Rotating Spice Rack: A Simple Trick with Recycled Glass Jars

A simple trick using recycled glass jars can transform your storage.

Anyone living with a compact kitchen, a student flat or a home office will know the issue: spice packets split, elastic bands vanish, and screws only resurface after replacements have already been bought. Yet there is storage space above the worktop, desk or workbench that is almost always ignored: the underside of cupboards and shelves. That is exactly where this ingenious DIY project using recycled mini jars comes in.

How a rotating jar shelf ends spice clutter

The principle is remarkably straightforward: small screw-top jars – such as old jam jars – are suspended upside down from a wooden block held between two side pieces of wood. The block rotates like a small axle, so a single movement brings every jar into view.

The clever part lies in its construction. Jar lids are screwed to the underside of the wooden block, which sits between two slightly longer side supports. A bolt or substantial screws form the pivot points. The finished unit can be fitted beneath a wall cupboard, under a wall shelf, inside a shelving unit or directly onto a wall.

“At first glance, it looks like a decorative wooden board – but when it is turned, it reveals a perfectly organised row of floating jars.”

As well as freeing up drawers and shelves, this arrangement stops small items disappearing into the farthest corners. Each jar has a designated place and can be quickly reached from underneath.

Materials: what you need for the rotating block with mini jars

This project only requires basic DIY tools. Precision is less important than a well-planned design and secure fitting.

Basic kit for the suspended jar block

• one rectangular wooden block, such as spruce or beech
• two longer wooden battens to act as side supports
• small glass screw-top jars with metal lids
• screws for the lids and installation
• two sturdy bolts or anchor screws for the pivot axis
• a drill or cordless drill-driver, plus wood drill bits
• sandpaper, and optionally wood stain or varnish

The number of jars depends on the length of the wooden block. Sets containing 12, 16 or 20 jars work well. The block should be just wider than the lids, providing a stable base while still leaving sufficient finger room to grip and unscrew each jar comfortably.

Step by step: building the rotating spice rack

1. Prepare and protect the wood

Begin by sanding all wooden surfaces until there are no splinters left to feel. If preferred, stain or varnish both the block and side pieces to suit the kitchen or workshop. This finish protects against moisture and grease, which is particularly useful above a cooker. Allow everything to dry thoroughly afterwards.

2. Mark the lid positions

Next, measure the underside of the wooden block accurately. The lids should be spaced evenly and must not touch one another. Mark their centre points in pencil. Leave at least a finger-width between two lids, otherwise unscrewing the jars becomes awkward.

3. Screw the lids in place

Position each lid centrally over its mark and secure it with two or three small screws. The screws must not be so long that they protrude through the top of the wood. It is worth carrying out a quick check: screw in a jar, remove it again, and if nothing is loose, move on to the next stage.

4. Drill and fit the pivot axis

For the block to rotate, it needs an axis. Drill a hole in each side support and in the block itself. The holes in the side pieces should be slightly wider than the bolt, while the bolt needs to fit tightly in the block. This lets the wooden assembly turn within the side supports without wobbling.

Pass the bolt through the side pieces and the block, then tighten it. For extra reassurance, test the rotating action before attaching any jars: does everything move smoothly without rubbing, and is there enough clearance from the surface where it will be installed?

5. Fix it beneath a cupboard or shelf

Finally, mount the complete block and its side supports in the chosen location – beneath a wall cupboard, on the underside of a shelf or onto a sturdy wall batten. Use only strong screws that can safely support the weight of filled jars.

“A trial run without filled jars saves hassle: only add spices and small items once the block swings freely.”

Once everything is securely in position, fill the jars and screw them in. The new organisation system is ready to use.

Where this jar trick eliminates clutter in everyday life

In the kitchen: a spice bar at your fingertips

In a cooking area, each jar can hold one spice or dry ingredient, including paprika, turmeric, herb blends, nuts and seeds. Turn the wooden block and every label is visible at once. Small labels can be attached to the sides or bottoms of the jars if desired.

In a craft room: beads, buttons and sequins

Creative spaces also benefit from this type of shelf. Instead of repeatedly hunting for beads, buttons or sequins, all materials are kept neatly separated in jars. It not only saves time but also makes the workspace look calmer.

In the home office: small office supplies within reach

Above a desk, the suspended jars become miniature archives for small essentials:

• paper clips and staples
• elastic bands, drawing pins and small magnets
• USB sticks, memory cards and replacement pen refills
• key rings and spare keys

Everything is neatly arranged above the desk, leaving the desktop clear for a laptop, notes and a mug of coffee.

In the workshop and garage: order for screws and wall plugs

The system shows its more hard-wearing side in a garage or hobby workshop. Each jar can contain screws, wall plugs, washers, small spare parts or fuses, ideally sorted by length, thickness or intended use. A glance along the row of jars is then enough to find the correct type.

Usage tips, safety considerations and variations

A brief safety check is worthwhile, depending on where it is used. Above a cooker, do not position the jars too close to naked flames or intensely heated surfaces. In homes with children, install the unit at a height where small hands cannot easily reach every jar, especially if they contain hot spices, medicines or small screw-on items.

Those who prefer a splash of colour can paint the lids in different shades to match their contents. Another option is to combine jars of varying sizes. Larger jars are suitable for rice, lentils or coffee, while smaller ones work well for spices or screws. In that case, the block and pivot axis must be sized robustly enough to keep the weight evenly supported.

Cleaning is minimal: jars can be washed as usual, while the wooden block only needs the occasional wipe with a lightly damp cloth. Metal lids with small rusty patches can be replaced, helping the system remain functional for a long time.

This project is also suitable for people with limited DIY experience. Anyone without a drill can have pre-drilled battens cut to size at a DIY shop. Many stores will also help, on request, by drilling the pivot holes. A few recycled glass containers and pieces of leftover wood can therefore become an exceptionally practical storage solution that noticeably eases the pressure on even the tightest kitchen or most cluttered desk.