How to Organize Your Food Storage Containers

Food storage containers are useful right up until you open the cabinet and a pile of lids falls on your head. Containers multiply, lids disappear, takeout containers sneak into the collection, and suddenly half a cabinet is devoted to plastic rectangles.

The easiest way to organize food storage containers is to match every container with its lid, get rid of pieces you don’t use, nest similar containers, and store lids separately. Then give the entire collection a designated space, so it can’t spread into the rest of your kitchen.

Key takeaways

• Match every container with its lid before organizing your collection.
• Get rid of containers and lids that don’t have a match.
• Toss damaged, cracked, warped, or badly stained containers that you no longer want to use.
• Nest containers of similar shapes and sizes to save cabinet space.
• Store lids vertically in a bin, rack, or divider so they’re easier to find.
• Keep containers and lids together in one designated area.
• Avoid keeping more takeout containers than you realistically use.
• Consider switching to fewer container shapes and sizes when replacing your current collection.
• Store frequently used containers where they’re easy to reach.
• Periodically declutter the collection to keep mismatched pieces from piling up again.

Start with a container matching party

Pull out every food storage container and lid you own. Check the cabinets, dishwasher, drying rack, refrigerator, lunch boxes, and anywhere else they tend to hide. Then start matching.

Put the correct lid on every container. Once everything has been paired, you’ll probably be left with a collection of random lids and containers. Give the stragglers one last chance. If there’s no matching piece hiding somewhere in your kitchen, it’s probably time for them to go.

Get rid of damaged containers

While everything is out, inspect your containers. Consider getting rid of containers that are:

• Cracked
• Warped
• Chipped
• Missing pieces
• Difficult to close
• Permanently stained or smelly
• No longer used

If you’re getting rid of plastic containers, check your local recycling rules before putting them in the recycling bin. What can be recycled varies by community and type of plastic.

Pare down the takeout containers

You don’t need to keep every container that enters your house. Takeout containers can be handy for leftovers, meal prep, or sending food home with someone. But there’s a point when saving them stops being resourceful and starts becoming a storage problem.

Decide how many you realistically use and keep that amount. Recycle or dispose of the rest according to local guidelines. And if a takeout container doesn’t have a lid, you already know what to do.

Nest containers together

Once you’ve decided what you’re keeping, separate the containers from their lids. Stack containers of similar shapes and sizes inside one another. Nesting can dramatically reduce the amount of cabinet or drawer space your collection needs.

Avoid creating enormous stacks that are annoying to use. If you have to remove 15 containers to get the one on the bottom every day, split them into smaller groups.

Store lids vertically

Storing every container with its lid attached may sound organized, but it can take up considerably more room because the containers can’t nest. Instead, store the lids together. The trick is keeping them organized enough to quickly find the lid that matches the container you grabbed. 

Think of your container lids like files in a filing cabinet. Stand them upright instead of piling them on top of one another. A bin, basket, rack, or divider can keep them from falling over.

Sort them by shape or size. For example, you might have one section for round lids, another for small rectangular lids, and another for large lids.

Vertical storage lets you see several lids at once instead of digging through a stack.

Repurpose a dish rack

Before buying a special lid organizer, see what you already have. A small dish rack can work as a divider for food storage lids. Slide the lids into the slots where plates would normally go.

You may also be able to repurpose:

• File organizers
• Magazine holders
• Small baskets
• Bins
• Drawer dividers
• Bookends

Use whatever keeps the lids upright and easy to grab.

Use a drawer if you have one

A deep kitchen drawer can be an excellent home for food storage containers. Nest containers on one side and keep lids upright on the other. Drawer dividers or small bins can keep categories separated.

Because you’re looking down into the drawer, it’s often easier to see the entire collection than it is in a deep cabinet. Just make sure the stacks are low enough that the drawer can close without catching on anything.

Add a pull-out organizer to a deep cabinet

Deep cabinets can turn food storage containers into an archaeological dig. A pull-out drawer or cabinet organizer makes items in the back easier to reach. You can keep containers on one side and lids on the other or use separate pull-outs for each.

Measure the cabinet before buying an organizer. Account for the cabinet frame, hinges, and any other hardware that could get in the way.

Use shelf risers

If your cabinet has a lot of unused space above your containers, add another level. A shelf riser can let you store one category above another without creating a giant stack.

For example, you could put large containers underneath the riser and smaller containers on top. This is particularly helpful when your cabinet shelves aren’t adjustable.

Stop buying random container sets

Food storage gets much easier when several containers use the same lids. The next time you replace your containers, consider sticking with one system or buying pieces with interchangeable lids.

You don’t need to throw away perfectly good containers just to create a matching collection. Make the change gradually as old containers wear out. 

Do a quick container check regularly

Food storage collections have a strange way of becoming chaotic again. Every few months, pull out the obvious problem pieces.

Look for:

• Containers without lids
• Lids without containers
• Damaged containers
• Excess takeout containers
• Pieces you never use
• Containers that don’t close correctly

You don’t need to completely reorganize the cabinet every time. A quick cleanup can keep the collection from getting out of control.

Food storage container organization FAQ

What is the best way to organize food storage containers?

Nest containers of similar shapes and sizes together, then store the lids separately in a vertical organizer, bin, basket, or divider. Keep the entire collection in one designated area whenever possible.

Is it better to store food containers with the lids on or off?

Storing lids separately usually saves more space because the containers can nest inside one another. If you have plenty of storage space and prefer keeping lids attached, however, use the system that’s easiest for you to maintain.

How do you organize food storage container lids?

Stand lids vertically in a bin, rack, basket, dish rack, file organizer, or divider. Grouping them by size or shape can make matching them with containers easier.

What should you do with food storage containers without lids?

First, make sure the lid isn’t hiding in the dishwasher, refrigerator, or another cabinet. If the matching lid is truly gone and you don’t have another use for the container, consider getting rid of it.

How many food storage containers should you keep?

There’s no perfect number. Keep enough for your household’s leftovers, meal prep, lunches, and other regular needs. If you routinely have far more containers than you could realistically use at one time, pare down the collection.

How do you organize food storage containers in a small kitchen?

Nest containers, store lids vertically, and use cabinet height with shelf risers when needed. A deep drawer, pull-out cabinet organizer, or compact bin can also help you use limited space efficiently.

Should you keep takeout containers?

Keep them if you regularly reuse them and they’re designed for reuse, but set a limit. If takeout containers are taking over your cabinet, keep the ones you actually use and get rid of the extras.

How can you keep food storage containers organized?

Give the collection one designated home and return containers and lids to the same places after washing. Periodically remove unmatched, damaged, and unused pieces before they accumulate.