Spice Cabinet Makeover

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you so much to everyone who commented! And Congrats to Chantell Hammond from 365 Days a Mom for winning the spice containers!

And that was the day my spice cabinet got poned.

Sick to pieces of opening those cupboard doors and being assaulted by spice shavings, mismatched bottles, and half-used duplicates of the same spices, I decided to go hog wild crazy and smack those spices into submission. I needed something simple and easy to maintain, not terribly expensive, and totally eye catching.

After combing the internet, I settled on spending $31 for a pack 0f 240 8-ounce Polypro Deli containers.  I loved the sturdiness of the polypro plastic, and thought the clear containers would be perfect for storing spices. I wanted to peek into my cabinets and see the spices I needed, not just rifle through a bunch of opaque labels, aimlessly searching for the right spice.

The containers arrived earlier this week, and today I spent about an hour (just an hour!) showing my spices who’s boss.

The lids of each container were labeled up with a permanent marker. I had visions of making fancy old printed labels, but settled for the ease and simplicity of penning the names of each spice. This works for two reasons: first because whatever system I use in my kitchen will need to be continued. As nice as it is to think I’d take the time to print a label everytime I get a new spice, I won’t. Duh. I’m crazy like that. But, pulling the pen out? No probs.

The other reason I went for the permanent marker labeling was because it allowed me to personalize the spice containers entirely, without worrying about the labels smudging or smearing or pulling off.

I love Garam Masala. I love that it has it’s own, pretty little home right in the new spice cupboard. So Saavy.

The containers stack beautifully. No slipping, no sticking. How have I not done this to my spices before?

And to my sprinkles? Cuties.

I popped each of the spices into towers by like types. This one is the “sweet” spice tower. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, ground cloves, whole cloves. Everything I need to make gingerbread. Or carrot cake. Or general awesomeness.

Once my spices were happily organized, I thought…wouldn’t it be great if one of my Cheeky peeps could pone their spice cabinet too? Thankfully, that box of deli containers arrived with more than enough for me AND you. So, I’m giving away a tube of 40 containers and lids for one commenter. Just ’cause.

We should all own the tarnations out of our spices, dontchya think? Heck ya. So leave me a comment and get yourself a starter set of spice organizing deli containers. Poned.

  Pin It

131 Responses to “Spice Cabinet Makeover”

  1. 51

    Ashlee on May 6, 2011 at 10:42 am Reply

    Love this idea! my spice cupboard is a mess of random bottles and containers right now and finding things takes forever! I would have to write on the sides though too, but this idea is ingenious!

  2. 52

    Chantell Hammond on May 6, 2011 at 10:51 am Reply

    Hey, I saw you last night at the ballet rehearsal last night and wanted to come say hi, but I wasn’t sure you’d remember me. I’ve just discovered your blog because I’m WAY behind on the times, but I’ve already tried several of your recipes and I’m coveting your creativeness. You’re additively bad for me :). Anyway, your spice cupboard is making me search the internet myself for a solution to my mess, but then I saw you were giving some away and I thought, what the heck, I’ll comment. And now I’ve left you a novel. It was good seeing you last night even though I didn’t say hi. Love hearing about all your amazingness daily.
    Chantell Hammond

  3. 53

    Amy P. on May 6, 2011 at 11:31 am Reply

    Great idea!! Love this!! Really gotta try it!!

  4. 54

    Ashley on May 6, 2011 at 11:37 am Reply

    That is the most PERFECT idea! Oh how I need to make over my spice cabinet. I have so many and they’re always so hard to find!

  5. 55

    Rikki-Leigh on May 6, 2011 at 11:39 am Reply

    I’ve been dreading organizing my kitchen cupboards! Those containers would be a perfect jump start!!!

  6. 56

    Jackie L on May 6, 2011 at 11:45 am Reply

    Did you look in my cupboard ?? Cause how else would you know that this is on my to-do list !!! :) What a great idea !!! Thanks for the chance to get a little more organization !!!

  7. 57

    Jennifer (Savor) on May 6, 2011 at 11:53 am Reply

    Dude, I have literally 1,000 of these in my basement. Shall I send you some?

  8. 58

    Monica Lavoie on May 6, 2011 at 12:05 pm Reply

    Love this idea! I am so copying you!

  9. 59

    Vanessa on May 6, 2011 at 12:18 pm Reply

    OK…so I am not a great cook, but I DO bake, and therefore would LOVE these spice organizers.

    I just love to open a cupboard and see it all cute and organized!

    And your beautiful handwriting donning the tops of these containers make them even more darling.

    Love ya…Vanessa

  10. 60

    Liser on May 6, 2011 at 12:25 pm Reply

    I just recently moved into a place with far less cupboard space than I’ve previously had and I’ve had a devil of a time coming up with a good solution, this looks perfect!

  11. 61

    Charlotte on May 6, 2011 at 12:41 pm Reply

    Um, yes please!

  12. 62

    Yvonne on May 6, 2011 at 1:03 pm Reply

    Are you serious?! This idea is GENIUS!! I would love to win… and even if I don’t, I’m definitely adapting the idea anyway. Brilliant :)

  13. 63

    kristen b on May 6, 2011 at 1:03 pm Reply

    Love it! Pick me!

  14. 64

    Laura on May 6, 2011 at 1:07 pm Reply

    I hate the digging through the cabinet for the spice I need. Of course, it’s always the one behind every other bottle. This is a great idea! I have small Rubbermaid bowls for the seasoning mixes I make (Italian dressing mix, taco seasoning, hubby’s fave meat rub, my fave burger seasoning, etc) but never thought to organize the regular spices this way. Brilliant!! Thanks for sharing!

  15. 65

    Kadee on May 6, 2011 at 1:08 pm Reply

    This is such a brilliant idea!

  16. 66

    JoEllen on May 6, 2011 at 1:14 pm Reply

    Oh my gosh…what a great idea! My spice drawer is ridiculous! I’m so tired of the mismatched bottles. I also have many duplicates because I think I’m out of a certain spice, only to find it once I’ve bought another one =) Thanks for sharing this simple and useful idea ….

  17. 67

    Leslie on May 6, 2011 at 1:19 pm Reply

    I was thinking it would give me a GREAT excuse to use my label maker.. (tee hee.. yes I have one) to make labels to put on the front of each of these wonderful tubbies so I could see what each one was without actually having to sort through them… and I could even alphabetize them… Yes.. I know.. I’m a sick sick woman… but you gotta love me!!

  18. 68

    brie on May 6, 2011 at 1:53 pm Reply

    this is an amazing idea! i have been trying to figure out how to organize my spice cabinet FOREVER. this would be perfect!

  19. 69

    Whitney W on May 6, 2011 at 1:54 pm Reply

    Brilliant! I need these!

  20. 70

    Beth on May 6, 2011 at 2:03 pm Reply

    Am I the only one who doesn’t know about Garam Masala? This is a complete mystery and i must investigate!

    Oh, and I totally agree…your spices look just pit pat perfect. Great idea!

  21. 71

    Charles on May 6, 2011 at 2:04 pm Reply

    I’m a brand spankin’ new reader and RSS subscriber as of today, and I’d LOVE to pwn my spices!!!1!!one!!1!

  22. 72

    Patience Kabwasa on May 6, 2011 at 2:24 pm Reply

    Brooke Your a God send……Awhile ago I spent the weekend with one of my well to do friends and noticed that her spice cabinet was impecably organized and almost museum like asthetic! I remember thinking huh, and organized spice cabinet, what a novel idea who’d a thunk it. Every shelf was tiered and the bottles matched, and they were all forward facing and in alphabetical order. Now that I think about it is absolutely insane. When I went home I my darnest to re-create such organized bliss but along came practicality. For me, ever on the hunt for the right combo of a good spice, a called for spice, and an on sale spice, I ended up with a buch of mitch-matched bottles and sizes. This is a perfect solution :-D

  23. 73

    Daeon on May 6, 2011 at 2:36 pm Reply

    Oh my goodness!! I was just fantasizing about somehow organizing my spice cabinet last night. Heaven!!

  24. 74

    Linda H. on May 6, 2011 at 2:38 pm Reply

    Great idea. I like alphabetical though. I would put the name on the side of the container.

  25. 75

    Hannah on May 6, 2011 at 2:39 pm Reply

    What a great idea! I have been looking for a good way to organize my spice cabinet. I will definitely be trying this!

  26. 76

    Meggan on May 6, 2011 at 3:30 pm Reply

    great idea…now it will be easy to get a spoon in there to measure some out instead of trying to pry that little lid off and then realize your measuring spoon won’t fit inside….hook me up!

  27. 77

    Rachel on May 6, 2011 at 3:39 pm Reply

    Oh…this might just work!! I want to put my spices in their place for sure!! Hubby would like it even more. He’s scared to open that cabinet. They tend to jump out and let us have it at present. Sigh…yep they own me. Help me take back my cabinet please!! I’d love a set of these little gems to organize my cabinet…and save us a few concussions!!

  28. 78

    dana j on May 6, 2011 at 4:31 pm Reply

    Gosh, this is SO needed! WE too have a hodge podge of containers, just strewn about! Your pic makes me SWOON!!

  29. 79

    Emily on May 6, 2011 at 5:04 pm Reply

    Oh my goodness I’ve spent the last 2 days spring cleaning and my spice cupboard got cleaned out, wiped down and then… I stuffed all the various sized spice jars back in thinking someday…. SOMEDAY! I hope I win!

  30. 80

    Patricia Calef on May 6, 2011 at 5:21 pm Reply

    What a great idea. Wish they came in colors to color coordinate.

  31. 81

    jules on May 6, 2011 at 5:53 pm Reply

    I think this is a very neat idea. I need it. My space is limited so this would really help me.

  32. 82

    jasmine on May 6, 2011 at 5:58 pm Reply

    Awesome idea. I will have to get deli containers for my husband for his birthday or for christmas this year. He would love this.

  33. 83

    pita on May 6, 2011 at 6:09 pm Reply

    Why has no one thought and shared this before? great idea for those of us that are a little nutty about out cooking and baking supplies. would work great for crafts too.

  34. 84

    Anna on May 6, 2011 at 6:30 pm Reply

    those are amazING! AMAZING! my spice cabinet looks like a terrible mess. I never thought of using containers like these. Awesome idea.

  35. 85

    Andrea on May 6, 2011 at 7:35 pm Reply

    How beautiful! Congrats!

  36. 86

    Amy on May 6, 2011 at 8:37 pm Reply

    Brooke, You were here. You saw my spices. You know that I open, reach in, grab and slam the door shut with terror lest something falls on my head, spills or starts walking on its own. Mama Mia I love this idea (couldn’t help but wonder if the pastel sprinkles from Martin’s Farm market in their polypro containers were the inspiration??!!!) What a fun day that was. So, happy sassy spices to you, my friend. And also, Happy Mother’s Day to a great mom.

  37. 87

    Laura Cantrell on May 6, 2011 at 8:57 pm Reply

    OOooo, I would love to do this to my spice cabinet! I think mine is in a similar state to yours. :) Add in that the hubby and I both cook, and I can never find anything! This would help a lot.

  38. 88

    Karen on May 6, 2011 at 9:03 pm Reply

    Awesome idea! So inspired!

  39. 89

    Darla on May 6, 2011 at 9:23 pm Reply

    Brooke!

    I love your idea, I never thought of that. As my kitchen grows each day, I have a hard time finding the space with all those jars. And not to mention all the jars where i don’t know what’s in them till I grab it. I love this idea.

    Darla

  40. 90

    Rik on May 6, 2011 at 9:47 pm Reply

    I’ve never thought of using these types of containers… SO SMART! Even if I don’t “win”, I’m totally doing this!!

  41. 91

    Whitney on May 6, 2011 at 10:24 pm Reply

    I LOVE that it holds everything in cute little towers. I totally have the same label OCD. If I’m going to organize, I want things to match and the time it takes to print a label matching the others is crazy!

  42. 92

    Rebecca on May 6, 2011 at 11:59 pm Reply

    What a great idea! I love the way it looks.

  43. 93

    Andrea on May 6, 2011 at 11:59 pm Reply

    I would love to win some! I really need to spice up my cabinets. Thanks for this idea and all your yummy recipes! Did you leave all your Costco sized spices in the shaker (like the parsley in the pic) or did you make duplicate tubs to fit some?

  44. 94

    Leah on May 7, 2011 at 6:16 am Reply

    Such a good idea!!

  45. 95

    Kim J. on May 7, 2011 at 7:52 am Reply

    What a great way to do this. You’re amazing!

  46. 96

    Gina C. on May 7, 2011 at 9:37 am Reply

    I love these containers! I try and save them… but the invariably always get tossed away if empty. :P

  47. 97

    Jenny on May 7, 2011 at 11:24 am Reply

    Your spices look GREAT! I would LOVE to have some containers of my own! Thanks so much!

  48. 98

    Katie B. on May 7, 2011 at 12:07 pm Reply

    I too am attacked by my crazy leaning towers of spices everytime I open the cupboard. And the one I need is alway at the back on the bottom. I would love to fix the situation!

  49. 99

    Missy on May 7, 2011 at 12:21 pm Reply

    Ooohh. Great idea! I love to organize my house and this would make my world of spices so much better.

  50. 100

    Katrina on May 7, 2011 at 1:14 pm Reply

    Woo hoo! Now this is a makeover I can be excited about. I’m super jealous.

Leave a Comment