You know that spot in your house that collects all the mismatched sheets, towels and other linens you’ve accumulated over the years but can never seem to organize? That overflowing linen closet is probably driving you nuts every time you open the door.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with 10 tips to tame that mess once and for all. Get ready to roll up your sleeves, crank up some music and prepare to meet your new, organized linen closet you’ll actually use — and enjoy.
Assess the Current State of Your Linen Closet
To get your linen closet under control, you need to start by assessing what’s currently in there. Open the doors and take a good look around. What do you see?
Piles of mismatched sheets and towels strewn about? Bins overflowing with blankets, pillows and other linens? Stuff crammed onto the shelves with no rhyme or reason?
Don’t feel overwhelmed. Take a deep breath and tackle this space one step at a time.
Start by measuring your closet and buy matching storage bins, baskets or drawer inserts. Label each container for different types of linens. This makes it easy to spot what you need at a glance and keep everything organized going forward.
Sort Through and Get Rid of the Excess
It’s time to declutter that messy linen closet of yours.
Go shelf by shelf and pull everything out, sorting items into three piles: keep, donate and throw away. Be ruthless — if you haven’t used something in the past year, chances are you won’t miss it. Donate unwanted towels, sheets and blankets to an animal shelter or homeless shelter. Toss anything stained, torn or damaged or — better yet — look for textile recycling in your area
Once everything is sorted, put what you’re keeping back on the shelves in an organized fashion. Group similar items together and use matching bins or baskets on the shelves to keep everything tidy. Label each bin so you have a spot for everything.
Maximizing Your Space
Double up on your hanging space by using multi-tiered hangers for linens and collapsible storage cubes on the floor of your closet. Install a second rod at a higher level for extra hanging space. Use the back of the closet door for over-the-door storage racks.
With a well-organized and decluttered linen closet, you’ll be able to find what you need quickly and easily. Take an inventory so you know when it’s time to restock essentials like towels, sheets and pillowcases. Maintaining the organization will make the dreaded chore of changing and washing linens that much more pleasant.
Helpful Storage Solutions for Better Organization
Storage solutions will make organizing your linen closet a breeze. Consider these space-saving options:
Organize with Bins
Bins are ideal for corralling smaller items like washcloths, hand towels, and cleaning supplies. Label each bin by category so everything has a designated spot. Look for stackable bins that won’t take up too much vertical space. Under-the-bed style bins also work well on the floor of the closet.
Add Shelving
Add extra shelving to give you more storage space. Install corner shelving to use wasted space or double hanging rods to hang more items. Look for shelving specifically designed for closets that you can adjust to different heights. Make sure to measure your closet space first so you choose shelving that will fit properly.
Use Hangers
Invest in sturdy hangers that won’t cause creases in your linens and clothes. Cascading skirt and pants hangers, as well as tiered hangers, maximize hanging space. Group similar hangers together – all skirt hangers in one area and shirt hangers in another. This makes it easy to find what you need.
Enlist Labels
Label boxes, bins and shelves to create zones for different types of linens. This eliminates searching through piles to find what you need. You might label areas for sheets, towels, blankets and pillows. Use a label maker or simply write on masking tape with a permanent marker.
Get Vertical
Use the back of the door, walls and the sides of the closet for added storage. Install racks, mesh pockets or wall shelves to store rolled up towels, cleaning supplies and other necessities. This frees up floor space in the closet for larger items.
Following these tips will transform your linen closet from chaotic to organized. Spend a little time decluttering and implementing a logical storage system. Your freshly organized closet will make putting away and finding linens a stress-free task.
Everything in its place. You can walk by your linen closet with a smile, knowing that at least one part of your home is clutter-free and under control. Chaos conquered, serenity found — all within a few hours of focused work.
Want some more tips and tricks for organizing and settling into your home? Check out our blog — it’s full of ideas to help your house feel like a home.
