I recently reposted a video on my Instagram story of a woman who reaches to put away an empty Tupperware container in her kitchen cabinet, and the whole stash of plastic containers from her already full cupboard falls out and hits the counter, followed by an avalanche of mismatched lids. Does this sound familiar at all? If so, keep reading because today I am going to show you exactly how to organize your Tupperware and lids so they stay neat and tidy. Let us get started.
01. Match Containers & Lids
First things first, we need a blank slate. Empty every single container and lid onto your kitchen counter. Now it is time to play the matching game. Put the lids right onto the containers. If you find a container without a lid, put it in the recycling bin. If you find a random lid without a bottom, recycle it too. You only want to keep complete sets.
While we are sorting, let us talk about glass versus plastic. I highly recommend switching to glass containers for your daily use. You should never reheat your food in plastic, so glass is a much safer and cleaner option. Plus, it looks absolutely beautiful and minimal in your fridge. You can definitely keep a few plastic containers on hand for when you want to send leftovers home with friends, but try to use glass for yourself.
02. Decide Lids On Or Lids Off
The way you store your containers really depends on the type you own. If you have a beautiful matching set, you want to keep the lids off. Matching containers are designed to nest perfectly inside each other, which saves you a massive amount of space.
If your collection is a mishmash of different brands and sizes from over the years, you are better off keeping the lids on. Storing mismatched containers with the lids attached prevents you from digging through a pile and trying on three different lids just to see what fits.
03. Choose The Right Spot
Where you store your containers matters just as much as how you stack them. A drawer is the absolute ideal location. When you pull out a deep drawer, you can see everything you have right from above. It makes it incredibly easy to grab exactly what you need.
If you do not have a drawer to spare, a shelf is your next best option. If you are using a shelf, I strongly recommend keeping the lids on your containers so nothing gets lost way in the back.
04. Use Simple Storage Supplies
If you are lucky enough to use a drawer, an expandable divider is going to be your best friend. You simply create a section for your nested containers and a separate section for your lids. Place the lids vertically like files in a cabinet, keeping the round ones together and the rectangular ones together. A bamboo lid organizer is another gorgeous option that works beautifully in a drawer. These supplies have a low cost but make a huge difference in how your space functions.
If you are storing everything in a deep bottom cabinet, treat your containers exactly like clothes. Use deep bins and stack your Tupperware vertically inside the bin, similar to how you would file fold clothes. When you need a container, you just slide the bin out like a drawer.
If you only have a top cabinet, these are usually shallow at around twelve inches deep. Keep it super simple here. You do not need any special organizers. Just stack your containers with the lids on, keeping similar sizes and shapes together.
Organizing your Tupperware does not require a complicated system. Follow these simple steps, reclaim your cabinet space, and enjoy a much more peaceful kitchen. You have got this.
You have tackled the Tupperware, and your kitchen is already feeling lighter. Taking these small steps creates a huge shift in how your home functions every single day.
But what happens when you move on to the next cabinet and find items you are just not sure about? If you hesitated to let go of those expensive food storage containers you never actually use, you might be stuck in the money trap. I wrote an entire post on how to navigate this exact feeling.
Head over to my post How Do I Decide What To Get Rid Of to read more and download my free decision guide. It will give you the exact questions to ask yourself so you can conquer the rest of your kitchen with confidence and zero guilt. Happy organizing.
