Introduction: Organize a Spice Cupboard

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About: I'm self taught. I like to make things. (I'm also very thrifty and I don't care much for shopping, so I make a lot of my gifts.) I'm pretty much a do-it-yourselfer.

When my daughter moved into her first apartment, she complained that she didn’t have any spices to cook with, not only that, she didn’t have much room in her tiny kitchen, (even if she could afford to buy some.) So I decided to just share mine with her, (nobody can use all those spices in those giant bottles anyhow). I used small food containers from the dollar store. I liked the result so much, that I decided to organize my cupboard the same way!

Step 1: Supplies

Spices

Small Plastic Containers (I got these at the dollar store; 10 for a dollar.)

Computer Address Labels (I used 1”x 2 5/8” white address labels)

Computer & Printer

Label Software (I use Print Artist, but you can use whatever makes labels.)

Clear Packing Tape

Scissors

Spice Shelf Organizer (Optional)

Step 2: Gather Your Spices

Gather your spices, or buy new ones. The regular grocery store’s spices, in little jars or cans, can be pretty expensive, but I found that in the Mexican section they had spices in plastic packets that were only about 1 to 2 dollars because you aren’t paying for that container.

Step 3: Make a List of All Your Spices

I just went through my basket of spices and typed them up on my computer. You can alphabetize them now if you want to.

Step 4: Get Your Labels

Get your labels. I used 1” x 2 5/8” white address labels. Open your label making program, (I used Print Artist, but most word programs should be able to make labels.) I chose a border I liked, and put that on each label. Then followed my list of spices and entered all the names, and printed them out.

Step 5: Peel and Stick

Peel off the labels and stick them on the containers.

Step 6: Cover With Clear Packing Tape

Unfortunately the adhesive on the labels didn’t stick too well to the plastic, so I had to tape them on better using clear packing tape. This also protects the label from smearing in case your hands are damp. Cut some tape a little larger than the labels and stick it over them, trimming as needed.

Step 7: Fill All Your Containers

That's it, just fill them up.

Step 8: Alphabetize

Arrange them in alphabetical order, so that you will be able to find them easily. (I ignored the word “Ground” since a lot of them start with that; I also gathered some in groups, such as kinds of pepper, together.)

Step 9: Stack

Now stack them in your cupboard. If you have a “Spicy Shelf”, (spice shelf organizer I got online), they will be easier to get to. I happen to already have one, which was nice, but when my bottles, cans, jars and packets were all different sizes, it didn’t help really much, it was still an unorganized mess. Now with all the new matching containers, they are easily readable, and fit into a quarter of the area! Look at all the space I now have!

Step 10: You Are Done!

Now that you are done, you can make them for others! You already have the spice names on your computer. This could make a nice bridal shower gift, or house warming gift or gifts for Christmas.

You could even make it a party, gather some friends or relatives, have each person buy a large container of a different spice at Costco, make the containers and then share all the spices!