Storage Boxes - Plastic Wood or Tin Box?

Keep everything boxed

There are numerous types of storage boxes available to store anything from money to winter firewood. Storage boxes can be made from many materials such as wood, metal, plastic and cardboard, all of which are standard materials. Bio degradable materials are used by progressive manufacturers to make a storage box and can then be marketed as being safe for the environment.

Boxes are best storage mediums

Of all the storage packaging available I prefer boxes the best because they can be any size you wish. As small as a match box or pin box to as large as a ship storage container I can manage to fill them all. I love tin boxes especially (which can last a long time) and are suitable for collections of coins, postage stamps or other bric-a-brac.

Decorative tin boxes for storage

A tin box, which may have started out as a cigar box, might now be a holder for small charms or colored stones. Some of the old tin boxes (the larger cookie and biscuit tins) have lovely pictures on them of Christmas scenes or idyllic holiday locations (with little in the way of advertising or the product that the tin contained). These tins are attractive and can be used for storing bulbs, lights, Christmas tree baubles and glass balls. Tin is often the metal used for tea storage boxes to keep the tea fresh and dry.

Storage boxes not made of plastic

Wooden storage boxes

When I think of wood storage I always think of a wooden spice rack even though the rack is not really a box. Perhaps it’s the combination of all those small glass storage jars all lined up on their perch just waiting to be used.

A wooden box I found to be useful for segregating screws, tacks, nails and bolts in my workshop was one with individual storage compartments built into it, just like a honeycomb. It had a lid that could slide out vie slots in the box.

Storage boxes for food

The most common plastic storage boxes are from companies like Tupperware, which is a brand recognized worldwide. Safety is important where food packaging and storage is concerned and plastic manufacturers will usually have disclaimers (or statements) on their websites regarding the polycarbonate issues that seems to plague the plastic packaging industry. Plastic boxes retail for less than $1.50. Whenever I use plastic storage boxes I use only the tried and trusted brands (which are more expensive) but, in general, I tend to avoid plastic altogether in favor of natural materials. For further information on this subject (and to form your own opinion) you may wish to read the FDA’s reports regarding Bisphenol-A and the use of polycarbonate. I have included the link below.

Card, paper and soft storage boxes

Box types

If you are a lover of the written word you will know to expect paper and pens as presents for your birthday or at Christmas time. Pen sets come with attractively designed storage boxes and it is almost a shame to remove the pens for use as the presentation boxes are so pretty and silky.

Shoe box storage

Old shoe boxes make great storage containers and children can decorate them to their individual tastes using color paints, glues, feathers and glitter. Cardboard boxes with lids, suitable for paper storage, can be bought (flat packed) for $2 and $3 at some online stores.

Firewood storage boxes

Winter fuel (logs) is usually stored outdoors (but nearby) in a wooden box, with a lid, to keep the wood dry and ready for the chilly days of winter. Better still is to have a wood shed for fuel but in the absence of a shed the wood can be stored in a neat freestanding pile so arranged as to allow rain to fall away from the wood. An old wooden crate, if you can get one, can be put to good use to store your firewood. Also possible is to get a plastic wood storage box but heavy logs chucked into it will likely crack the plastic wall, so they are best avoided for serious storage. Loose leaf tea was once delivered all around the world in wooden crates and old tea crates are often reused for other storage ideas.

Other storage materials and money boxes

A wall safe keeping your money safe will be made of extremely toughened steel or gunmetal. Metal filing cabinets are strong and can store anything from paper files to armatures for motors. Wicker is used in laundry baskets or medium sized storage trunks. Miniature ceramic boxes (not much bigger than a match box) can be used to store small jewelry items.

Bedroom storage

Beneath the bed

Under bed storage boxes are long lidded boxes (but not tall) with wheels to allow them to slide neatly under a standard bed. They are usually made from plastic and they gather a great deal of dust but the tight lid ensures that the contents remain clean. They are an effective way to utilize space that otherwise is lost. Whatever your storage need you will find a receptacle to contain and protect your belongings. It seems that storage boxes are with us for the long haul, in every sense of the word.