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How To Store AND Make Your Vitamins Look Good On Your Kitchen Counter… So You Actually Remember To Take Them

Do you have the ‘vitamin corner’ on your counter?? The other day during our meeting, Emily was telling us that this was a real pain point in her family: a bunch of UGGO JUGGOS of daily vitamins shoved into the corner of her kitchen counter because they have different vitamins for every family member + they need to be HIGHLY accessible. And while you can store some vitamins in your bathroom medicine cabinet (or not in your medicine cabinet, throwback to that design debate), others need to be taken with food and need to be near the kitchen. Plus, it’s already hard enough to remember to take your vitamins, which is why so many of us do the counter sprawl. It’s time to find a better way. So today, we’re giving you options on options of pretty vitamin storage to ease your pain points and keep your kitchen clutter-free (but still functional, obviously). We have everything from a 2-minute quick fix to renovation-based options so there’s truly something for everyone here.

Disclaimer: Finding pretty photos of ‘vitamin storage’ is easier said than done (people don’t want to take pretty, professionally shot photos of their vitamins? Weird, right?), so some of these solutions have other jars/kitchen items in them, so you might need to use your imagination a tiny bit. Mmmmkay, let’s get to it 🙂

Hang Them On A Wall Or Inside A Cabinet

There are going to be 2 kinds of people reading this post: those who want their vitamins out where they can SEE them so they remember to TAKE them, and those who want their vitamins tucked away (but still accessible) so you don’t have the eyesore. With that said, some of these examples will be directed toward one type of person at a time, and others will have two options for both types of people.

We’re starting with an option for both types of people… If you want to SEE your vitamins but don’t want the kitchen counter clutter, try using your vertical space and storing them on a wall as shown above. The photo on the right is a magnetic shelf that attaches to your fridge so if you’re renting and you’re not down to make potentially big holes in your wall for vitamin storage, then that could be a great solution for you. However, if you don’t want them so outwardly displayed but you still want to have them neat, organized, and easy to access then try this:

Hang them on the inside of a cabinet door or pantry door, this way they’re hidden but still organized.

HOT TIP: if you forget to remember to take your vitamins often but don’t want them exposed to the world on a daily basis, hang them on the inside of the cabinet or door you open most frequently. Having them on the pantry door is smart because if you need to take your pills with food you’ll be reminded to take them every time you’re hungry and go to make a snack or meal. Lifehack, am I right??

Stash Them In A Bread Box

If you’re lacking vertical space and your kitchen counters are the best option, try stashing your vitamins and supplements inside a pretty bread box. If you’re forgetful and bad at taking vitamins on time, this is a good solution because you’ll see the box daily which will hopefully remind your brain to take them. You could also put a little post-it note or label on the box for a daily living if you need a reminder.

Decant Into Airtight Jars

home of amanda henderson-marks and michael marks | Photo by eve wilson | via the design files

If you’re the see-your-vitamins kind of person, then these next two options are for you. First, you can decant your vitamins into a jar and display them like you would spices on your counter or open shelving – make sure the jars are cohesive and that they really seal in the vitamins…nothing is worse than a stale gummy vitamin. Again, not a lot of beautifully designed kitchens are styled with decanted vitamins (HOW WEIRD???), so depending on the size of your vitamin or supplement bottle, you could do this with a lot of different sized jars. You could even label them and store them like you would spices in a spice rack if you wanted to! Here’s the best example photo I could find:

image source

Hahaha, it’s so pharmacy chic but you get the picture. Also, I can already hear your comments: “Mallory those jars are TINY for my giant vitamins!!!” My response: Get a bigger jar if you need it (maybe a mason jar!) or if you buy your vitamins in bulk and have a bunch of them, you could put your daily vitamin jars out and then have your bulk vitamins in the pantry to replenish when you need to. Plus this is helpful because you’ll know whenever you’re running low without the surprise panic moment of ‘oops I’m on my last pill’ because that panic feeling sucks.

Another comment I’m going to address before it comes is the ‘IF I DECANT MY VITAMINS HOW WILL I EVER REMEMBER WHEN OR HOW MUCH TO TAKE?’ My response: if you want or need to keep the directions, you could do one of two things: 1. Label your vitamins and put the directions on the back or bottom of the jars (could be time-consuming but worth it if you’re that kind of person), or 2. Keep your vitamin jars in your pantry if you need to double-check directions. Heck, or you could just not decant them and go with another option on this list. It’s your house, your vitamins, you do you sister sue.

Floating Cubbies

image source

Another option if you’re looking to see your vitamins as they deplete (aka have them in a clear container) but you don’t want them all directly on the counter, is to use your vertical space again and get comfy with these kinds of cubbies. I love the idea of having daily necessities decanted and easily accessible in cubbies like this. And let’s be real, seeing when you’re getting low on something and need to restock is truly a wonderful gift you can give your daily self. Depending on the kind of cubby you get, you should have an eye out to make sure they’re well-sealed for the same issue as above (we do not condone stale vitamins or powders in this post thank you very much).

I love how the photo above created these cubbies out of that sidewall area that generally goes pretty unused, too. It’s an awesome storage solution If you don’t the room for the above, then you could also do a cubby situation directly underneath your cabinets like so:

image source

Heck, you could store a lot of things like this, not just vitamins. If you’re lacking kitchen storage space this is a very smart solution. VERRRRY SMART. Plus I think it looks cute!

Pretty Tray To Corral Vitamins

This is probably the easiest ‘fix’ on the list…see how Em styled her cooking oils and such on this cute wood tray/cutting board?? A pretty tray ALWAYS makes things look better, so if you have a tray lying around and want to make a small upgrade right now today, try this out. Will your vitamin bottles instantly turn beautiful? Absolutely not, but at least they will look a little more pulled together and intentional 🙂 But if you do want them to look beautiful then you just decant them AND put them on a tray.

Lazy Susan

via the home edit

The lazy susan was one of the best inventions to ever happen to the home/org industry IMHO. If you have A TON of supplements because you’re trying to be ‘that’ girl (or person), then a lazy susan in the pantry or a cabinet might be the move for you. I love a lazy susan because it lets you rotate and see everything so nothing gets left behind and you don’t have randomness decaying in the back of your pantry. Truly no vitamin gets left behind in this solution, I would just recommend putting these in a cabinet that’s easily accessible (or on your kitchen counter) so you can remember to take your vitamins.

The Pull Out Spice/Vitamin Cabinet

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: inside all our (super organized) drawers & cabinets in the mountain house kitchen

For a more renovation-based approach, consider putting your vitamins in a pull-out cabinet like Em’s spice/cooking oil drawer in the mountain house kitchen. This way they’ll get their own little designated area in the kitchen and you won’t have to wonder where the heck all those vitamins should go. Also, you can keep all of your vitamins in the bottles they come in so you won’t lose easy access to the directions like you would if you decanted them. This one’s a little less easy to see and so it will be harder to remember to take them, but hey you could also just set an alarm or reminder on your phone these days, so if that’s more your speed why not build them into your kitchen design??

Now for some products that can help you achieve your storage needs. HOT TIP: you’ll want to measure your vitamin bottles before you buy any of these, these product sizes vary (and so does each person’s specific vitamin collection). The worst thing would be getting a shelf that doesn’t fit your supplement bottles, so measure before you buy! Also, I included some daily pill organizers at the end since it’s the most affordable and easiest way to quickly organize your vitamins. Plus you can travel with it you’re in the market (they are so helpful!)

Wall Mount Spice Rack | 2. Clear Lazy Susan | 3. Etsy Open Shelving 4. Wood Round Tray | 5. Custom Kitchen Cubbies | 6. Marble Lazy Susan | 7. Bread Box | 8. Magnetic Shelf | 9. Over The Cabinet Organizer | 10. Wooden Pill Box | 11. Day/Night Pill Organizer | 12. Monthly Vitamin Organizer

Hopefully, this post was helpful and gave you some new ideas for this common pain point. If you have any other ideas or ways you store your vitamins we’d love to hear them! We’ll meet ya in the comments section. Thanks for coming to our vitamin ted talk! Goodbye!!

Opening Image Credit: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Inside All Our (Super Organized) Drawers & Cabinets in The Mountain House Kitchen

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Christina
2 years ago

Another thing to think about for folks with young children around is that all vitamins and medicines should be stored away from their reach and preferably in a locked box. We got a clear medicine lock box for like $19 and store it in the cabinet above our fridge. Easy to reach for us tall people, impossible for the little ones. Plus they are all in one spot and easy to find!

Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  Christina

good point!

🥰 Rusty
2 years ago
Reply to  Christina

Yup! Vitamins aee pretty colours and look like lollies/candy!

Alex
2 years ago
Reply to  Christina

Please don’t take vitamins. Eat a varied diet. Remember those large scale randomized controlled trials from the 2000s where all the supplements just led to cancer growth? Please! Only if your doctor recommends. I second the healthy diet instead with lots of fruits and veg and mushrooms.

Siel
2 years ago

I find it so strange to take in vitamins as a normal daily thing. In my country we only take them if they’re specifically prescripted for a particular problem. Just eat your fruits and veggies, no?
I did love the storage suggestions though!

Amanda Newsome
2 years ago
Reply to  Siel

Agreed!

StephanieZ
2 years ago
Reply to  Siel

I take a daily probiotic because my stomach is all jacked up and it seems to help 🙂 Otherwise I eat plenty of fruits and veggies. No other vitamins. I do think the “wellness” industry in the US really pushes the need for all these different vitamins.

Jessie
2 years ago
Reply to  Siel

Totally agree that’s the ideal option, but also that many of us do indeed fall short in that area and it’s not always easy to correct our eating habits. In the US it’s generally accepted that a daily multi-vitamin may not always be necessary, but the worst case scenario is that it’s pretty harmless and not particularly expensive, so I guess it’s a “better safe than sorry” mindset for many people?

Molly
2 years ago
Reply to  Siel

I was just about to comment and ask if anyone has found vitamins that they’ve noticed actually help them feel better. Every time I research a daily vitamin I read about how unregulated the industry is and you basically pee it out. If anyone has a vitamin they think really helps them, I’d love to hear it. But yes – the storage solutions were cool for other things for sure.

Jane
2 years ago
Reply to  Molly

I’m undergoing IVF and there’s specific vitamin levels required, so when my vitamin D was low, I had to take a supplement. With just a supermarket unfancy brand of it for a month, it made a big difference- getting levels checked with a blood test was so interesting to see confirmation that not ALL vitamin supplementation is bogus!

Trudy
2 years ago
Reply to  Jane

Best of luck with the IVF, Jane!

Tanya
2 years ago
Reply to  Jane

The quality of the supplement could be at play. I had the opposite experience — my vitamin D levels then went a little too high and I had to dial down the supplementation. If you really need it, consider trying a higher quality supplement. Wishing all the luck in the world with your IVF journey!

Mary Beth
2 years ago
Reply to  Molly

Because I live in MN, a state that does not get strong sunlight in the winter, my doctor suggested taking a vitamin D supplement. At the time, my vitamin D level was quite low. However, after supplementing for a year, my levels rose dramatically. I do feel that vitamin D boosts my mood and makes me feel better especially during the winter.

Kerri
2 years ago
Reply to  Mary Beth

YES to Vitamin D! I am in Canada and always had low Vitamin D levels but was fairly lax in actually taking them. I was recently diagnosed with MS and it has been linked to chronically low Vitamin D levels. So now I take a TON of vitamins and supplements – but Vitamin D is key!!

Susan
2 years ago
Reply to  Mary Beth

Same state, same outcome for me. Also had levels tested

Susan
2 years ago
Reply to  Molly

The only one I take is vitamin D and it makes a huge difference in my mood.

🥰 Rusty
2 years ago

It’s huge. Everyone stays out of the sun to avoid skin damage = low Vitamin D, especially prevalent in some Asian countries.
My body doesn’t process it properly, so I csn have a tan snd still be lacking.

Kj
2 years ago
Reply to  Molly
Prashanti Lyree-jo
2 years ago
Reply to  Molly

Try find water soluble ones, they absorb better quality

Trudy
2 years ago
Reply to  Molly

I have had migraines all of my life, including my childhood. They became more and more frequent as I aged. My neurologist recommended taking B2, magnesium, feverfew and CoQ10 two or three times a day, depending on the medication. It has reduced the number of migraines I have significantly. It also has reduced the severity and duration of the migraines. It has changed my life for the better.

I keep my meds and vitamins in a gift box with a lid – a pretty one that looks good sitting on a tansu in the hallway. Seeing the box helped me remember to take my pills in the beginning and now it is a habit. But I still like having them nearby, but hidden.

2 years ago
Reply to  Trudy

My doctor also prescribed B2 and Magnesium twice a day for my migraines and they have significantly reduced my number of migraines.

🥰 Rusty
2 years ago
Reply to  Melody

Me too!
Powdered Magnesium is absorbed the best.

Jeanne
2 years ago
Reply to  Molly

I was prescribed vitamin D because the dr found I was insanely low from a blood test (and I live in a sun-shiny state!). That addition helped my depression. I also suffer from eczema and a histamine intolerance which apparently makes it difficult to process vitamin B. Adding Vitamin B complex, Calcium, Zyrtec and oddly Pepcid (dr’s rec) helped me go from being almost bedridden and covered in hives to living a normal life.

**Also for anyone interested in the quality of the brands, this is an AMAZING website. They independently pull product off the shelves and check the accuracy of dosage, safety and the purity (heavy lead etc). It’s pretty shocking to see how some brands score extremely poorly. NatureMade Vitamin D3 gets an F because each pill didn’t have the correct amount of D3 listed on the label!!! However they get an A+ for Vitamin B6. Maybe different vitamins are sourced from different wholesale manufacturers.

https://labdoor.com/

🥰 Rusty
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeanne

Yes and D3 with Calcium means the body can absorb Calcium better = bone health. Critical for eomrn after 30 yrs.

🥰 Rusty
2 years ago
Reply to  Molly

Centrum was recommended to me by a very wel, respected Neurologist.
He’s tested some and said it’s just as good as the expensive ones, if not better.

Emma
2 years ago
Reply to  Molly

I would start with your doctor and get some labwork done to see if you are actually deficient in anything. Just because a supplement is helpful for someone else doesn’t mean it will help you, and it could potentially harm you. For instance, one of my parents is anemic and takes a daily iron pill, and the other one has high ferritin and regularly gives blood to keep it down. A doctor can help you review your results and suggest supplements and dosage.

Emma
2 years ago
Reply to  Siel

There is definitely a weird culture of taking supplements/vitamins in the US, but some of it is legit. I take doctor “prescribed” supplements for a specific condition, and I need to store my prescription medication bottles and birth control blister packs in the same place. There are also some socioeconomic factors – a lot of lower income Americans don’t have easy access to nutritious food (or a place, materials, and time to grow food themselves) and a multivitamin can help fill the gap. There’s tons of info on this online, here’s one example: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4672916/

Granted, Emily’s audience skews white and affluent but it’s something to keep in mind before you judge all vitamin takers!

Karen
2 years ago
Reply to  Siel

My children’s pediatrician scoffed at me when I asked if they needed to take vitamins. She said “healthy diet!”
I think vitamins can fill a dietary hole, however, taking so many vitamins that you need stylish storage seems slightly comical.
Nice storage solutions though!

Ashley
2 years ago
Reply to  Karen

I’ve been prescribed 3 (the third one boosts the second one, because just taking it alone wasn’t raising my levels enough). I also take a daily med. So that’s four, just for me. Then my dog has two prescriptions and I like to keep the Benadryl handy because sometimes I randomly get hives. So that’s seven bottles – definitely enough to want pretty storage. Add in a few more family members and even if they’re only taking one each it could get crazy.

And frankly, I’d at least want pretty jars even if we were only talking about 1 or 2 total because the bottles are ugly.

Karen
2 years ago
Reply to  Ashley

Good point on having multiple people with multiple needs

Lane
2 years ago
Reply to  Siel

Prenatals, before, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. I have to have them visible otherwise I forget. Also vit D for winter months, and for kids. Multivitamin for babies and toddlers. It’s per doctors’ orders. Can’t wait to stop my prenatals+DHA+calcium. I have too many things on my counter. I hate supplements.

Tracy
2 years ago
Reply to  Lane

I had these per doctor’s orders as well. The industry is bonkers though. It’s nearly all snake oil, and where not snake oil can be actively harmful at worst and at best hard to know what to purchase. Also, just a friendly reminder that 99% of the “wellness” industry is hooey… https://www.businessinsider.com/supplements-vitamins-bad-or-good-health-2017-8

LM
2 years ago
Reply to  Siel

haha i agree, I’m actually in the US and vitamins still seem like a bizarre thing to focus on for a post. It’s more like prescription medications are what I/most people are taking everyday. Maybe vitamins felt like a ‘safer’ topic than prescriptions? Though totally agree with the commenter below, the vitamin/supplement industry is a bit scary and unregulated compared to the pharmaceutical industry in the US.

Kate
2 years ago
Reply to  Siel

It really depends. Most vitamins are completely unnecessary but there are a few exceptions. Almost no one gets enough vitamin D during the winter or even summer either if they wear sunscreen regularly. We’re vegetarians so we also take B12 and an Omega 3 supplement (made from algae) because those are both just not present in enough quantity in a vegetarian diet. When my oldest couldn’t have dairy he also took a calcium supplement.

Amy
2 years ago
Reply to  Siel

Hi! I never took vitamins until I discovered I had an (still undiagnosed) autoimmune disease that causes me to not be able to absorb nutrients no matter how healthy my diet. It’s common for people with autoimmune diseases – which are, themselves very common – to be deficient in iron, vitamin D, folate and B12. If you’ve ever experienced being deficient in any of those, you’ll know that it can be debilitating and supplementation is the only way to feel ok and live a somewhat normal life. Please do consider that this is the case for many people (I now have a second person in our household in the same situation who isn’t even 18 yet) before you assume it’s a questionable lifestyle choice.

🥰 Rusty
2 years ago
Reply to  Amy

That’s me!

Tessa
2 years ago
Reply to  Amy

Similarly…..Some people have to take vitamins for health-related reasons. I also have an autoimmune disease, have migraines, and my body does not absorb nutrients normally with food and has to supplement with vitamins. I had bariatric surgery 15 years ago and lost 100 pounds and have kept it off but my system does not absorb the nutrients from healthy/plant-based food normally and I need to supplement with vitamins. I’m anemic, iron, Vit D, Vit B complex, omega, etc…. I have to get my lab work done to check my levels to adjust my supplements. So just “eating fruits and veggies” doesn’t always work in ones favor.

🥰 Rusty
2 years ago
Reply to  Siel

Some people, me included, eat a very healthy dirt but mh dpbody doesn’t absorb certain vitamins properly so i need to rakd supplements like Vit D, Calcium, etc.
It’s not a one size fits all situation.

Susan
2 years ago
Reply to  Siel

Wait til menopause!! You will be trying anything and everything!

Andrea
2 years ago

I love the idea of this, and I have a follow up request that is related: as a family of four we do the weekly vitamin holder for each person and out the bottles away in a cabinet to help with the clutter. But the weekly containers are an eyesore too! Any roundup of cute weekly containers for vitamins you could suggest?? Thanks!

Diane
2 years ago
Reply to  Andrea

I have this one and I like it a lot. Mine is black, but it also comes in gold and rose gold.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BBXK611/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amy
2 years ago

I dedicate the bottom shelf of an upper cabinet in the kitchen to vitamins (in a clear plastic tote) on one side, and meds/supplements for my 3 dogs on the other side. That way when I make their food each morning, their supplements are right there and I also pull out my vitamins for the day at the same time. I never forget because the pups have to eat, and my own vitamins are right there, staring at me too. I would not like to store vitamins, etc on the counter itself, especially since many are better preserved being in the dark during storage.

Addie
2 years ago
Reply to  Amy

I do something similar except I use an open plastic storage basket for the vitamin bottles. The basket lives inside an upper kitchen cabinet that I go into often. It’s in the same cabinet where our tea mugs are stored so that reminds me in the morning. I don’t currently have enough counter space or available wall space in the kitchen to store them outside the cabinets.

Nancy S
2 years ago

Went thru this dilemma a couple of years back. Got so tired of hiding them on the counter in the corner next to the fridge. I looked up a few inches & there is my hanging shelf on the Ikea rod system. Perfect solution.

StephanieZ
2 years ago

So I have a cabbage tureen on my kitchen table that I keep all the bottles of my dogs meds in. He gets one to 2 different meds at every meal and this keeps them easily accessible, yet not obvious. I did have to keep them on the counter in view for a couple of months to get used to giving him daily before I could tuck them away. As for my own meds I bought a vintage pottery vessel with a top that easily pops on and off and that fits both of my daily meds. While really cute it doesn’t completely close so its right inside my pantry. I also have a beautiful catherine holm bowl on my open shelving that keeps more pet meds, like flea and heartworm stuff, but that isn’t used on a daily basis.

Jessie
2 years ago

This was a trick I learned from Sherry at Young House Love. I didn’t really take vitamins until recently, and needed to quickly create the habit since we’re trying to get pregnant and prenatal vitamins from basically day 1 are super important. I keep my vitamins in the same cabinet as my coffee filters, so when I go to make my coffee in the morning, my routine is to pull out my vitamin for the day at the same time – and guess what, it works! Sherry keeps hers next to her tea bags, along with her morning skincare products, and she does that part of her routine while waiting for her water to boil for her tea. I think the key for me is linking the vitamin-taking to another activity I already do regularly and enjoy, so that I’m unlikely to skip or forget.

Devon
2 years ago
Reply to  Jessie

I do this too, cute basket with all the vitamins in the cabinet right next to the coffee and filters. I make myself a vitamin water with lemon while the coffee brews. In our house we do liquid Vit D, zinc, and iodine, then Vit C chewable, and Magnesium. I started while pregnant with my last baby because I was feeling so depleted. I have a lot of energy, sleep well, and rarely get sick. Most of our foods don’t have adequate mineral levels because of soil depletion, plus getting sick sucks. So, I’m a believer.

Christa
2 years ago
Reply to  Jessie

I keep mine in a weekly pill container next to my toothbrush. I brush teeth after breakfast and take the vitamins. My husband has to take medications morning and night, so those are kept in a weekly pill box – it’s matte black, discreet and modern, so it’s fine to sit on the counter.

Dena
2 years ago

Since I make a smoothie everyday, I have a drawer where I keep all my smoothie add ins as well as all our various vitamins and supplements. I know I am going to be in there everyday so I can keep up with the habit.

Renee
2 years ago

As one lady on the Instagram post noted, and as I thought of also– vitamins & supplements optimally need to protected against light and against changes of temperature and humidity. This is why they are packaged in opaque, often-glass containers when we purchase them! Sometimes I leave my opaque, original supplement bottles in a little tray on the counter while I form the habit of whatever the current protocol is, and then put them back in a cabinet. A pantry is probably the best place for the coolest, darkest environment, though. I like this article’s idea of a hanging rack or basket inside 9f a cabinet door! That would be an excellent visual reminder. Or the bread box is a good idea, too, if not kept near the stovetop.

Thanks for the article! We should also remember to protect the properties of our vitamins, just as we are taking them to help protect and strengthen ourselves. 🙂

Emily
2 years ago

All great ideas! Just be careful—most vitamins and supplements shouldn’t be exposed to light or else they’ll lose their effectiveness. So, clear or amber glass, may not be best. It’s good to choose a container similar to the one it’s sold in.

Ashley
2 years ago
Reply to  Emily

Yes! I was going to say this too. Amber glass does at least protect from most light. But if you were going to use that, getting a smaller jar so that the vitamins aren’t exposed for too long before use might help too. I wish there were more pretty opaque options!

cse
2 years ago

I have mixed feelings about how to store daily objects like vitamins and water bottles and kids’ art supplies. On the one hand, I appreciate the beauty of a more serene visual environment with everything tucked away. On the other hand, I hate the pressure (not from EHD, just generally) to hide all evidence of real life from my countertops.

Alice
2 years ago

I used to think that I was a person who needed everything on the counter in my face or I couldn’t possibly remember to take vitamins or meds. After organizing my kitchen and having a completely clear counter now I have found that I have no trouble going into a designated cabinet as a part of my morning routine, and the clear counter is so much more pleasant than the former mess of so much personal stuff on display. Does the whole world need to know what supplements I have to take to help prevent kidney stones? No, no it does not.

Lisa
2 years ago

Mallory: inspired ideas, thank you! I keep supplements in the cabinet and each morning place the day’s dose in a small pretty dish. I take the supplements throughout the day so I find it helpful to put the day’s supply out where I can see it. But the jars remain out of sight.

Cris S.
2 years ago

To echo the first poster – make sure your medicines and vitamins are out of reach of little kids whether they are your own or you have nieces/nephews/grandkids/kids that visit. Eating a handful of something that looks like candy can be life threatening.
We have a basket in a cupboard that holds the multitude of medications my two kids are on (fun!) and I really need to do the work of getting the daily/night & am holders to make it easier on finding things on everyone. I haven’t for years though because my daughter got very upset that her medicine regimen looked like her grandparents and I understand that.
The one thing that has really helped me though was the mention here last year of medicine bottles with the timer in the lid – once you screw the lid back on it starts the timer going and now I know for sure if I’ve taken my one night time medicine before bed or not. Thank you to whichever writer at EHD recommended that! It’s been sooooo helpful!

Lashley Rhodes
2 years ago
Reply to  Cris S.

This is always my reaction when a solution is to “just decant” anything that could be harmful if swallowed (I’ve seen it suggested for BLEACH! not here, thankfully) or life threatening if overdosed. Obviously people with kids have the responsibility to filter out recommendations that aren’t safe for their household, but like you said, occasionally kids visit other people’s homes and seeing colorful, bite size items in cute jars can be very inviting.

Cathy
2 years ago

I take about 30 vites a day. I eat well, too. They’ve been prescribed by my doctor and she changes it up when blood tests show necessary. It’s been a game changer for me. I organize them in plastic pill containers for a months worth of servings. Those get stored in a drawer next to my coffee maker. And I keep the bottles in a covered picnic basket on the floor

Molly Meltsner
2 years ago

I love these weekly pill boxes https://portandpolishco.com/ The compartments are not quite as large as the plastic ones you buy at a drugstore, but they are quite sturdy and make me happy to look at on the counter. I have one color and my husband has another.

Susan
2 years ago

We each just have a small med box strip where each door opens and you take the vitamin for that day. Half an inch wide by 3 inches long. Boom done, no bottles stored in the kitchen at all, easy to tuck away. My little med box sits tucked behind the coffee pot on the coffee shelf, hers is on the windowsill. Both are tiny. The bin with all the bottles is stored in another room and we reload on Sundays. Takes about 2 mins.

elle
2 years ago
Reply to  Susan

Yep. Big bottles are in a box on a shelf in large bathroom pantry. Weekly meds are in weekly labeled pill boxes where they are needed — kitchen for breakfast pills, nightstand for bedtime pills, etc. Refill once a week which allows a peek at the large bottles to know if they need to be re-ordered.

alex
2 years ago

where’s the hack on how to make your family members put the vitamins back in the beautiful storage solution??
This would also be applicable to literally everything else. Shoes, coats, wallets, keys, dishes… HELP.

Holly
2 years ago

I have small amber glass wide mouth jars (similar to these https://packagingoptionsdirect.com/1-oz-dark-amber-square-30-recycled-glass-jar-27-mm-cork-neck-finish?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk469utKs9QIV_iGtBh0w7wLhEAQYDyABEgLuR_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds ) and combine dissimilar looking pills together in one jar. That way for 4 pills I only need to put out two small jars.

And I always keep the pill or vitamin bottle in the pantry with one pill in it so that I can verify what pill is what when I run out.

HRH
2 years ago

We have an entire kitchen drawer devoted to vitamins and prescriptions (no small kids in our house). We use one of those spice organizers for drawers to keep them from moving around. Works great!

Megan Spence
2 years ago

Off topic – but I love that retro clock with the timer in the cubby picture – does anybody know where to purchase a reproduction of something like this?

Jas
2 years ago
Reply to  Megan Spence

Found this one on Amazon by using the Google Lens app, such a lifesaver! https://www.amazon.com/BAI-Retro-Kitchen-Timer-Chartreuse/dp/B0046REQSK?th=1

🥰 Rusty
2 years ago
Reply to  Megan Spence

I have the same one in my kitchen. Take a photo and do an image search on your phone.
It was cheap, my btother found it on an Innovations site.

Kristi
2 years ago

Vitamin bottles on the kitchen counter are a pet peeve of mine! I love this post and these great suggestions!

2 years ago

i think it is awesome content and so helpful to understand worth of vitamins !

2 years ago

it was amazing

Jen
2 years ago

As someone with a chronic illness who takes A LOT of supplements/medications in a day, I keep mine in a square basket on the kitchen counter. Keeps them nice and tidy and visible enough without adding clutter or looking ugly.

Emma
2 years ago

I’m surprised there is no mention of daily pill boxes! There are some cute ones out there and for me it’s the only way to keep track of whether I’ve taken them. The big bottles live in a drawer out of sight and the box lives on my desk.

A.B.
2 years ago

I have this in green on my counter and just toss the bottles in. It’s adorable.
https://www.wayfair.com/storage-organization/pdp/gracie-oaks-first-aid-container-metal-box-w004164340.html?piid=1778409859

Amanda
2 years ago
Reply to  A.B.

This is adorable! I’m definitely looking for something vintage-y cute like this. I love that the first aid look is like a visual reminder to make my meds.

Erica
2 years ago

The content I didn’t even realize that I needed!

linda
2 years ago

Well, as a person who must take meds and Vit D supplements… I have a small lovely little wall basket that hangs well out of reach of grandchildren and it is taken down each evening, the tablets and meds allotted to a small saucer at the breakfast table, and then the basket is hung back up. Not even noticeable, out of the way, handy and safe.

Alex
2 years ago

I thought, based on the photo of Emily chopping veggies, this post will be about how to attractively display and store fruits and vegetables. I was disappointed this was only about storing pills.

Lynn W
2 years ago

We keep our vits on a lazy susan in the pantry Easy to access and out of sight. If anyone on the family needs any meds (antibiotic etc) then we keep that bottle on the island where we can see to remember to take. Hadn’t really ever thought of this situation for people…kinda funny and interesting to read about 😊

Amy
2 years ago

I keep my in the bathroom next to my toothbrush. Brush teeth and take vitamins – that’s my habit stacking hack.

Alec
2 years ago

This is hilariously well-timed because I recently went deep down a rabbit hole looking for ~aesthetically pleasing~ daily vitamin organizers (#ThisIs30).

Amy
2 years ago

There are two of us in our house who have to supplement due to malabsorption plus have prescription meds for the diseases causing the malabsorption. There is no way that I could remember all the pills and doses throughout the day, so we each have daily pill boxes, 7 of them, that I fill up every weekend. I keep the set with one bottle of each vitamin/med in a metal bin on top of the fridge. That way, I pull out the metal bin on the weekend, and with only one bottle per vitamin/med, I know that I’ve doled out everything correctly. Backup/extra bottles are stored in the pantry and I use Amazon (sorry) subscribe n save for the vitamins so we always have the supply replenished. Every night, I take out the next day’s pill boxes and leave them on the counter so we’ll remember to take them and replace that day’s boxes back into the bins. It’s taken me two years to figure this out, hope it helps someone! Also, learned the hard way that many physicians are not up on vitamins/nutrients and doses but registered dieticians very much are! One piece of advice I was given was… Read more »

2 years ago

Geez what an amazing article. It’s tough to read up on this topic and actually find new ideas… but you managed to give me several new concepts and ideas on how to organize in a creative way that is functional and looks really nice. i’m in love with the little cubbies! Beautiful look overall, well done!

🥰 Rusty
2 years ago

Keep things in the original bottle/package – use by dates, UV light protection, etc.
Jeep them all out if reach of children – poisonous.

2 years ago

One thing to keep in mind is that some vitamins (and medications in general) need to be stored out of direct light. That’s why some come in tinted jars or bottles. We keep ours in a cubby on a shelf in an upper cabinet that we use daily when making breakfast.

Leslie Mittanck
2 years ago

I take 3 different vitamins/supplements 2-3 times per day. Once a week, I dispense my vitamins into a weekly vitamin organizer. This way, I’m opening three bottles just once a week, instead of 14-21 times a week! To help maintain quality and potency, I keep the weekly vitamin organizer in the fridge, as well as the bottles of vitamins. When it’s time to take the vitamins, I pull out the organizer, open the little compartment for that day/time, and dump my vitamins into my hand. If you needed to have your vitamins visible as a reminder, you could keep the vitamin organizer on your bathroom or kitchen counter and it would take little space. On another note, I agree that a healthy diet of whole food is the primary path to health. However, I also believe that the industrialized mass-production of the western world’s food supply yields a product that, by the time it reaches our stores and plates, is much less nutrient-packed than it was decades ago. Just one person’s view. Thank you, EHD, for this post!

Christina
2 years ago

another cute pillbox option. you could use the 4 daily compartments for mom, dad, and 2 kids! https://www.chronicallychicboutique.com/shop/p/ginger-jar

Kj
2 years ago
Reply to  Christina

Their combo of a pillbox that sits on top of a matching box for bottles is so clever.

2 years ago

I have those wood pill containers from Etsy and love them! We have 3 – me, husband, and the high maintenance rescue dog also has his own!

Samantha Zutler
2 years ago

I love these ideas! I had no idea there was such a thing as a magnetic shelf for the fridge (but of course there is). Just ordered three. One thing about “seeing” vs stowing vitamins – I’m ADD, and recently learned that it’s common for ADD folks to need to see all of the things so they keep them in their brain. It was super enlightening for me. I’m not just a clutter bug (wellll….); I’m ADD and need to see my stuff!

2 years ago

I organize my pills and vitamins by counting them out into this pill box each week. Since the box is so pretty (I have the pink one), I’m happy to keep it out on the counter near my coffee machine, so I remember to take them each day, and I keep the bottles stored nearby but out of sight in one of my kitchen cabinets.