Best plastic storage boxes 2022: Foldable and stackable containers

Jul 04, 2023

Home organisation is easy when you’ve got the right storage

lastic has been public enemy number one for some time now.

Its problem is that it’s too well made: it refuses to break down and instead spends centuries littering the earth and clogging up the oceans. It’s easy to produce and manipulate but impossible to get rid of. But is it the bad guy? Not always.

Single use plastic is seen as the worst culprit, but there are useful versions, from medical equipment and engineering parts, to household essentials like storage boxes.

Great for keeping grains and cereal in your kitchen cupboards, leftovers in the fridge and out-of-season clothing at the back of your wardrobes plus a million other uses, a good set of reusable plastic storage containers can be a wise and worthy investment.

Buy the right ones and they’ll last you a lifetime. We’ve found the most robust options in a range of sizes and for all budgets to help make them easier to shop.

See the best below

Homeware hounds know these collapsible crates have been in every millennial-friendly interiors from Wandsworth to West Ham. With an appealing retro feel, they’re the sort of storage you won’t mind keeping in plain sight. This bundle of four comes in sweet pastel shades, offering an easy way to add a splash of colour as well as sort your knick knacks.

It’s all in the name here. These roomy containers with a clip top lid are perfect for packing away things you need occasionally - think Christmas decorations, festival fancy dress, art supplies or extra bedding such as duvets and pillows. This price is for a set of three and the see-through element means you can see what’s in each at a glance.

Proving storage doesn’t have to be boring is this bundle of colourful open-lidded plastic boxes. They’ll be useful in any room of the house, keeping small items neatly together. Use in the bathroom to sort toiletries, or keep inside wardrobe drawers to organise socks and smalls. Tidy house, tidy mind.

This smart stand features two small podiums that allow you to grab and go without needing to unstack the top containers. You can store it in the cupboard but we think this attractive set is worthy of its own countertop space. If you have been searching for a housewarming gift, this is a thoughtful idea.

If your frame allows it, storing things under your bed is a great use of an otherwise unused space. Wilko's box is designed to slip under beds at 18.8cm high but with a 32L capacity. That said there’s no reason you can’t use it inside ottoman storage beds too and organise the space. The clear box comes with an opaque black plastic lid and is stackable, so you can pair with other designs in the modular range.

Whether you want to increase your home recycling efforts or need something larger than a bowl to store fruit and veg, these three stackable boxes offer a handy solution. They’re open fronted so you can easily rummage for what you need without upending the whole tower. Each holds 35L.

If you’re looking for easy clean boxes to store kids toys, cleaning supplies or makeup products, head to B&Q where you can find this grey design with integrated handles. They slot easily into a certain Swedish brand’s shelving units, hiding away clutter while keeping everything you need within easy reach.

If you’ve got a hobby that requires a lot of fiddly little components - say LEGO building, jewellery making fishing, or knitting - finding a way to keep it all organised can be a nightmare. This stackable set of boxes are here to help, lightweight and compartmentalised to keep all your bits and bobs safe. Overall size: 36.5 x 26.5 x 19.4cm.

Keep soft drinks and 300ml drinks cool with this fridge organiser, which keeps up to nine cans out of the way of your other food items.

This stacking system made up of plastic storage boxes has multiple uses around the home, helping you keep your wardrobe in order or organise snacks and ingredients in your kitchen cupboards.

Keep your baking ingredients, snacks, spices and grains organised with these containers which feature an airtight lid-lock mechanism. You can get them in small, medium and large sets, all in the same size of your choice. Choose the small set and you’ll get six tubs, all holding a litre each and measuring 4.96 x 3.54 x 6.3inches.

The included labels and chalk make labelling each container and doodle and easy to change if you decide to store something else in the containers.

They stack easily too, saving cupboard space and making them look neater to boot.