The Real Reason Why Spice Racks Don’t Only Belong in Kitchens

Olivia Harvey
Olivia Harvey
Olivia Harvey is a freelance writer and award-winning scriptwriter from outside Boston, Massachusetts. She’s a big fan of scented candles, getting dressed up, and the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley. You can make sure she’s doing okay via…read more
published Oct 29, 2025
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
Credit: John Gruen

The best organization hacks often involve storage solutions that are a bit unexpected. For example, some people put olive oil dispensers in their bathroom — whereas others have started using CD racks for storing much more than just music. Recently, a content creator convinced me that I should never overlook a vintage spice rack while thrifting, plus to rethink its use. 

“If you ever find a vintage spice rack while thrifting, grab it. … But don’t use it for spices,” Jolene from Desert Rose Market wrote in a caption on Instagram. “All my spices are stuffed in a cabinet anyway, and this one was way too pretty to hide.”

Why You Should Use a Spice Rack Anywhere but the Kitchen

Jolene suggests using spice racks as a major stylish display for all of your tiny treasures, in a similar way to hanging a vintage letter organizer in the kitchen. “Mini art, old books, little stories that deserve to be seen,” Jolene wrote. “Because giving vintage a new purpose is half the fun. Save this for your next thrift trip.”

You can source vintage spice racks from thrift and antique stores, Etsy, and eBay. But they’re also easy to find brand new, like this Amazon option, if you’re having trouble finding one secondhand. This Wayfair find features shallow shelves with small lips along the bottom edge to keep knickknacks in place. Plus, it has a rustic, solid-wood construction that mimics pieces from decades past.

Each shelf is just over 5 inches tall, so they’re perfect for small trinkets, with four shelves giving you plenty of space to play with.

Before you leave those beautiful, seemingly unusable spice racks behind at the thrift store, bring them home to create a beautifully unique display that you can’t find anywhere else. They’re perfect for chefs and collectors alike!

More to Love from Apartment Therapy