.
Fit check: Comes with 28 jars and hundreds of labels.
What buyers say: Buyers say it transforms the drawer and shows every spice at a glance. The common complaint: It’s sized for its own jars, so mismatched jars may not fit.
Skip it if: you want to keep your existing jars.
Check current price on Amazon →
3. Clear 4-Tier Acrylic Spice Drawer Organizer, 2 Sets
Best for: drawers of any width.
Fit check: Two clear inserts you can place side by side or end to end to fit the drawer.
What buyers say: Buyers like alphabetizing their spices and say the thick acrylic feels sturdy. The common complaint: Acrylic can scratch over time.
Skip it if: you prefer a warm wood look.
Check current price on Amazon →
4. Copco 3-Tier Spice Rack Organizer, 15 in
Best for: a cabinet shelf, when you have no spare drawer.
Fit check: Three non-skid tiers keep every label visible.
What buyers say: Buyers say it fits their cabinets and makes every jar easy to see. The common complaint: It holds fewer jars than a drawer insert.
Skip it if: you have more than about 20 jars.
Check current price on Amazon →
Common questions
What is the best way to store spices in a small kitchen?
A drawer insert is easiest to see and reach. Without a spare drawer, use a tiered rack in a cabinet or a rack on the back of a door.
Where should you not store spices?
Avoid the area right above the stove or beside the oven. Heat and steam make spices lose flavor faster.
How long do spices last?
Ground spices are best within about a year; whole spices last longer. If the aroma is weak, the flavor will be too.