Tupperware's Old-Fashioned Stacking Bowls Make Charming Thrifted Kitchen Decor

If you keep a list of dream thrift store finds, get ready to add another treasure to it: the Tupperware Wonderlier stacking bowl set. With a wide range of fun colors, these bowls scream playful mid-century chic. For anyone looking to design their dream retro kitchen, this set is an eye-catching must-have.

Earl Tupper launched his eponymous brand in the 1940s after inventing the then-revolutionary airtight seal for food containers. The lidded Wonderlier bowl was one of the company's first products, and by 1946, Tupper created Wonderlier stacking bowls that nested into each other when not in use, making storage a snap even in compact kitchens — it seems the quest to create more kitchen space has been going on for decades. Today, the stackable nature of vintage Wonderlier bowls gives you some decorating versatility: Stack them, tower them with their lids on, or line them up in a row.

Remember, you want to avoid actually using vintage plastic food containers like these, because they likely contain BPA, which can leach into your food and cause serious health issues over time. If you want food storage with a similar look, you can still buy contemporary Wonderlier bowls today for $24, as Tupperware continues to produce them. But decor-wise, sets from the 1940s, '50s, '60s, and '70s are one of the best vintage additions to your retro kitchen. Prices vary depending on age and condition.

Tupperware is one of the ultimate kitchen brand finds at the thrift store. You can also scope out flea markets, estate and garage sales, antique malls, and resale sites like eBay and Etsy for Wonderlier stacking bowls. If you were to find a super early set, say, from the late 1940s or '50s, in mint condition with no missing pieces, scratches, chips, etc., it can be worth around $175. A more average price you'll come across is about $40, which tends to be for good-condition sets from the '70s.

As a bonus, the bowls came in so many colors that you can likely find a set that matches your kitchen, whatever its design motif is. Think pastels, shades of pale greens, and a sunset-like set ranging from yellow to orange to red. In addition to pretty colors, these bowls also carry a lot of nostalgia for many people. 

"Oh, wow, this is just brought so many memories back," says one commenter on @alexabchambers' Instagram post showing her grandmother's Wonderlier set. Another exclaims they had a set growing up, and another commenter says that her mom still has one. The nostalgia is so strong that Instagrammer @extremely.retro sells enamel pins showing an ombré pastel stack of Wonderlier bowls. If you're lucky enough to find these, you'll want to both use and proudly display them.