The Comprehensive Guide to Organizing Tupperware and Food Containers

Food containers can make a mess in the kitchen! These ideas will help you keep your plastic containers neat and tidy.

This problem is probably familiar to anyone who has had the misfortune to own a few plastic food containers. As soon as there are at least 3-4 containers, they tend to make a mess in any given area of the kitchen. Whether it’s a section of worktop next to the sink, a dish drainer or even a drawer dedicated to containers, it can be difficult to find what you need and to find the right lid quickly. The ideas below will help you think of ways to store containers in your kitchen so that they’re in order, don’t create visual clutter, and have everything you need at your fingertips.

1. Use a mini drying rack or pot lid holder to store container lids

If you store containers on a shelf in your cupboard, try stacking containers one inside the other and buy a separate small drying rack or pot lid holder for the lids.

2. Divide your drawer using basket organisers

Try to find the right size basket organisers for your containers. This way you can store the same containers and their lids in separate baskets.

3. Try mesh dividers for the drawer

If your drawer is deep enough, mesh baskets or dividers can help so you can see what’s in the drawers.

4. Two lid storage bars

If you have a separate drawer for containers, you can place two bars or rods at the front edge of the drawer to act as lid holders.

You can also run these rods down the centre of the drawer, as you prefer.

5. Pegboard as a base for installing dividers

A simple yet ingenious idea that will help you create dividers in your drawer exactly where you need them. Cut a piece of perforated board the same size as the bottom of the drawer and use pins to divide it into compartments. However, you’ll have to make sure that only dried containers go into the drawer.

6. Hanging basket for storing lids

Find a flat basket of a suitable size and hang it from hooks on the inside of the cupboard. This basket can hold small containers as well as individual lids.

7. Use a paper organiser – or make one yourself

Such organisers are often used in offices to systematise papers. meanwhile, you can place containers (lower tier) and lids (tier above) in them. Of course, access will not be so convenient, but such storage takes up little space!

By the way, reusable bottles can be stored in this way!

8. Adapt a small shelf

Find a small rack on sale that will fit on a shelf in your cupboard and store your containers on it.

9. Organise a hanging shelf

Attach a shelf like this to one of your cupboard shelves: it won’t hold much weight, but it’s great for storing container lids.

10. Buy drawers with dividers for your containers

These drawers are easy to pull out to find and get what you need, and the dividers help keep things organised.

11. Simple boxes will work, too

Simple boxes, such as shoe boxes, are also suitable. You can cover them with cling film for moisture resistance.

12. Use a large desk organiser

Another way to use office supplies in the kitchen: a large multi-drawer desk organiser as a storage bin.