Mumsnet Talk

Such a banal question, I know, but we had a pan drawer full of the stuff in our last kitchen and it always drove me mad trying to find some lid that didn't want to be found.

Planning the kitchen in our new house and wondered whether anyone had any ingenious solutions for keeping the plastic crap we accumulate under control.

We have a giant cupboard devoted mainly to plastic stuff and cutting boards, baking trays, and big casserole dishes. We normally just open the doors, chuck stuff in, and slam door quickly so things don't fall out. And then we swear loudly when the inevitable avalanche hits.

There's how not to do it.

Drawers definitely better than shelves ime - toppling towers of tupperware don't suit shelves! Maybe two shallowish drawers rather than one huge deep one would help to organise it a bit?

LOL - you need to move on to a drawer. Still chaos, but at least you're not taking your life into your own hands every time you need to find something to put leftover baked beans in (that will go mouldy in the back of the fridge before anyone remembers to eat them)...

I open the plastic box cupboard very carefully, throw it in and shut the door quick!

Actually we do have a shallow ikea trofast box on the shelf in the cupoard for all the smaller bits.

You could also compartmentalise two or three drawers using biscuit tins / shoe boxes (or some more sophisticated compartmentalising system!).

Store anything like plastic chopping boards / baking trays separately, not underneath other smaller things. ideally propped upright like books on a suitable shelf or surface.

Ah the plastic box paradox.

I hate plastic boxes. Unfortunately I also seem to love them too .

I have never cracked the storage problem. I jam mine in a small cupboard and much swearing and murderous threats are required upon opening and closing that cupboard because everthing regularly erupts from it in an almighty clatter.

Dh quite reasonably suggested I 'throw some away..' A logical and yet quite inconceivable suggestion. Another paradox. I think I need help. I wonder if there is a special plastic box counselling line I could contact...<twitches>

A draw, I want a deep plastic tat draw. I too have a grab and slam cupboard, it does not work well.

I have a plastic crate for DDs drink bottles and that is a great improvement, since they always fell over. The plastic box mountain needs a similar home.

I have all mine in a plastic - carrier/rubbish - bag under the kitchen table..

I'm currently subscribing to Yank's cupboard. I really need to throw 90% of the damn stuff away and have a nice tidy little box.....

Hahahahahaha never gonna happen

Some things just can't be stored. Another thing I am always in combat with are hangers.

Hangers and the plastic boxes are in league with each other for domestic dominaton.

In an Ikea wicker basket on top of the fridge

store it in a dustbin which you put by the front path.

Massive drawer. I looooove it.

Plastic baskets from wilkinsons do the trick here - plus you can buy quite a lot of them for not much and they fit perfectly in my cupboards.

Have a look here
chezlarsson.com/myblog/2009/05/my-stash.html

Strictly for the tidy/anal retentive...

Love this thread! I've been known to break down in tears when the one plastic lid I'm searching for falls behind the back of the drawer. About to move in to new kitchen so think a crate/plastic basket on a shelf might be a solution...

Pannacoota - god I love that set up. Even if it only looked like that after a twice-yearly clearout, that has gotta be the benchmark!

Pannacotta, even