Tupperware storage containers

How to find the right canisters for your kitchen

Are you looking for storage canisters that both keep food fresh and create calm in your cupboards? Then you have come to the right place. Here at élé living, you will find two types of canisters, each serving a different purpose: square canisters with light wood lids and classic clear canisters for dry goods.

The square ones come in four sizes from Storage canister with wood lid 0.84 L up to Storage canister with wood lid 4.4 L, and the clear canisters range from a small 0.35-liter to 3.5 liters. The sizes can be stacked and placed side-by-side, giving you a uniform look instead of a mix of bags, old jars, and half-empty packaging. If you would rather get everything at once, there is also a Storage canister bundle and a larger pack that provides you with a complete set to build your system around.

Practicality is only half the story. When your dry goods and leftovers live in matching canisters with dedicated spots, you can see at a glance what you have and what is running low. You avoid standing in the supermarket wondering whether you have more flour or pasta at home. It is that kind of overview that makes everyday life a little bit easier.

Canisters for flour, rice, and pasta, or for leftovers

The first choice you have to make is what the canister will be used for. The two tasks have different requirements.

For dry goods like flour, rice, pasta, grains, sugar, and coffee, the clear canisters are ideal. You can see the contents through the plastic, and they seal tightly, keeping flour beetles and moisture out while ensuring the contents stay fresh longer. They are available in a whole range of sizes: the small Storage canister for dry goods 0.35 L fits what you use sparingly, while the large Storage canister for dry goods 3.5 L accommodates a whole bag of flour or rice. If you only want to look at those specifically created for this purpose, we have gathered them in the collection storage canisters for dry goods, and if you have a lot of flour in stock, there is also a page dedicated to storage canisters for flour.

For leftovers, meal prep, and items for the fridge, take a look at food storage canisters. Here, it is less about a tidy cupboard and more about saving leftovers so they don't end up in the trash.

If you are in doubt, consider where the canister will be placed. If it is going on a shelf or in an open cupboard where it will be visible, the square canisters with wood lids win on aesthetics. If it is going into a closed cupboard with the rest of your dry goods, you can safely go for the clear ones.

Why consistent sizes keep the cupboard tidy

One of the biggest advantages of grouping your canisters in the same series is that they work together. The square canisters with wood lids are square for a reason: they can sit edge-to-edge with no wasted space between them, whereas round containers always leave an empty corner. And because they come in four increments from 0.84 to 4.4 liters, you can match the size to how much you actually use of each item.

A small tip when choosing: don't just measure according to the bag's content, but according to how tall your shelf is. A 4.4-liter canister is tall, and it’s disappointing to have the perfect size that can’t stand upright on the shelf. Perhaps start with the items you use the most and build the system out from there. You don't have to fill the whole cupboard at once.

Wood lids or clear plastic

The difference between the two types of lids is both a matter of function and style.

The canisters with wood lids provide a calm, natural look that suits a kitchen with wood and light tones. Natural materials like wood are a recurring theme for us because they create calm in a room, unlike the shiny plastic surface often seen elsewhere. The wood lid is the solution you choose when the canister needs to be on display as part of your interior design.

The clear canisters are the true workhorses. The lid seals tightly, you can see the contents, and they are easy to take in and out of the cupboard again and again. They are made to be used, not to be seen. If you have a closed cupboard where the most important thing is that the flour stays fresh and you can quickly see what you have, this is what you should look for.

How to get your dry goods under control in three steps

If you are getting started with organizing your dry goods, it doesn't have to take all afternoon. Try doing it one cupboard at a time.

Step 1: Empty the cupboard completely. Take everything out and discard what is too old or long forgotten. You will likely be surprised at how many half-empty bags are hiding in there.

Step 2: Clean while the cupboard is empty anyway. A damp cloth on the shelf allows you to start fresh.

Step 3: Fill your canisters and give them a permanent spot. Pour your flour, rice, and pasta into the canisters, put the most frequently used ones in front, and place them so you can easily see the contents. If you would also like to be able to read what is in each canister from a distance, you can add labels.

Once the system is in place, it practically maintains itself. You just refill when you get home from grocery shopping, and the old problems of clutter and lack of overview will slowly disappear.

We are ready to help

If you are in doubt about which sizes fit your specific kitchen, or how best to get started, do not hesitate to reach out. We are happy to help put together a set that suits your cupboards and your habits.

If you want to keep browsing, you can also find inspiration in our storage jars if you would rather have your dry goods in glass instead of plastic, or in our boxes for items that aren't meant for canisters. The goal is the same regardless: an overview, more peace of mind in everyday life, and a kitchen where things have a permanent place.