I've just about always bought turntables (Rubbermaid makes good ones, but so do a lot of companies), either one-or-two-storied, then put them in an overhead cupboard near, but not over, the stove. Mine are a mish-mash of sizes of jars. Right now I buy a lot of spices in ziplock bags that my spice merchant (I cannot believe I have one in such a small town!) sells, so save jars of appropriate sizes, wash and reuse them. The turntables make it so I don't have to shuffle through a shelf of spices to get the ones I want. I don't consistently buy spices in one brand, so am unlikely to every have a lovely, matching, fitted, set. If I happen to buy McCormick or Spice Islands or Penzeys, it goes in in their jar. If I buy bulk, I use an old .. yes, McCormick, Spice Islands, artichoke hearts, or mustard jar. It'll never look pretty!! My Hungarian Paprika and English Mustard will always be in their tins.....
The turntables are, to me, the key. I've owned many sets over the many moves, and they make it so easy to find what I want. The spices I almost never use go into the far corners of the cabinet where the circular turntables don't reach.
My vinegars, soy, some oils, hot sauces, etc, also have a turntable of their own in the same or a nearby cabinet.
If you are not good at "mis en place" (sometimes I am, sometimes I'm not), or are inclined to deviate from recipes (a lot!) it is good to be able to spin the turntable and search for just that ingredient your sauce is missing, without having to knock the stuff in front aside. You also don't "lose" a spice at the back quite so easily, and buy more of what you already have, or forget to look for a recipe for that spice you bought and only needed 1/3 tsp of!!
No really I have some on my counter in my vintage Griffith Milkglass Spice Jar/Rack and the rest are in the cabinet to the left of my stove.
