There’s something deeply satisfying about opening a kitchen drawer and seeing every spice in its place instead of rattling around like loose change on a country road. This little organizer uses shallow wicker baskets as the base and small acrylic bins inside them to create tidy sections for spice jars, seasoning packets, and those odd little blends that seem to multiply when you’re not looking. It’s simple, affordable, and it gives a plain drawer a warm, finished look.
I’m especially fond of projects like this because they solve an everyday nuisance without needing a workshop full of tools. If your spice drawer is crowded, hard to search through, or forever getting messy after one busy supper, this is a practical fix you can put together in an afternoon.
Materials
2 shallow wicker baskets, approximately 14 inches x 10 inches x 2 inches each
Instructions
1. Empty the drawer completely and wipe it clean so the baskets and bins sit on a dust-free surface.
2. Measure the inside length, width, and depth of the drawer to be sure your shallow baskets will fit with enough room to open and close smoothly.
3. Cut the non-slip drawer liner to the drawer size and lay it flat on the bottom to keep the organizer from shifting.
4. Set the wicker baskets into the drawer and test different arrangements until they fill the space neatly without crowding the sides.
5. Place three acrylic bins inside each wicker basket, stacking or nesting them snugly side by side so each basket becomes a divided organizer.
6. Add a small adhesive putty dot or clear bumper dot under each basket corner and under any acrylic bin that slides too easily.
7. Group your spices by how you cook, such as baking spices, everyday savory blends, grilling seasonings, or packet mixes, then assign each group to its own bin.
8. Place the spice jars into the acrylic bins with the lids facing up or slightly tilted, depending on your drawer depth, so you can see everything at a glance.
9. Tuck smaller items like bouillon packets, gravy mixes, or cinnamon sticks into one bin so they stay contained instead of slipping loose in the drawer.
10. Open and close the drawer a few times and make any small adjustments so nothing tips, catches, or slides out of place.
Variations & Tips
For a narrow drawer: Use one wicker basket instead of two and reduce the number of acrylic bins to fit the space without forcing it.
For taller spice jars: Check drawer clearance before loading everything in, and lay jars at a gentle angle if upright storage is too tall.
For easier sorting: I like to arrange spices the way I actually cook, not alphabetically, because it saves time when supper is on the stove and you need paprika, garlic powder, and oregano in a hurry.
For extra stability: Clear bumper dots often hold up better than putty in a warm kitchen, especially if the drawer gets opened often throughout the day.
For a softer look: Choose honey or warm brown wicker baskets to bring a little old-fashioned charm to the drawer while the acrylic bins keep the inside practical and easy to wipe clean.
For quick upkeep: Give the bins a quick wipe every few weeks and return wandering jars to their section before the drawer gets unruly again; a small habit like that keeps the whole system working beautifully.