8 Great Uses for Plastic Storage Boxes

January 11, 2022 by Laura QD

8 Useful Ideas for Your Plastic Storage Boxes

By Rachael – Content Editor

Published 11th January 2022

 

Do you ever look around your house and feel fed up with the amount of clutter and things out of place? Well, you’re not alone. Studies have shown that our moods are actually lifted by a tidier home as it helps us feel more relaxed in our surroundings. So, it’s no wonder we feel fed up with bits and pieces everywhere. Sorting out your home is no easy feat, but there are some easy quick wins that will be sure to help.

It’s time to think inside the box.

We have come up with 8 everyday uses for plastic storage boxes that will leave your home feeling fresh and organised in no time.

Pile of folded jumpers in autumnal colours resting on a white shelf in a dark wood wardrobe.
 

Out with the cold, in with the few.

As the warmer weather sets in and you can just about smell summer around the corner, it’s time to pack away your woollies. Jumpers, cardigans and seasonal knits take up a lot of space in our drawers and wardrobes. Packing bulky clothes like these out of the way in plastic storage boxes will make your day to day life easier. Besides, who doesn’t love nice tidy drawers? Have a good clear-out and free up some room for your favourite spring florals.

“Florals… for spring? Groundbreaking.”

[Miranda Priestly – Devil Wears Prada]

Top tips: Always make sure your clothes are clean and dry before putting them away. Opt for deep plastic boxes when you are storing clothing and pack items loosely to maintain consistent airflow and prevent moisture build-up. You can always pop in some desiccators, such as silica gel packets, for good measure.

Red high heeled shoes in front of a stack of clear plastic boxes filled with pairs of shoes.
 

Don’t just kick your shoes off.

If you’re anything like me, you will have a bunch of ‘occasional’ shoes filling up your shoe rack. We all need something fancy to wear to the next wedding or date night, but you don’t have to store them all together. Taking the shoes you wear less often and storing them in small plastic storage boxes not only frees up space but prolongs the life of your shoes. Keep them free of dust and out of harm’s way so they look their best for your next outing. You can always put in a scented drawer liner or small bag of potpourri with each pair, making your shoes smell super fresh when you come to wear them.

Childs hand sorting plastic blocks into a clear plastic box.
 

It’s tidy-up time!

If you have little ones, you will understand the everyday battle of keeping their space tidy. But never fear, there is plenty we can do to help encourage a tidy playroom. Children love consistency, routine and organisation. Having a sort out of your children’s toys feels like a tedious task initially, but it pays off in the long run. Sort their toys into accessible plastic storage boxes, making it easier for them to know where to put things back. Clear plastic boxes are perfect for this, so they can see what they are looking for – instead of emptying every box to find their favourite fidget toy.

Close up of plastic tiny storage compartments filled with craft shapes.
 

Be crafty with your creativity.

Being creative is good for our wellbeing and is a very popular pass time. Creative activities usually involve a whole host of small parts, tools and materials – all of which need a home. Sometimes I find myself put off from enjoying my favourites crafts just at the thought of finding everything and tidying it all away again. Well, it’s time to take that stress out of the equation. Invest in some suitable plastic storage boxes, take the time to find boxes that suit your materials and tools. Once your favourite creative activities have been organised, you will find it easier to persuade yourself to take some time out and enjoy them.

Baking trays and cake tins on a wooden countertop with an open recipe book.
 

Bake-a-change.

Here we are again, another birthday is here and we need to find the bakeware to make the birthday cake. Time to rummage through the cupboards and await the inevitable landslide of baking trays. Well, we think it is time to bake your life easier. Gather all your speciality cookware that only gets used for special recipes and pop it into a nice big plastic storage box. Even if the storage box ends up living in the cupboard regardless, you will find it a lot less stressful getting ready for those last-minute bakes. Plus, this will prevent the trays from marking the inside of your kitchen cupboards. Next time you need to whip up a batch of biscuits for the summer fete or decide to give that souffle another go, it will all be in a handy place.

Piled up plastic food storage containers with red lids, filled with a variety of dried foods.
 

No more spilling the beans.

Whilst we are still in the kitchen, let’s have a think about food storage. Instead of being frustrated the next time you find three open boxes of cornflakes at the back of the cupboard, give them a forever home with some plastic food storage. Food storage remains a popular household item, although we are having fewer parties about it these days. The majority of our food cupboard staples arrive at us in a type of plastic bag or packaging. Once opened, these bags are hard to reseal and end up spilling out and making a mess in the cupboard. Plastic food containers are perfect for avoiding this, especially for foods such as cereals, dried fruits, legumes and grains.

Not only will you have tidier cupboards, but plastic food containers have an additional benefit. If you fancy making a small change to be a little more sustainable, try finding your local zero waste shop. You simply take along your own clean containers, weigh out your foods and pay. This means you have skipped out the unnecessary plastic packaging entirely.

 

Take the stress out of cleaning.

All this talk of baking and food, but what comes next? Ah yes, mess. Everyone loves their space to be spic and span, but it involves a lot of cleaning products. Finding somewhere to store these can be a challenge with bottles toppling over and sponges on the loose. Instead of wading through dryer sheets and dusters next time you are looking for your favourite scrub brush, find a way to keep it organised. There are plenty of plastic storage boxes that will slot neatly in your under-sink cupboards. Try finding some small plastic containers to sit inside these to keep things separate and easy to find.

Unexpected spills and messy accidents can make us feel very stressed, so we need cleaning products at the ready for a calm clean-up. In addition to this, having cleaning products stored away in plastic boxes with lids, makes them feel a little safer and out of reach.

 

Get some junk in your trunk.

Once the inside of the home has had a freshen up, make sure to give your outdoor space the same treatment. There are plenty of plastic storage boxes which are ideal for outdoor use. Outdoor storage boxes for your garden and garage are often referred to as ‘heavy-duty’ or ‘trunks’. We have a couple of these in our back garden full of summer inflatables, footballs and sandpit toys. Storing away outdoor toys keeps your garden tidier and helps the toys last longer, avoiding plastic waste.

Garden storage boxes are also brilliant for the shed or garage. Keep your plant pots and garden tools tidy and organised in-between seasons. If you have shelving in your garden building, why not keep things like wild bird food stored in a plastic container? This will keep away any unwanted pests whilst ensuring the food is tasty and fresh for your garden visitors.

Above all, make sure your home works for you. Tailor your home storage to suit your everyday needs and make life a little easier for you and your family. Whatever storage solutions take your fancy, let them reflect your style and enhance your living space.