A spice rack neatly allows you to see what you have when it’s time to cook your favorite dish, eliminating the need to double purchase, explains professional organizer Shaniece Jones. This saves you money and time spent running out if you already know and can see you have the spices you need, she says. But before you even choose a spice rack, there are a few things you ought to consider. “Take inventory of the spices you plan to store on the spice rack, to be sure you’ll have enough space,” advises Jones, founder of One Woman Army Closet Design & Organization. The other very necessary task? Measure, measure, measure. How much space do you reasonably have in your kitchen to store everything? “Size matters when it comes to spice racks, and wherever you decide to place your rack. Whether it’s a rotating rack or a drawer rack, you want to be sure that it fits,” says Jones. With Jones’ advice in mind, our favorite is the versatile Acrylic 20-Bottle Spice Rack from The Container Store, which you can place in a cabinet or directly on the counter for easy access. Here, you’ll find the best spice racks for every kitchen and budget. You can place it directly on your counter, in a cabinet, or in your pantry, and the non-slip feet help keep it in place. There are also drill holes in the back, giving you the option to mount it to a wall or behind a door. This spice rack has slots for 20 jars and includes 20 3-ounce glass bottles, each with a removable plastic sifter. The set comes with 48 labels pre-printed with the names of popular herbs, as well as 12 blank labels. The flexibility is nice, but if you want to switch the labels out or make your own seasoning blends, it might be hard to ensure that the font looks the same on all bottles. Still, you can always buy, print, or make your own labels. Price at time of publish: $38 It’s a good option for permanent placement on a cabinet shelf or in a pantry, as it might be slightly rickety expanded. Unlike rotating racks, the tiers can make it hard to see the jars in the back. Still, it looks nice, holds up to 30 jars, and won’t break the bank. Did we mention it’s easy to clean with a damp cloth? And if you should get tired of it, you can also use it in your bathroom to hold lotions and cosmetics or use it to display pantry goods, such as canned goods or jars of tomato sauce. Price at time of publish: $22 It comes with 16 glass bottles, each with a matching ash lid and an airtight silicone seal, which is a nice bonus. You’ll also get pre-printed labels and a few blanks, but if you want them all to match, you’ll need to buy or make your own. The downside is that this beauty is pricey, so expect to shell out a few dollars for such a gorgeous spice rack. Price at time of publish: $90 The modular design allows you to adjust the individual compartments to fit various seasonings, oils, and other cooking essentials. We love that the slats easily slide in and out and can create a custom spice organizer that will fit your specific needs. Bear in mind this piece needs to be mounted—otherwise, it’ll topple right over when filled with heavy containers and jars. You’ll have to get your own mounting hardware, too. If your kitchen drawer is wide or deep enough, you can also slide it as a handy organizer with dividers, too. Price at time of publish: $40 “If you’re purchasing the rack with an assortment of spices already arranged, you’ll want to make sure a majority are spices you’ll actually use,” says Jones, a professional organizer. But because the jars aren’t pre-labeled, you’ll have more flexibility if you want to switch them out with your own seasonings. Price at time of publish: $66 The jars are pre-filled with an assortment of seasonings. This is an appreciated bonus, but since they’re pre-labeled, you may want to get your own labels, to ensure they all match if you choose to swap a few out. Price at time of publish: $40 It can be attached to the back of your kitchen cabinet door or inside your pantry using the included hardware or adhesive. The included screws may be too long for some cabinets, so consider using shorter ones to ensure that they don’t poke all the way through. And if you use the adhesive, the weight capacity will be slightly lower (about 5.5 pounds), in which case, glass jars may be too heavy. Price at time of publish: $19 It comes in four sizes and three finishes (chrome, black, and white) to accommodate kitchens of all sizes and styles. All the necessary hardware is included, and it’s pretty easy to install, but you might need a spacer board to clear the edge, depending on the size of your cabinet. Price at time of publish: $38 The unique tiered design allows you to easily see all of the labels without taking up any additional vertical space. One thing to note is that this piece doesn’t have a non-slip base, but you can place it over a grippy drawer liner to prevent it from sliding around. Price at time of publish: $40 The ultra-strong magnetic backing attaches effortlessly to any metal surface, such as your refrigerator. You probably can’t mount it to a wall or the back of a door, so just make sure you have a metal area in mind. Due to the small-ish size, you might want to get multiple caddies to hold all your seasonings. Price at time of publish: $25 You can also stain or paint it in the color of your choice. Like most IKEA pieces, this organizer has to be assembled at home, but it should be a pretty quick process. And while the mounted design saves counter space, drilling holes in the wall might be an issue for renters. Price at time of publish: $7 First, consider how permanent you’d like the placement to be. Revolving racks like the Kamenstein Heritage Spice Rack allow for easy access on a counter or even inside a cupboard. A mounted option like the mDesign Spice Rack saves counter space, it but might not be ideal if you don’t want to drill into your wall or cabinet door.
Capacity and Organization Options
“Another factor will be the size of the spice rack, as well as the size of the space where the rack will be placed,” says Jones. Check the dimensions carefully to ensure that it’ll fit in your kitchen, and note how many jars it can hold. Some racks have designated slots for jars, whereas others feature shelves for more flexibility. If you cook often and like to keep dozens of spices on hand, you’ll want a bigger unit. Otherwise, something that holds roughly 16 jars should suffice.
Material
Think about what will look good in your space (and go with the rest of your kitchen aesthetic) as well as what’s easy to clean. Ryan Eiesland, co-founder of Home Sort, recommends spice racks made from metal, wood, or acrylic that can be wiped down. “Beware of flimsy materials,” Eiesland says. “Always shop for quality construction that will stand the test of time,” she says, adding that she recommends spice racks made from bamboo and acrylic.
Assembly and Installation
Before buying a spice rack, read through the product description to see whether at-home assembly is required. The setup process should be relatively easy, though you’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary tools. Units like the Cookbook People Multikeep Adjustable Shelf and the Holdn’ Storage Spice Rack must be mounted or installed. They’re usually relatively easy to DIY, but if you’re not up for it, consider hiring a professional.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a freelance writer who specializes in home improvement and lifestyle. She spoke to Shaniece Jones, a professional organizer who specializes in aesthetically pleasing storage solutions. She also spoke to Ryan Eiesland, co-founder of Home Sort.
With their insights in mind, Theresa researched today’s best spice racks, narrowing her picks down to high-quality, visually appealing units with standout features. Theresa has been covering home decor, storage products, and kitchen gadgets at The Spruce since 2019.
