6 Best Nesting Measuring Spoons For Tiny Kitchens That Maximize Every Inch

You’ve just finished prepping dinner in your tiny kitchen, and the drawer won’t close. A jumble of mismatched measuring spoons, tangled on a metal ring you can never seem to open, is the culprit. This tiny frustration is a daily reality when every square inch of storage is precious real estate. The right set of nesting measuring spoons isn’t just a kitchen tool; it’s a strategic move to reclaim space and sanity.

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Why Nesting Spoons Are A Tiny Kitchen Essential

In a small kitchen, your drawers are not just storage; they are prime operational zones. Every item has to justify its existence, and a clunky, disorganized set of measuring spoons fails that test immediately. They spread out, get lost, and create a daily source of friction that makes cooking feel like a chore.

Nesting spoons solve this by creating a single, compact unit. Instead of five or six individual items floating around, you have one object that takes up a predictable, minimal amount of space. This is the difference between a drawer that closes smoothly and one that requires a strategic jiggle. It’s about creating a system, not just storing a tool.

The best nesting sets go beyond just stacking. They use magnets, clever snap-in designs, or removable rings that make it easy to grab the one spoon you need without dismantling the entire set. This ease of use is critical. If your space-saving solution is a hassle to use, you won’t use it, and you’ll be right back where you started.

OXO Good Grips: Top Magnetic Nesting Choice

If you’ve ever fumbled with a cheap metal ring, trying to pry off the one tablespoon you need, you understand the simple genius of magnets. The OXO Good Grips set uses strong magnets embedded in the handles to hold the spoons together in a neat, secure stack. You can easily pull one off the top or bottom without the rest falling apart.

Made from durable stainless steel, these spoons feel substantial and won’t bend when you’re digging into hardened brown sugar. The measurement markings are etched directly into the metal, so they won’t rub off after a few dozen trips through the dishwasher—a common failure point on cheaper plastic sets.

The handles also feature the classic OXO non-slip grip, which is a small but appreciated detail when your hands are wet or oily. They lay flat on the counter without tipping over, preventing annoying spills. For pure function and ease of use, the magnetic design is a game-changer in a cramped drawer.

Joseph Joseph Nest: Ultimate Compact Design

When your drawer space is measured in millimeters, the Joseph Joseph Nest set is the undisputed champion of compactness. The design is brilliantly simple: each spoon snaps securely into the handle of the next larger one, creating a single, solid block with no wasted space. There are no rings and no gaps.

This design makes them incredibly easy to find and grab. You’re not fishing for a stack; you’re picking up one solid object. The colorful handles aren’t just for looks; they provide quick visual identification, letting you grab the 1/2 teaspoon without having to read tiny engraved markings.

The tradeoff here is the material. These are made from high-quality, BPA-free plastic. While durable for most uses, they can be prone to staining from potent spices like turmeric and aren’t as indestructible as their stainless steel counterparts. However, for the absolute minimum footprint, nothing else comes close.

U-Taste Rectangular Spoons for Spice Jars

Here’s a scenario every tiny kitchen cook knows: you buy standard-sized spice jars because you don’t have room for bulk containers, but your round measuring spoons won’t fit inside. The U-Taste rectangular spoons are designed specifically to solve this problem. Their narrow, elongated shape slips easily into almost any spice jar, saving you the hassle of pouring (and spilling) spices onto the counter.

Most sets, including U-Taste’s popular stainless steel version, are magnetic, combining the best of both worlds. You get the easy-to-store nesting stack and the practical, jar-friendly shape. The dual-ended design on many models is another space-saver, often providing both teaspoon and tablespoon measurements on a single spoon.

This is a perfect example of how a small design choice can have a huge impact on daily workflow. It eliminates a common point of frustration and makes the cooking process smoother. If you frequently cook with dried herbs and spices, a rectangular set isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Prepworks by Progressive: Colorful & Magnetic

The Prepworks set takes the magnetic concept and adds a few clever twists. Like the OXO set, these spoons nest together with magnets, eliminating the need for a ring. But they distinguish themselves with a dual-ended design and bright, functional color-coding.

One end of each spoon is a narrow oval, perfect for spice jars, while the other end is round, ideal for measuring liquids accurately. This is like getting two sets of spoons in one, a massive win for space efficiency. The colors make it easy to grab the right size at a glance, which speeds up prep time.

These are typically made of plastic, which makes them lightweight and affordable. The measurements are printed on the handles, which can be a long-term durability concern, but their sheer utility is hard to beat. For a versatile tool that solves multiple problems at once, this set is a strong contender.

KitchenArt Adjust-A-Teaspoon: Single-Tool Solution

For the true minimalist, why have six spoons when you can have one? The KitchenArt Adjust-A-Teaspoon isn’t a nesting set, but it achieves the same goal of radical space reduction. A simple sliding mechanism on the handle allows you to select measurements from 1/8 teaspoon all the way up to a full tablespoon.

This single-tool approach is the ultimate space-saver, taking up no more room than a single large spoon. It’s an elegant solution for RVs, boat galleys, or anyone with just one small utensil drawer. You’ll never lose a single spoon because there’s only one to keep track of.

The primary tradeoff is cleaning. You have to be diligent about cleaning the sliding cover and the chamber, especially after measuring sticky ingredients like honey or oily ones like peanut butter. Some also find the precision can be slightly less exact than with fixed spoons, but for most day-to-day cooking, it’s more than adequate.

Cuisinart Stainless Steel: Classic Durability

Sometimes, you don’t need fancy features. You just need a tool that works, lasts forever, and does its job without fuss. The Cuisinart Stainless Steel set is the workhorse of the measuring spoon world. It’s a classic design: heavy-gauge stainless steel spoons held together on a simple, removable ring.

There are no magnets to fail or plastic to stain. The all-metal construction means you can use them to scrape out the last bits of hardened ingredients without fear of bending or breaking. The weight and feel are substantial, and the etched markings will never wear off. This is a buy-it-for-life kind of tool.

While the ring can be slightly less convenient than magnets, it’s also foolproof. The whole set stays together, period. For cooks who prioritize bombproof durability and longevity over the latest design trends, this traditional approach is often the best choice.

Choosing Your Spoons: Material & Shape Matter

Picking the right set isn’t about finding the "best" one, but the best one for you. Your cooking style and storage constraints should guide your decision. Focus on these three key factors:

• Material: Steel vs. Plastic. Stainless steel offers incredible durability, won’t stain or absorb odors, and the markings are often etched for permanence. Plastic is lightweight, often more colorful and affordable, but can stain and may not withstand heavy-duty use over many years.
• Shape: Round vs. Rectangular. This is a purely practical consideration. If you use standard store-bought spice jars, get rectangular spoons. It will save you countless moments of frustration. If you buy spices in bulk or use wide-mouth containers, round spoons are perfectly fine for both dry and liquid ingredients.
• Nesting Mechanism: Magnets vs. Rings vs. Snap-In. Magnets offer the best balance of security and convenience. Rings are simple and secure, but can be clumsy. Snap-in designs, like the Joseph Joseph, offer the most compact footprint but are almost always plastic.

Think about your biggest pain point. Is it fumbling to get one spoon off a ring? Get magnets. Is it not being able to fit your spoon in a jar? Go rectangular. Is it purely about taking up the absolute minimum amount of space? The snap-in or adjustable models are your answer.

In a tiny kitchen, the small details make all the difference. Optimizing something as simple as your measuring spoons removes a piece of daily friction, making your space more functional and enjoyable. Choose the tool that solves your specific problem, and you’ll reclaim not just drawer space, but a little bit of peace of mind.