There are a few kitchen fixes that feel downright magical once you see them, and this little spice-drawer riser is one of them. By stacking small wooden coasters under the back rows of glass spice jars, you create tidy tiers inside a shallow drawer so every label is easier to see at a glance. It’s simple, inexpensive, and uses plain materials in a way that looks polished instead of makeshift.
I’m especially fond of projects like this because they solve an everyday annoyance without asking for a whole weekend. If you’ve got a drawer full of spice jars rolling around or hiding behind one another, this is the sort of practical trick that makes cooking smoother every single day. It’s perfect for renters, first-home cooks, or anybody who wants a neater kitchen without hauling out power tools.
Materials
Instructions
1. Empty the shallow drawer completely and wipe it clean so the liner and coaster stacks sit flat without crumbs or grease underneath.
2. Measure the inside width, depth, and height of the drawer, then check that your spice jars will clear the drawer when closed with one, two, and three coaster layers under them.
3. Cut the non-slip shelf liner to fit the drawer base, laying it in flat so the jars and risers won’t slide every time the drawer opens.
4. Plan your layout in three rows: leave the front row flat on the drawer liner, place the middle row on single coaster risers, and place the back row on double-stacked coaster risers for the easiest visibility.
5. Set out 6 single coasters and make 6 double stacks by gluing two coasters together, centering the edges carefully and wiping away any squeeze-out with the damp cloth.
6. Let the glued double stacks dry fully according to the glue directions, keeping them weighted with a jar on top if needed so they dry nice and even.
7. If you want a more finished surface, brush a thin coat of clear matte sealer over the coaster tops and edges, then let them dry completely before arranging them in the drawer.
8. Place the single coasters in an evenly spaced middle row and the double-stacked coasters in an evenly spaced back row, keeping enough room between jars to lift them out comfortably.
9. Set the glass spice jars into place with the shortest or most-used jars in front, then fill the middle and back risers with the rest, checking that each lid opens easily and each label can be read from above.
10. Open and close the drawer a few times, then nudge the coaster risers as needed until everything stays aligned and the drawer glides smoothly without any jar tipping or rattling.
Variations & Tips
For deeper drawers: If your drawer has a little more height, you can add a third coaster layer to the very back row, but always test drawer clearance with a jar in place before gluing anything permanently.
For larger spice collections: Make two identical drawers by category—baking spices in one, savory spices in another—so you keep the same easy tiered view without crowding jars shoulder to shoulder.
For extra grip: A tiny dot of removable museum gel or putty under each coaster stack helps keep rows perfectly aligned, especially in drawers that get opened fast during busy weeknight cooking.
For a more finished look: Seal or lightly wax the coasters so they wipe clean more easily; that little step gives the risers a smoother, more intentional look while still keeping the pale birch grain visible.
Jar sizing tip: This works best when all the spice jars are the same height and width, because even matching rows look calmer and make the drawer feel custom-organized.
Before you commit: I like to dry-fit every coaster and jar first, then live with the arrangement for a day or two before gluing stacks together; it’s an old kitchen habit of mine to test the flow before calling a job finished.