I'd point out that I have well over 100000 components in one very small box, all separated by their individual 5-cm square plastic sealable bags, each of which will easily accommodate 1000 SMT parts. The size of the box is 15 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm. The box cost nothing, as it arrived in the mail containing something I ordered, and 1000 envelopes cost about $2US, IIRC. It's much easier to accommodate the parts without their tape and reel, though I often buy surplus parts by the reel, particularly since it seldom costs more than about $5 including shipping.

That may not be the way for everyone, but it certainly works for me, at least until I find something better. The only real problem is that a 6" cube is easy to mislay, thereby making ALL the components subject to an "easter-egg hunt."

RE