Time to dive into one of the messiest cabinets in any kitchen and address Tupperware organization and food container storage.
After all, is there anything more frustrating in a home than a messy Tupperware cabinet?
The one stuffed with mismatched lids and food storage container bottoms that you hesitate to answer because of the impending avalanche?
We all have that one spot in the kitchen devoted to food storage containers, and it is usually one of the messiest zones in the house.
But getting your Tupperware cabinet organized isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about preserving your sanity on a Tuesday night when you just want to put dinner leftovers away quickly.
If you are ready to stop digging for lids and reclaim your cabinet space, read on for real-world solutions for storing food containers and organizing Tupperware.
Food Container Organization 101: Match and Declutter
Before buying any fancy organizers or rearranging shelves, address the root of the problem: too much stuff that you don’t actually use.
You cannot organize clutter, even if it seems as innocuous as food storage container.
Food storage containers seem fairly innocuous, but in my experience, they’re like bunnies, rapidly multiplying until you’re overrun!
The reasons for this are many- new storage containers come into your life pretty much every week.
And it certainly seems like a really great thing to reuse something instead of tossing the containers into the recycling bin or trash.
But it is possible to have so many containers that it makes it more difficult to find what you need.
When your cabinets are so chock full and that’s the opposite of the dreamy kitchen cabinet organization you’re aiming for.
So let’s start the Tupperware organization process by paring down your collection.
Pull every single container out of your cabinets and onto your counter or table.
Now, it’s time for some tough love and time to let some of your containers go.
You probably don’t need all of the containers you have.
Here are some easy containers to let go of without hesitation:
The Lonely Hearts
Any bottom without a matching lid, or a lid without a bottom, has to go.
Don’t keep them “just in case.”
They are space-wasters.
The Damaged Goods
Inspect your plastic containers closely.
Toss anything with cracks in the lids (they won’t seal properly anyway).
Toss containers that have deep staining, pitting from microwave use.
These can harbor bacteria and aren’t safe for long-term storage.
Toss glass containers with chipped edges.
You don’t want to accidentally cut yourself on the ragged glass or risk the container shattering.
The Repurposed Containers
Toss any cool whip, yogurt, butter or take out containers or any other type of container that wasn’t purchased specifically for food storage.
The truth is that butter tubs and take out boxes aren’t actually designed to be safe for food storage.
They’re intended to be single use containers only and the plastic isn’t designed to hold up long term.
They’re great for storing non-food stuffs though, so consider reusing them for gardening or craft projects instead of leftovers.
Glass vs. Plastic Food Storage Containers
As you curate your food container collection, consider what you need in terms of the type of food storage you need, namely plastic or glass.
Plastic is lightweight and great for portable lunches and typically bounces without damage when dropped.
It’s not a forever container though.
It’ll break down over time, especially if used in the microwave or washed on anything but the top rack of the dishwasher.
Glass containers, on the other hand, is heavier, and may break if dropped, but has a host of benefits plastic containers can’t match.
Glass doesn’t stain, re-heats safely, and looks uniform in your fridge or pantry.
A healthy mix of both often works best for most families.
Tupperware Organization: Storage
Once you have pared down your collection to the essentials, it’s time to establish a home for the containers.
The best way to organize depends entirely on where you are storing them.
Here are three common kitchen scenarios and how to handle them:
Container Drawer Storage
Deep kitchen drawers allow for easy storage of Tupperware food containers.
Drawers allow you to look down on your collection, making everything visible at once.
Store the Tupperware with the tops snapped onto the bottoms and stack in the drawer, arranged by shape and size.
Resist the temptation to toss everything into the drawer loose.
When the tops and bottoms are matched up, you can get the precise container you want with one hand.
No digging, no wasted time.
Upper Kitchen Cabinet Storage
Upper cabinets are tricky because things easily get pushed to the back and forgotten.
You can combat cabinet container chaos by carving out intentional space for food container storage.
Just like other spaces, lids are best kept together with the bottoms.
Don’t buy an organizing product designed to hold all of your lids.
It’s just another thing to clutter up your cabinets and won’t actually help the space stay uncluttered.
When the lids are stored right on the containers, you always have a matching set ready to grab and use.
But Christina, you say, when you store the lids on the containers they take up so much stinking room!
Yes they do, but she who dies with the most plastic containers doesn’t win.
Rather, she who gets in and out of her cabinets in the least amount of time is the winner in my eyes.
And storing the lids on the container will get you in and out of your cabinets in mere seconds.
Lazy Susan Corner Cabinet Solution
The corner cabinet Lazy Susan is often called the “black hole” of kitchen storage.
Things spin around and fall off the back, never to be seen again.
But with the right tools, it’s actually great for Tupperware and food storage containers.
Stack up the larger containers based on shape and size.
Keep smaller containers from disappearing by putting them in an open top bin.
Foos Storage Container Organization: Before and After
This client’s cabinet was an overwhelming mess of different containers, big and small.
She asked me to create a orderly cabinet and wrangle the containers into submission.
The before is a nightmare of container lids and bottoms, with a big time commitment to find matches.
The after is way more inviting, especially since it’s easy to find and grab out the exact size needed.
This family often gives leftovers in the reused takeout containers, so I separated out those so they’d be easily accessible.
The daily food storage containers had a front and center position to distinguish the two types of containers.
Watch this
Over to You
Organizing your food storage Tupperware containers is a small project that makes a massive difference in your daily kitchen routine.
By decluttering ruthlessly and using the right strategy for your specific cabinet type, you can turn that chaotic Tupperware cupboard into a functional, organized space.
Yay to little home organizing projects that make a huge difference!
Resources You’ll Love
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