Feeling helpless that your food storage container cabinet is getting out of hand?
We’re here to help you tackle your tumbling mess with creative organization ideas and a step-by-step guide on how to organize your food storage containers!
Watch how we help Mum organize her food storage containers in real life!
Step 1: Declutter Your Collection
The first thing you need to do before you start organizing your food storage containers is to take it all out and assess what you have. Start matching your containers to its lids and if they don’t fit, get rid of it. Dispose of those containers that are broken and stained as well.
Other things to consider when decluttering:
- How much space do you have for storing food storage containers?
- Are leftovers common in your home?
- Do you prepare a week’s worth of meals beforehand?
Based on your needs, cut down on the unnecessary containers and recycle them.
For takeaway containers that you’ve collected (because they are “too good to be thrown away”), only keep a few for when you’re giving food to friends and family. Do not keep too many, recycle them instead to avoid unnecessary clutter. It’s difficult to keep it all organized, especially when they come in different sizes.
Tip: To achieve a consistent look, stick to the same brand of containers where lids match and containers stack well.
If you’re unsure on whether your plastic containers are recyclable, check out our Complete Guide To Plastic Identification Codes on StyleMag to find out what’s accepted in our local recycling bins.
Step 2: Create A System Based On Your Space
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- Image source: Abby Lawson
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- Image source: Maillardville Manor
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- Image source: Room Needs Love
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Now that you’ve decluttered your food storage container collection, it’s time to plan how to store these containers based on the space that you have.
Do you prefer keeping the lid on and stacking it up? If you have the space for it, go for it. It saves you the trouble of finding the matching lid.
However, not everyone is blessed with the luxury of space. To maximise space and prevent the retention of weird smells, you can remove the lids and nest your similar-sized containers together. Keep the lids close by stacking it underneath or filing it in between containers.
Step 3: Start Organizing Your Collection
Once you’re happy with all the containers you have left, it’s time for you to start organizing! Here are 3 ways you can organize your food storage containers, be it in your kitchen drawers or upper/lower cabinets.
For drawers
3.1 Divide your drawers
Image source: Katy Cartland
Keep your drawers organized and divided by using drawer dividers, tension rod or bins. You can even use your old gift boxes or unwanted containers if you still have them lying around the house.
You can demarcate the space in your drawers clearly – group your containers of the same material and size together and place it in one section. Corral the matching container lids together and file it in between containers or store it in another section.
This method keeps your containers organized and prevents your items from sliding around every time you open your drawers. Not only that, it keeps a limit on how many containers can comfortably fit in your drawers so you don’t overstuff.
For upper/lower cabinets
3.2 Using storage bins for easy pull-out
Create a pull-out drawer system in your cabinets with plastic storage bins, trays or large tubs. This system makes it easy for you to grab whatever containers you need – just pull out the bin, take out your container and lid and slide it back.
If you want your cabinets to look aesthetically pleasing, you can opt for clear bins as it gives you a visual reminder of what containers you have. Alternatively, you can use opaque bins to hide away your food storage containers; just remember to label them so you and your family will know what’s in there!
Also check out on StyleMag: 8 Best Organizing Tips From The Home Edit. Number 4 Is Our Favourite!
Tip: You can upcycle your old shoe boxes and cereal boxes at home to store your container lids. To make it look fancier, you can wrap it up in wrapping paper or leftover cloth.
3.3 Maximise space with racks and under shelf organizers
Ft. Grande Under Shelf Basket Organizer
Food storage containers take up a lot of space and it can be especially difficult to organize it if you’re tight on space. Slide in an under shelf basket or add in a wire shelf in your cabinets to utilise dead space.
These baskets and shelves will keep your cabinet organized too – simply separate the lids from your containers and place it inside or below the basket respectively.
Ft. Extendable Kitchen Rack Organizer
Want to maximise storage space in your kitchen cabinets? Check out our range of Kitchen Racks here.
Other Food Container Organization Ideas
You can also repurpose your old dinnerware organizer or dish rack to file container lids neatly upright.
Alternatively, utilise the space behind your cabinet doors by hanging over-the-door baskets to store your container lids.
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- Image source: Natural Homemade Living
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- Image source: Better Homes & Gardens
For these 2 methods, arrange the lids according to height so you can easily grab it at a glance.
Step 4: Maintaining Your System
Now that you’ve organized your food storage containers, maintaining it is key to ensure that your cabinets don’t fall back into an disorganized state. Some rules to keep in mind:
- Remember the order you’ve established in the first place and stick to it. Always put back food storage containers to where they originally came from after using them
- Assess your container cabinet or drawer every 3 months to ensure that there are no broken or stained containers. If there are, get rid of them so you aren’t keeping clutter
- Set a limit for yourself when it comes to collecting containers, whether you’re buying new ones or keeping those that you get from takeaways.
Tip: Try the “one in, one out” method – every time you buy or save a new container, 1 container from your collection has to go. This keeps the number of your containers under control.
As you go along, don’t hesitate to change up any of your organization system configuration if you feel like it doesn’t suit you. The aforementioned methods of organizing are not permanent, so you can tweak it to fit your needs.
There you have it! You can organize your food storage containers in your cabinets or drawers in just 4 simple steps. Get on your feet and start organizing – you’ll be happy to see an organized cabinet every time you open it.
Let us know in the comments below how you’re going to organize your food storage containers!
