This is one of those projects that I actually worked on and completed even though I was not documenting in this space at that time. In working on this cabinet, the goals were to get rid of most of the plastic containers, replace them with glass containers, and only keep what was actually needed. I also wanted to not have things fall out when I opened the cabinet!
I’m pleased to stay that I did accomplish these goals and that this project did not take a long time at all. And, I’ve been using the reorganized cabinet in this way for a few months and it has continued to remain clean and organized and the containers I have are working out!
START OF THE PROJECT
I was so excited to start this project that I forgot to take an actual “before” photo with all of the containers stuffed to the gills! Once I remembered that I needed a “before” photo, I took a photo of the cabinet and the items that I had already pulled out.
DECISIONS TO BE MADE
In decluttering and deciding what to get rid of and what to keep, I also had to decide how I wanted to store the containers-with or without the lids. There are a couple of schools of thought about this. Some people are firm believers that you should store the containers with their lids on and others believe that it’s better stack the containers inside one another. Both points have merit but I have had success with storing the lids separately. When you store containers with their lids, I think you have less room for containers overall. However, this could be a good way to store them if you want to limit the number of containers.
One of the things I don’t know how to handle is what happens when you break a container? Do you also dispose of the lid or do you keep it “just in case”?
In the above photo, in this basket, I keep all of the lids stored from small to large. It works and I like it. I can also find what I need.
And as usual, I took everything out and started with an empty space! My favorite moment!
THE END RESULT
Here is everything put back into the cabinet and nothing is falling on me! You will see that I do still have a few plastic items. I got rid of the cheap ones that stain and kept ones that I use regularly and are more sturdy. On the top left, I have the clear hard plastic ones where I keep fruit and lettuce on top of a container that is a salad bowl that I use for lunch. On the top right, I have my souper containers that I use for freezing items.
In the middle left are multi compartment containers that I usually use for lunch. However, I could likely reduce the quantity of those and might do that. Next to those containers is one of my favorite kitchen tools, my counter top shredder. On the right middle, I have a shelf with some small lunch containers that I generally use for snacks to carry with me. Under that are some glass bowls.
On the bottom left, is my container which houses all of the lids for the containers in this cabinet. On the right side, is the bulk of my glass containers in various shapes and sizes.
You’ll also note some random glasses on the top shelf. These glasses were already there and will likely get a new home with other glasses when I go through and declutter other cabinets.
One of the things I’ve discovered and accepted is that decluttering and organizing is an ongoing process that can be adjusted as needed. I can get rid of some of the containers that I kept this go round if I find that they are not useful to my ongoing needs.
OFF TO THE DONATION CENTER
And this is my 2nd favorite moment! This is the pile that will be going off to donation. Some of these containers were really easy to get rid of. However, that set of Tupperware containers with their lids was tough. Why??? Because at the time of purchase, they were pretty pricey for the set and for nostalgia reasons. Tupperware was THE storage choice since my childhood. I decided that I would be really happy to have someone else have them and use them. I hadn’t really used most of them for years.
The storage containers in the kitchen are now organized! Not sure which cabinet I’ll do next but I know that my cabinet with coffee mugs and water bottles is in desperate need of attention.
So tell me, what is your opinion on storing containers with lids or not? Are you team lid on or team lid off? What do you do with the lids with broken containers?
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