Proper storage is an essential element of any functional kitchen. Despite this simple fact it can often be one of the greatest challenges in kitchen interior design. Most of our collections of pots and pans, cups, appliances, and spices continue to grow after we finally get the things we have to fit perfectly. Further, most of us have experienced some minor disaster in the kitchen where precariously stored items come toppling down in the face of some small disturbance. We’ve thought that there just has to be a better way! At homify, we assure you that there is.
Today we will be zeroing in on the spices in order to explore the ways that we can organise your growing collection in a way that allows for maximum functionality. If you follow some of the tops in this guide you will no longer find yourself scouring the kitchen drawer in search of that signature ingredient while the food on the stove boils over or burns. Nor will you have to sweep up the contents of a broken spice jar that fell on the floor as you were digging through the cabinet in search for that one obscure ingredient. Here are six handy tips for storing spices.
One of the biggest issues many of us face in our plight to organise our spices is that we simply don’t have enough space in our cupboards and drawers for the overflow of new seasonings we accumulate over time. One place that you may no have considered as an excellent place for stowing spices is the refrigerator. We aren’t referring to inside the fridge on this one but rather its magnetic exterior. Investing in some clear spice containers with magnets on the bottom is a perfect way to store spices in an easily accessible place without them getting in the way. In this kitchen the spices are in plain view but unlikely to be disturbed in this convenient spot on the side of the refrigerator. You can also buy containers like these and put labels on them to make the spices even more handy.
A spice rack is likely one of the most common means for storing spices available. Still, even though your spice rack can perfectly house all your spices, there’s no guarantee it will be the case as your collection grows. Perhaps for one recipe we need a rather obscure spice for a particular dish or you notice that you use garlic powder often enough that you decide to buy two containers of it the next time you’re at the market. There are all sorts of reasons that our spice collection gradually increases in size. Therefore, installing a spice rack inside of a cabinet door like we see in this example will allow for the spice collection to fluctuate in size without creating organisational issues. You can include shelves of different sizes inside the cupboard door to better accommodate the different containers you’re working with.
An alternative to storing seasonings in a spice rack is to keep them in a drawer. This could just as easily be a disastrous idea as a great one, however. If the drawer is dark and the spices are sharing it with lots of other items, then the odds of creating a handy, organised spice storage area are slim. Therefore, it’s crucial to carefully consider which drawer you’d like to use for storing spices. Choose a shallow drawer that is accessible and located in an area of the kitchen that receives enough light for you to read the spice labels without straining your eyes. You may even like to purchase some dividers for the drawer like we see in this example from DesignStudio Speziell. We especially love the spice container because it will keep the seasonings from moving around as the drawer opens and closes.
An alternative to a conventional drawer is the foldout drawer or lazy Susan. These are ideal because they allow for greater visibility of the items inside the drawer without requiring you to take items out in order to see them. Be sure not to overload the foldout drawer or lazy Susan, however. This is an ideal storage solution for bulkier items or for those you don’t use as often. Perhaps you are an occasional baker and your baking spices and ingredients tend to stand in the way when you’re looking for more commonly used seasonings. In this scenario, moving sugar, baking powder, yeast, vanilla, and flavourings to a lazy Susan or pull out drawer will help free up some space. Then, when these items become necessary, you’ll be able to locate them quickly. Piece of cake!
Commonly used as drinking glasses since at least the 1970s, the Mason jar is making a big comeback, largely for its retro-rustic aesthetic. Before all this, the Mason jar was actually used in the 1800s for canning foods and storing spices. With this little factoid in mind, it may be worth actually using some of these jars for their original purpose. Plus they are equally trendy when holding spices on your countertop or in the cupboard. Standard Mason jars are best for storing larger items like sugar, flour, coffee, loose leaf tea, or bundles of dried herbs like rosemary and thyme. You can also find these jars in smaller sizes, which could then work for other spices as well. The metal cap is great for labelling, or you could tie a decorative label around the jar. What’s more is that you could even plant fresh herbs inside them for great quality herbs all year round. If you’d like to mask the dirt, try painting them with chalkboard paint like we see in this example.
Speaking of storing fresh herbs indoors, for all those who are particularly fixated on keeping highest quality herbs on hand, let’s discuss how you can maintain a small herb garden in or near your kitchen. It’s important to educate yourself on the needs of each herb as some of them are more fragile than others. Keep the herbs near a source of natural light and make sure that the container allows for the water to drain from the bottom. Storing them on the windowsill above the sink is generally a good spot. Purchase a planter for housing multiple herbs or opt for individual containers like these ones. There are lots of options available to match any taste or style. Hanging the herbs above the counter top is another way to effectively maximise space while still keeping the fresh herbs handy.
If you found this Ideabook useful, check out these tips for making your kitchen look bigger. Happy decorating!
