How To Organize Food Storage Containers – Easy Ideas

Since taking on the challenge to declutter my whole house I have found that I have really been motivated to tackle all of the areas of my home! The first room I tackled was my kitchen. One of the most difficult areas in home organization is food storage containers. These tips helped me get everything in place, so maybe they will help you learn how to organize food storage containers, too!

How To Organize Food Storage Containers

Why are food storage containers so difficult to organize? When I first got married we had mostly plastic storage containers. I found they ended up scattered all over my tupperware cabinet and the lids would end up in different places and I could never find what I was looking for. Over the years I have found I don’t need a large number of containers, and it really is better to invest in high quality types of containers. 

I love an organized kitchen, so it’s great to have a good time cleaning out the cabinets and work on the kitchen organization.

Declutter Food Storage Containers

The first step is to declutter those containers! Throw away any nasty plastic food storage containers and get rid of lids that do not match any of your bowls. You want to free up storage space for the items that you actually use.

Nest the Remaining Containers

I nest all of my remaining containers as best I can to create as much space as possible in my cabinet. If you have a large container, it will go on the bottom with containers of different sizes nesting down into the larger containers. 

Stack Food Storage Lids

Stack the food storage lids that are similar in size. I also take a nesting approach with some of the lids and place them under the bowls they belong to. You want to keep items that belong together in close proximity. 

Another great option for storing the lids is to use bins. Look into repurposing items instead of buying new bins. Do you have an old cardboard box you can use for storage? You can cover it with fabric or Contact paper, or not! It’s totally up to you!

You can also use an old cereal box or a magazine holder to store your lids. You may even want to try a dish rack to keep your food storage container collection in some sort of order.

Use a Lid Organizer

There are lots of great options for lid organizers. I particularly like this bamboo food storage lid organizer. Another option for storing lids is a shelf storage basket. These are super handy for finding loose lids easily.

Decide on the Best Place to Keep The Food Storage Containers

Which cabinet will be best for your food storage containers? We keep ours in the cabinet beside the sink so they are easy to access when we are putting away leftovers. Find the most practical spot for your food storage containers. 

The best way to organize your food storage containers is to have a dedicated food storage container cabinet. I’ve always chosen our lower cabinets as a good storage area. You may have enough room in your upper kitchen cabinets, or perhaps you have a deep drawer that works well for you. Find a good place in your kitchen with plenty of room to store your containers.

Organizing Food Storage Containers in a Drawer

If you’re lucky enough to have kitchen drawers or even a small drawer to hold your food storage containers, you can definitely make use of that space! Invest in some drawer organizers to keep your lids and containers contained for easy access.

Upgrade To Glass Containers as You Can

I prefer glass storage containers to plastic. It’s easier to clean and it lasts longer. If you need to microwave something, glass is also safer. You can read all about the various non toxic food storage containers and choose the best one for your food storage collection.

I am obsessed with my ceramic coated glass set of food storage containers from Caraway. They even come with magnetic organizers that fit the containers perfectly and look great on countertops or in an organized cabinet!

Install Cabinet Organizers

Cabinet organizers can be a lifesaver when it comes to organizing smaller items in a larger cabinet. This is another item that I say purchase when you can. They aren’t necessary, but they will make the space look much neater.

Here are a few of my favorites!

There are so many things you can organize with this cabinet organizer.

These organizing shelves are also awesome for creating more space in your cabinets, and they are fairly inexpensive, too!

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