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How to organise food storage containers

Containers are kitchen essentials — to store leftovers, bring lunch to work or school, or organise your fridge and pantry — but the clutter they cause can be a real nuisance. Get rid of the frustrating mess of mismatched containers and missing lids and check out how you can get them sorted once and for all.

A bamboo BLANDA MATT serving bowl
Several food storage containers of different types are stacked on a worktop, including colourful GARNITYREN bowls with lids.

How do you declutter food storage containers?

First, take out every item and assess what you already have at home. Get rid of broken or miscoloured containers and the ones that lack a matching lid. Then take some time to identify your habits — they determine how many food storage containers you need. Replenish your stock so that you’ll always have the right solution for every occasion.

  • If you bring packed lunches to work or school, or if weekend picnics are your thing, you’ll benefit from light plastic containers in different sizes, with tight lids.
  • Are you used to preparing a week’s worth of meals to keep in the fridge and reheat? Oven-safe glass containers are ideal for you. Just put the container straight into the oven or microwave oven when it’s time for dinner.
  • Eager to decrease accidental food waste? With transparent containers you’ll always know what you have at home, encouraging you to use the food that you buy. Tight lids make both raw ingredients and leftovers stay fresh for longer.
  • If you like a touch of nature in your kitchen, containers with lids of wood or bamboo can be just what you’re looking for. The aesthetically appealing lids can be used as trivets to protect your table from heat damage.
  • Are you enjoying canned fruits and pickled vegetables from your own garden? Glass jars and bottles will keep them tasty through the winter months.
See all food storage containers
A kitchen cabinet has two drawers, one with drawer dividers and one with a pegboard, where containers and lids are stored.

How do you organise containers in a drawer?

A kitchen drawer is an excellent place for empty food containers, as you get an eagle-eye’s view and will quickly find what you’re looking for. With some practical and affordable accessories, you can get organised in no time.

  • Drawer dividers prevent containers from sliding around and getting disorganised or chipped. The dividers are easy to adapt to the height of the drawer and can be moved around to fit your needs. Here, containers are placed in one compartment and the lids are sorted according to type in the other two
  • A pegboard is another way to organise the drawer, keeping all items neatly separated and easy to find. The adjustable pegs make it easy to customise the drawer according to content.
  • If you have glass containers, you may want to consider a drawer mat to protect both the kitchenware and the drawer from scratches.

Whether you’re using a drawer divider or a pegboard, it’s best to store the lids vertically. It allows them to airdry if they’re still a little wet after the washing up and you can easily find the one you’re looking for.

See all drawer dividers
A white kitchen cabinet with shelves has several kitchen items stored on VARIERA shelf inserts and in PÅLYCKE wire baskets.

Use shelf inserts and wire baskets to maximize cabinet space and easily to access without clutter or stacking.