Having an efficient system for storing plastic containers can make life much easier. Plastic containers come in so many shapes and sizes – from small yogurt cups to large storage bins – and they can easily take over cupboards and pantries if not organized properly. With some thoughtful planning and strategic storage solutions, you can keep all your plastic ware tidy and accessible.
Assess your plastic container collection
The first step is to take stock of the plastic containers you currently have by sorting through everything in your kitchen cabinets and closets. As you do this, make note of the following:
- The types and sizes of plastic containers you use most often
- Any duplicate or similar container sizes you have
- The types of foods or items you normally store in plastic containers
- Any lids or matching bases you’re missing
- Any containers that are cracked, stained, or otherwise need to be replaced
- Any specialty containers like bento boxes or divider containers
Knowing exactly what you have to work with will make it easier to come up with an organized storage plan that fits your needs.
Group similar containers together
Now that you’ve conducted a thorough inventory, you can start grouping your containers in logical ways. Some options include:
- By size: Group together small, medium, and large containers.
- By shape: Keep round, square, and rectangular containers together.
- By type of food: Pair containers with foods you frequently store in them, like soups, grains, baked goods, leftovers, etc.
- By material: Sort plastic, glass, and metal containers into separate groups.
- By usage: Separate everyday use containers from ones used for travel or occasional storage.
You don’t necessarily have to use just one system – you may want to first group by size, then organize smaller subgroups by food type or other characteristics. Do what makes the most sense for your needs.
Designate space according to container size
One of the biggest challenges when organizing plastic containers is fitting a variety of oddly shaped items into cupboards and drawers. To avoid a haphazard jumble, designate specific spaces for different container sizes:
- Store small containers like yogurt cups and dressing containers in a shallow drawer, wire rack, hanging shelves, or bin.
- Keep medium containers in regular cupboard shelves, making use of vertical space with stacking techniques or risers.
- Reserve lower shelves or slide-out trays for large bulky containers that need more horizontal space.
- Use door racks or specialty organizers to store lids near their matching containers.
Having a “place for everything” based on container size will make your storage areas feel organized rather than cramped.
Use organizing tools
Specialized organizing products can help further tidy and contain your plastic container collection. Here are some useful options:
- Lazy susans: Spinning turntables are great for corners and keep items easily accessible.
- Tiered shelves: Stackable shelves double your vertical storage space.
- Drawer dividers: These separate compartments help prevent sliding and mixing.
- Under-shelf baskets: Hang baskets under shelves or in cabinet doors for extra storage.
- Lid organizers: Wall-mounted or drawer units keep lids tidy but accessible.
Even simple boxes or bins can help divide categories and prevent a disorganized jumble in cupboards.
Purge what you don’t use
An important final step when organizing plastic containers is getting rid of any you don’t use. Reasons for removal include:
- Cracked, warped, or stained containers that are past their prime
- Lids that no longer have a matching bottom
- Outdated sizes or shapes that don’t meet your current needs
- Extras of very common sizes (do you need 12 small rectangular containers?)
- Specialty containers like baby food or holiday tins that are now obsolete
Ridding yourself of plastic clutter lets you see and access what you actually use on a regular basis.
Store by category in labeled clear containers
For a streamlined look and easier searching, store like items together in matching clear containers labeled with their contents. For example:
- Flour, sugar, and baking supplies in one container
- Spices and dried herbs in another
- Teas and coffee in a third
This makes it simple to pull out the right container when you need it.
Use interchangeable containers if possible
Limit the number of different sized plastic containers you have by utilizing more interchangeable rectangular and square shapes when possible. Having containers in just a couple standard sizes that stack well means you can use them in multiple places and repurpose them more easily if your needs change.
Store based on frequency of use
Place containers you use most regularly in the most accessible spots like lower drawers and front cupboard shelves. Reserve the higher, harder to reach spaces for items you only use occasionally or seasonally.
Keep transparent containers up high
When stacking clear plastic containers, place them on higher shelves and opaque varieties down below. This makes it easier to quickly identify container contents without having to unload everything from up high.
Use shelf risers
Shelf risers instantly double your vertical storage space by creating an extra tier for containers. They come in different heights to fit your needs. Risers are particularly helpful for creating more room on crowded cupboard shelves.
Take advantage of cabinet doors
Use door racks or over-the-door hanging bins to safely store smaller loose items like lids, cups, or spice containers on the back of cabinet doors to free up shelf space. Just be sure what you store is lightweight enough.
Store lids separately
Rather than struggling to neatly stack lidded containers, store lids separately in their own small organizers. Options like wall-mounted racks or drawer dividers keep them easily accessible but out of the way.
Use vertical space
Besides shelving, take advantage of all the unused vertical storage space in your kitchen. Hang spray bottle racks, wall-mounted lid racks, narrow shelving, or mesh racks. You can store stackable or oddly shaped containers that would otherwise clutter prime shelf space.
Keep like sizes together
For a streamlined look, store plastic containers right side up and grouped by similar heights on the same shelf. This helps each area look neater and makes sizes easier to grab.
Don’t overload shelves
Cramming too many containers onto a shelf makes it hard to see and retrieve items in the back. Maximize usable space but don’t overload. Leave a bit of breathing room between containers so you can actually access everything easily.
Label for visibility
Use labels, stickers, chalk markers, or painter’s tape to identify unlabeled plastic containers stored out of sight or up high. This avoids the hassle of moving everything around when searching for a particular item.
Consider clear stacking bins
Clear stacking storage bins are great for keeping categories separated while still being able to identify contents. They take advantage of vertical space while keeping everything visible.
Store by day of week
If you prep and pack meals or snacks for the week ahead, dedicate specified containers for each day of the week. Store them together in an organizer, shelf, or designated area of the fridge or freezer.
Make use of cabinet dead space
Take advantage of the narrow dead spaces between cabinets or appliances by storing slimmer containers like lunchboxes or shallow trays upright here. You can also install pull-out vertical racks.
Reuse everyday containers
Wash out and save sturdy plastic containers like yogurt tubs, cottage cheese cartons, or deli takeout containers to reuse for storing leftovers or pantry staples. Just remove original labels and replace with your own.
Contain the small stuff
Small loose items like snack bags, plastic lids, and condiment packets can quickly clutter drawers and shelves. Corral them in caddies, trays, or small bins to keep them under control.
Store baking items together
Keep all baking supplies like flour, sugar, chocolate chips, etc. together in a labeled bin or set of stacking canisters. This makes it fast and easy to grab everything you need.
Use drawer dividers
Plastic cutlery trays or DIY cardboard dividers are perfect for separating categories of items in kitchen drawers, like utensils, containers, foil/plastic wrap, etc. This prevents a jumbled mess.
Take stock regularly
Make a habit of periodically taking stock of your plastic containers and getting rid of any you no longer need. Reassess how you’re organizing them and make changes as your storage needs evolve.
Combine like items in bins
For a neater look, keep all your food storage bags, wraps, containers, lids, etc. corralled together in labeled bins instead of spreading them throughout your drawers and cabinets.
Consider container types
Glass and metal containers have pros and cons vs. plastic varieties. Think about factors like breakability, staining, smell absorption, microwave- and dishwasher-safety, and weight when deciding which to use.
Dual-purpose organizers
Repurpose everyday items like utensil crocks, lazy susans, and bathroom accessories to neatly store plastic containers. Multi-purpose organizers avoid clutter.
Store upright and stacked
Stand plastic containers upright rather than laying them down flat to maximize shelf and cabinet space. Place smaller containers inside larger ones for efficient stacking.
Angle for visibility
Angling transparent containers makes contents more visible than stacking them straight up and down. But only do this if they won’t topple over easily.
Use anti-skid liners
Shelf liners with grip can prevent plastic containers from sliding around cabinets. They also protect shelves and make cleanup easier if spills occur.
Trash the unfixables
If a container is so badly warped, cracked, or discolored that no amount of cleaning can rehabilitate it, don’t force yourself to keep finding new ways to use and store it. Let it go to free up space for more functional containers.
Conclusion
Organizing your collection of plastic containers simply takes some upfront sorting and decision-making to design a storage plan tailored to your space and needs. But the payoff is well worth it in reduced clutter and easier access. Implementing even a few of these handy tips can transform your chaotic cabinets into a streamlined plastic container paradise!
