Organize And Declutter Mason Jars With These Storage Ideas

Mason jars may conjure the image of strawberry jam or canned peaches to some and pickled onions or iced lattes to others. While mason jars are a great way to store food with an airtight seal, they can also be used to make kitchen cabinet clutter a thing of the past. Beyond the kitchen, they can be used to group paper clips in the office, cotton swabs in the bathroom, or even store matches in case of a power outage. But for all they store and separate around the home, these jars require organization of their own — especially with their varying volumes and mouth sizes.

For mason jars on display, you want to ensure that their storage looks as attractive as it is functional. For example, an easy way to style mason jars is by lining them up on an open, wall-mounted shelf. Even a simple, freestanding shelf unit placed on a countertop or desk can work to both show off and organize your jars. With jars on show in open shelving, tying twine bows around the lids can intentionally lean into their farmhouse charm.

But with a sizable collection of mason jars, you may want to consider some other methods for decluttering and storing them. Looking nice is one thing, but keeping jars upright and easily accessible is another — they are made of glass, after all. Keep reading for different mason jar organization solutions that will work in the kitchen and beyond to safely and effectively store your beloved glassware.

For canning aficionados and mason jar lovers alike, one innovative mason jar organizer to consider for your space is a product called Slide-a-Jar. The wall-mounted rack allows you to securely slide jars into rows so they are suspended and easy to see. If you only have mason jars here and there, this may not be your gadget. But for people dedicated to using mason jars in bulk in their homes, the Slide-a-Jar could be a great option.

If you like the idea but can't afford to spend $50 on a single rack, have less than 12 jars you need to store, or want a more modular organizer, a more affordable alternative with a similar function is available. Unlike Side-a-Jar, these Lopeztek jar hangers on Amazon need to be mounted underneath shelving instead of to the wall. However, they also come in regular and wide-mouth sizing and cost about $20 for two pieces holding six jars.

If most of your mason jars are used for cooking supplies, an over-the-door hanging rack placed on a pantry door can work wonders. It will keep your jars neat, easy to see, and prevent them from hogging up precious shelf space in cramped kitchens. Something like this 9-tier door organizer from Eastherry on Amazon offers a ton of bang for your buck. And if you don't have enough mason jars to fill it up, use it for other kitchen necessities like spices, oils, and vinegar bottles.

If you've ever forgotten a mason jar in the back of the fridge and allowed the contents to go bad, you're not alone. A great organization product to keep your refrigerator under control is a clear bin to corral your mason jars together. The transparent sides will allow you to easily see what items you have and what you're running low on. And the larger unit of consolidated jars will ensure that they never get relegated to the depths of the fridge to expire. These mDesign mason jar organizer bins from Walmart for $19 have a single-jar width and handles, making them easy to move in and out of pantries, cabinets, and refrigerators. 

Those who keep empty mason jars on hand will know how frustrating it can be to keep both the lids and their sealing rings organized. The trick to never losing a lid again is to create a dedicated jar lid storage space. This mason jar lid organizer from the Meygajoe store on Amazon comes in three versions — for wide mouth lids ($13), regular mouth lids ($12), or an option that accommodates both ($20). Pile the rings by sliding them over the top of the organizer and stack lids on top of one another in the cubby at the bottom. If that's too fussy, try using another one of the clear, narrow bins to store lids exclusively. And if you don't feel like buying another product, you can always use two small bowls you already have to keep rings and lids separate.