I Put a Spice Box in My Home Office, and It Was So Smart

When I was growing up in India, I was surrounded by exceptional home cooks — including my mom, grandma, and uncle. Over the years I’ve been spoiled by their incredible cooking, and have picked up several tips from them. One such tip is to use a traditional stainless steel masala dabba (an Indian spice box) to store my most commonly used spices. I’ve been using one in my kitchen for years, and then a few months ago I decided to buy another one to use in my home office for a brilliant reason.

A popular spice storage container used in Indian kitchens, a masala dabba is typically a circular stainless steel box that holds seven small open bowls, a tiny spoon, and a single lid (which can be transparent). While they come in various sizes, the primary purpose of a masala dabba is to keep your most frequently used spices organized and easily accessible. In fact, it is such a staple in India that it’s rare to see a kitchen without one. You can find one at an Indian store near you, or shop online instead. Amazon has an extremely affordable version, which I have, for under $25. 

A few months ago, I began repurposing a stainless steel masala dabba as the ultimate desk organizer. The small, removable canisters are perfect for the tiny office and craft supplies that usually get lost in my desk drawers, like rubber bands, paper clips, safety pins, thumbtacks, and earplugs. It’s an unconventional storage hack that brings a functional, sculptural look to my workspace.

I simply adore using a traditional Indian masala dabba to organize my office supplies. I placed different supplies in each container, and the transparent lid makes it incredibly easy to spot exactly what I need without wasting time. I love this hack so much that I’m planning on ordering another masala dabba to organize small items on my bedroom dresser. It will be perfect for neatly organizing my hair clips, earrings, scrunchies, and other tiny knickknacks. You could even use it to organize daily bathroom essentials like floss picks, cotton swabs, and cotton pads.

When I told my family I’ve been using a masala dabba in my home office, they were thrilled. My mom said, “In an Indian kitchen, a masala dabba is key. It’s so practical and aesthetically pleasing that I’m not surprised you’re using it in other rooms of your home. Your Indian ancestors would be so proud!”