Realistic Linen Closet Organization
This post was underwritten by Samsill, but opinions about their products are completely mine!
When you are figuring out how to organize your home, your linen closet is one area you'll want to tackle right away. Linen closet organization projects usually take less than a day to complete, and the results are something you'll be able to enjoy for a long time.
You may also like:
How to Get Started
Before beginning, it's a good idea to gather some ideal linen closet ideas for inspiration, and then take a realistic look at the linen closet you already have.
When you open up your linen closet, what do you see? If you're like most people, you see a jumble of sheets, towels, toiletries, and maybe a random fan or humidifier.
Linen closets are often a catch-all for extra items, and we just don't pay that much attention to them. And, if you're dealing with a basic closet with wire shelves, it can be difficult to find linen closet storage that works for your space.
Our linen closet had gotten particularly bad. In fact, I found myself avoiding opening the linen closet because every time I did, things would fall out of it.
Although I “organized” it when we first moved into this house, I hadn't done much to maintain it. The fact that I'm terrible at folding fitted sheets didn't help the overall appearance of the closet either.
Linen Closet Organizer Necessities
I finally decided that I needed to do something about the closet because I wanted guests to be able to go into it and help themselves to sheets, towels, etc. I considered investing in some pretty baskets, but they are so expensive. I also wanted something more versatile.
We will probably be moving again soon, so I didn't want to invest a lot of money into baskets that might not work in our next home. I wanted to do something to make the linen closet space prettier, but didn't want to purchase anything that would be a permanent solution for that specific space.
Keeping the need for flexible storage in mind, I followed these steps for linen closet organization:
Linen Closet Organization Procedure
- Take a before photo. This mainly served as motivation. I didn't know how long this project would take, but if I got discouraged, I wanted to be able to look back at what the linen closet looked like before, so I could see some progress.
An empty linen closet. Full of possibilities! 🙂 - Take everything out of the closet. This took forever, and I was surprised to find many of the random things I've shoved into the closet over the past year. Who knew this little linen closet could hold so much stuff?
- Declutter. For me, this was a huge, multi-step undertaking. There was drama and indecision, but it eventually got done.
- Sheets. We had enough sheets to start our own bed and breakfast. I decided to only keep 2-3 sets of sheets for each bed in our house. Eventually I'd like to get down to just two sets per bed. The rest of the sheets were donated.
- Towels. We have quite the collection of “old towels.” They come in handy when our little ones are sick, so we didn't want to get rid of them. I chose the best of the best old towels, and moved them closer to our children's bedrooms. The rest were donated.
- HUGE beach towels. I saved one for each person in our family, and moved them to under-the-bed storage in our guest room. The rest of the gigantic towels were donated.
- Medicines. We had a lot of expired medications. I put those in a separate box, and hid them on a high up shelf. The next time there's a medication disposal event, I'm there!
- Containers. We had a lot of cardboard boxes we were using for storage. Most of them were recycled. Some of our other storage containers were moved to the garage or used in other parts of our house.
- Beautify. We rent our home, so painting or wallpapering isn't an option. However, I still wanted to do something to make the linen closet a little prettier. I ended up buying some pretty wrapping paper, and I hung it in the back of the linen closet using painter's tape. That way, it will be easy to remove when we move to a new house, and I won't have to worry about marking up the awesome beige paint inside the closet.
- Organize with containers. As I mentioned before, I wanted to use containers to consolidate and organize our linens. I also wanted something that would hide the fact that I cannot fold a fitted sheet to save my life. I used pretty white Pop ‘n Store Mega box containers to store like items. I particularly liked the Pop ‘n Store boxes because…
- I can keep sheets of the same size all in one container. No more folding and unfolding similar sheets to see what size they are. And, since the sheets are in a container, I don't have to spend a lot of time trying to fold them perfectly.
- They keep things from getting dusty. We don't change out our guest room sheets that often, and after a while, they get dusty. I put a scented sachet in each box to prevent any musty smells.
- They are versatile, sturdy, and easy to move. I can easily pull them out and move them from room to room. If we don't have a linen closet in our next home, I know I'll be able to use the Pop ‘n Store boxes in different locations in our home. Or, I could repurpose them all together. They're neutral, yet pretty, so they'd work in a lot of different situations.
- They are compact when folded down. If I don't need to use them for a while, or if I need to save space when we're moving, I can fold them down, and they won't take up a lot of space like plastic bins or baskets would.
- Label. Because all of my boxes are white, I labeled them to make it easy to find what I'm looking for. I used name tag stickers {similar to these}, and I thought they ended up looking really cute. If I need to change what's inside the box, I can easily remove the sticker and replace it with a new one.
- Arrange according to frequency of use. I tried to make the things we need most often easily accessible. Toiletries were stored up higher so they were out of reach for little hands.
Now our linen closet is organized and pretty! I actually like to open it up, and it's motivated me to do laundry more quickly so I can put towels away and see the organized space. Yes, this is strange behavior, and it's most likely a temporary condition…
I also love that I can recreate a similar system for organizing our linen closet when we move to our new home. The wrapping paper, linen closet storage bins, and name tag labels are all versatile and easy to use in any home.
Linen Closet Storage Bins
Organizing Toiletries
New to this community? Start here, friend!
Wonderful transformation. Getting organized makes things so much easier. I have an area in my house that I have no idea how to organize but you gave me inspiration! I really love the paper at the back of the closet. It would make me want to open the door just to admire how nice everything looks 🙂 Super job.
Thanks Sheila! 🙂
LOVE the paper you put in the closet…it looks fabulous
Thanks, Kim!
This is such a great idea. ( I found you on Hometalk.) And I promise myself I will do the same thing on some snowy days this winter. Yours looks fabulous. I haven’t been through that stuff since we moved in almost 16 years ago and I am sure I will find things I never knew were there. Great photo tutorial.
Thank you, Kim!
You have no idea how many times I’ve organized my same sized linen closet!! I also have linens ie table mats, runners, napkins , placemats, aprons. I moved my sheets to my room in a basket. Two sets we trade out. But it is a mess over and over and I believe it’s a lack of a container!! Slip and slide goes on in the darkness of that closet when no one is watching!!
I do a room or yard or closet challenge. This is it. I’m going to use tips you’ve given. Our shelves are built in so no varying heights but I already know some empty containers I have that can possibly be better utilized in here. Thank you for the inspiration!!
Oh. My pharmacist did say to dilute expired meds in a bit of water in their container. I even mix with sand and dirt. Seal. Mark out all labels. Put in trash for our trash is never left exposed but covered daily. Just in case you do have a climber that grows curious I’d rather all meds be gone ASAP from your home. We also did not just use a box but added a zippered box–nylon– which keeps moisture out and is more difficult for small children–and still up high on the top shelf. We try not to get meds in the kids presence.
Your closet looks great. Job superb.
Thanks for the awesome tips, Gwen! And good luck with your linen closet organizing. Let me know how it goes! 🙂
Wow! What a difference! Please don’t look in my linen closet because it is a shambles too. I was thinking a lock on the door would do it for the holidays . . . 🙂 Thank you for this organizing tip and for sharing it with us at Snickerdoole Sunday. Have a great week!
Pinning to share!
~Laurie
Thank you, Laurie!
These are some great ideas for organizing a linen closet! I love the labels. Using these organization tools are a great way to keep your organizing versatile and giving you the ability to change it up when you need it!
Thanks, Stacey!
This is a great idea. My linen closet is always stuffed. And to get rid of some of the linens, I’ve started making things with the old sheets that are not used anymore. I love the idea of the boxes. Makes things so easy to find.
Thanks, Mary!
My linen closet is a little bit smaller and is always a disaster. I love that you papered it and organizing in boxes! Thanks for the inspiration!
Jill
Doused In Pink
Thanks, Jill!
Wow…what a transformation! Mine isn’t quite like your before picture but it definitely needs some work! You’ve inspired me! Thanks so much for linking up with us at Share The Wealth Sunday.
xoxo
Lisa
Thank you, Lisa!
Unfortunately, my closet definitely looks your first picture. I have struggled consistently with this area of my home. So, I am really hoping that I will use some of these wonderful tips to organize that mess!
Hi Crystal! I’m hoping our closet will stay organized. I’m the only one that goes into the closet for the most part, so it’s going to be up to me to maintain it. Let me know if you have any tips while organizing your own closet!
Katie, please, pretty please, will you come to my house and help me!! Blogging has destroyed any organized space I had…I LOVE what you are doing and you should be so proud of yourself girl. Keep it up and I’ll keep envying – in a good way of course, lol. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
Thank you for your sweet comment, Carrie! 🙂
Awesome job! Love that those boxes can collapse to be easily stored when not in use.
Thanks, Emmy!
Great work! It looks amazing. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Linda @Crafts a la mode
Thank you, Linda!
Wow! Love it. I just started purging my linen closet and when I saw your photos I swear it looks identical. I love how you added the pretty paper. Containers to hide the the fitted sheets. Of course! I don’t know how to fold them either. I’m hoping to tackle more of mine this weekend.
Thanks, Bonnie! I hope the project went well. 🙂
What a beautiful linen closet you’ve created. It’s organized beautiful and pretty wrapping paper beautiful. Thanks for sharing at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link Party on Organized 31
Thank you, Susan!
I so need to do this. In fact, my entire house is in major need of reorganization. One step at a time though…I think it is easier to start with a little project and then move on feeling good about yourself and what you have accomplished. I just need to START!
That’s so true, Michelle! Success brings more success. If you can set yourself up for small wins in the beginning, it can really help keep you motivated.
Hi! Thank you for the great information. Where did you donate your sheets and towels? I have asked local animal shelter and they have declined the need. Any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Wow Katie, You did wonders to your linen closet. It is quire near and pretty!
Oops! I meant to say “quite neat” and pretty.
Hi Rose!! Thank you. 🙂