- Renovating your kitchen is the perfect excuse to finally get your spice situation under control.
- Bamboo glass spice jars make a new kitchen feel finished and cohesive — for less than you'd expect.
- Uniform labeled jars take up less space than mismatched bottles and bring instant visual calm.
- Savvy & Sorted's Bamboo Rectangle Spice Jars 24-pack includes jars, preprinted labels, and a silicone funnel — one kit, done.
- Setting up your spice drawer takes under an hour and is one of the most satisfying things you'll do after a reno.
Everyone talks about the benchtops. The new cabinet hardware. The splashback they agonized over for six weeks. Nobody talks about the spice drawer.
But ask anyone who has renovated a kitchen — and I mean really renovated it — and they'll tell you the same thing. The moment you finally get to move your spices into matching glass jars and line them all up in a brand-new drawer? That's the moment the whole project clicks. That's when a renovation stops feeling like a construction zone and starts feeling like your home.
At Savvy & Sorted, we've heard this from hundreds of customers. A new kitchen deserves a fresh start, and the spice drawer is one of the most affordable and satisfying ways to deliver one. This guide is about exactly that — how to do it right, what to look for, and why it matters more than most people give it credit for.
Why the Spice Drawer Is the Best Part of a Kitchen Remodel
Why does organizing spices feel so satisfying after a renovation?
There's something almost psychological about it. You've just spent weeks — sometimes months — living in dust and disruption. Everything has been in flux. Then the kitchen is finally done, and the very last thing you get to do is bring order to one small drawer. After all that chaos, the act of lining up labeled spice jars feels like exhaling.
It's also the detail that makes the whole kitchen feel intentional. You can have stunning cabinetry and gorgeous stone benchtops, but if the spice drawer is still full of mismatched supermarket bottles with faded labels, the renovation feels unfinished. Upgrading your spice storage is what puts the full stop at the end of the sentence.
What makes the spice drawer different from other kitchen upgrades?
Most post-renovation upgrades cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. New appliances, pendant lights, a pot rack — they all add up fast. Switching to a matching set of labeled spice jars costs a fraction of that and delivers a disproportionate visual impact.
The reason is simple: your spice drawer gets opened multiple times every single day. It's one of the most-used spots in the entire kitchen. When it's beautiful and organized, you notice it constantly. When it's a mess, you notice that too — every single time you reach for something.
Is upgrading your spice storage worth doing during a remodel?
Absolutely — and timing it with the renovation is the smartest move you can make. You already have everything out. You're already thinking about the kitchen from scratch. Starting with empty, uniform jars in a fresh drawer means you set the whole system up correctly from day one, rather than trying to retrofit an organized system into an already-established mess.
There's also a practical benefit: renovation dust and construction residue can get into poorly sealed spice containers. Starting fresh with airtight glass jars right after the reno means your spice collection begins clean, sealed, and properly protected.
What to Look for in Spice Jars After a Remodel
What jar shape works best in a spice drawer?
Rectangle jars win in a drawer every time. Square and round jars waste corner space — every small gap between jars adds up, and in a drawer holding 20 to 30 jars, that wasted space is significant. Rectangle jars pack together neatly, side by side, with almost no dead space between them.
The Savvy & Sorted Bamboo Rectangle Spice Jars 24 Pack are specifically shaped to maximize drawer real estate. They sit uniformly, face upward for easy reading, and create that satisfying grid effect that genuinely looks incredible when you pull the drawer open.
Do spice jars need to be airtight for a newly renovated kitchen?
Yes — especially in a just-renovated space where new smells, dust, and residual construction odors can linger for weeks. Airtight seals protect your spices from absorbing anything from the surrounding environment and keep the flavors locked in. Spices stored in loose-fitting lids go stale in months. Properly sealed glass jars extend freshness significantly.
Should you choose bamboo lids or another lid type for a renovated kitchen?
It comes down to your kitchen's finish. Bamboo lids suit warm tones — timber cabinetry, rattan accents, stone or wood benchtops. Here's a quick comparison:
| Lid Type | Best Kitchen Style | Aesthetic | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bamboo | Warm tones, timber, coastal, natural | Warm, organic, natural | Most popular post-reno choice. Ages beautifully. |
| Black | Modern, monochrome, dark kitchens | Sleek, contemporary, bold | Strong contrast against white or grey cabinetry. |
| Metal/stainless | Industrial or professional kitchens | Clinical, chef-style | Durable for heavy daily use; less visually warm. |
For most renovated kitchens in the US and Australia right now, bamboo is the clear favorite. The natural material pairs with nearly every finish and never looks out of place.
How to Set Up Your Spice Drawer Post-Reno
How long does it take to set up a spice drawer from scratch?
Realistically, 30 to 60 minutes for most kitchens. That includes sorting, decanting, labeling, and arranging. If you have a large collection — 30-plus spices — give yourself a relaxed hour. Put on a podcast. Pour yourself something. This is supposed to be enjoyable.
Step by step: how to decant spices into new jars after a kitchen remodel
- Sort first, decant second. Pull every spice out and check the dates. A remodel is the perfect reset point. If it expired last year, let it go.
- Group by category. Before anything goes into jars, group your spices — baking, herbs, everyday cooking, blends. This gives you a labeling roadmap and helps you figure out how many jars you actually need.
- Decant using a funnel. The Savvy & Sorted set comes with a silicone funnel. Use it. It makes filling jars clean and fast with virtually no mess.
- Apply labels before filling if possible. Labels stick cleaner to dry glass. If you're applying them after filling, wipe the outside dry first.
- Arrange by use frequency. Most-used spices at the front and sides. Specialty blends toward the back.
- Stand back and look. Seriously. Open the drawer. This is the moment the whole renovation was building toward.
What labels should you use for spice jars in a renovated kitchen?
Preprinted labels are the right call here. Handwriting labels sounds charming but they fade, smear, and look inconsistent once you've done 24 jars. Preprinted minimalist labels look intentional and professional — and they're already done for you.
The Savvy & Sorted Bamboo Rectangle Spice Jars 24-pack comes with a full sheet of preprinted minimalist labels covering the most common spices — Cinnamon, Garlic Powder, Chili Lime, Everything Bagel, Paprika, Cumin, and more. They're waterproof, so steam and kitchen splashes won't cause them to lift or peel.
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Why It Works The spice drawer upgrade that makes every renovation feel complete. — Rectangle jars pack neatly — no dead space, no drawer chaos — Preprinted waterproof labels read clearly from above — no guessing mid-cook — Bamboo lids complement every kitchen finish — timber, stone, white cabinetry — Glass is non-porous — spice potency preserved for years, not months — Silicone funnel and labels included — one kit, done in under an hour "I would die if these actually fell out." Review by @all.things.jennifer — 29.4k views, 564 comments |
Watch It Happen: A Real Kitchen Remodel Reveal
Still not convinced it's as satisfying as we're making it sound? This real kitchen remodel video shows exactly what we mean — the before shot, the decanting process, and the final drawer reveal that makes the whole renovation feel complete.
The part that gets us every time is the before shot. A drawer full of mismatched bottles, faded labels, half-empty containers that have been there since the last kitchen. Then — 45 minutes later — that same drawer is a perfectly organized grid of bamboo-lid glass jars, every single one labeled and in its place.
If you're mid-reno or just wrapped up, the Bamboo Rectangle Spice Jars 24 Pack is available now with same-day dispatch from our US and AU warehouses.
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Pair It With Acrylic Spice Rack Drawer Organizers Tiered acrylic inserts that make every label readable at a glance from above. Designed to fit Savvy & Sorted spice jars perfectly — the ideal companion for your new drawer setup. Shop the Rack Set → |
Available at savvyandsorted.com and Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
How many spice jars do I need after a kitchen remodel?
Most home kitchens have between 20 and 30 active spices. A 24-pack handles the core collection for most households comfortably. If you cook heavily or run a large pantry, two sets cover you well. The Bamboo Rectangle Spice Jars 24 Pack is the right starting point for most post-reno setups.
What's the best way to store spices in a drawer?
Uniform rectangular jars stored upright in a dedicated drawer, all facing the same direction with labels readable from above. Rectangle shapes eliminate the wasted corner space you get with round jars. Consistent sizing keeps the drawer visually calm and easy to scan. Arranging by how often you use each spice — most-used at the front — makes daily cooking faster and more intuitive.
Are bamboo spice jars good for a newly renovated kitchen?
Bamboo-lid glass jars are one of the best choices for a renovated kitchen. The natural bamboo material complements most modern finishes — timber, stone, white cabinetry — without looking forced or theme-specific. Glass keeps spices fresh longer than plastic and won't absorb odors. Bamboo ages well and won't rust, peel, or yellow the way metal or plastic lids can over time.
Can you buy spice jars that come with labels already included?
Yes — and this is the option worth choosing. Savvy & Sorted's Bamboo Rectangle Spice Jars 24-pack comes with a full sheet of preprinted minimalist spice labels, a silicone funnel, and all 24 jars in one complete kit. The labels are waterproof and designed to look clean and cohesive right out of the box. No handwriting, no fuss.
What's the difference between rectangle and round spice jars for drawer storage?
Rectangle jars pack together without gaps, using every available inch of drawer space. Round jars leave small triangular gaps at each corner — which sounds minor but adds up across a full set of 24 jars. For drawer storage specifically, rectangle is the more efficient choice. Round jars work better on countertops, lazy Susans, or open shelving where their shape is visible from the sides.
