Linen Closet Reorganization: How To, Tips, & Tricks

As part of our 35 Days to an Organized Home Challenge, I knew the closets would be my next step. However, I was a little intimidated because I wasn’t sure how/where to start, so I started by using the 3 Steps to Organizing by sorting items into those three categories: Keep, Give, Trash from our organizing video below!

Once I had gone through each closet and decided what to keep, I needed to assess my storage solutions. I’ll be honest, in some closets, I didn’t care if they looked beautiful, I just needed them to function as part of my overall organizing systems. However, there were some that I just really felt like having them look beautifully organized would help my peace of mind! I really needed my bedroom linen closet outside of our bathroom to function and look beautiful. It’s the first closet I use to start my day, and I really felt that it would help add to my mental clarity if it was organized and streamlined.   As I worked on this reorganization project, I learned several tips that I want to pass onto you!
#1. Measure, measure, measure, and remeasure. Then, write it down. This would include length, width, height, and depth. You will be taking four measurements for each space. I actually made it to the store at one point and realized I never measured the depth of the shelves!  You will need to know the depth so your storage bins/units aren’t sticking out past the depth of the shelf. Also, when you are measuring width, factor in door jams/hinges, and other protrusions that might stick out that could reduce your space. This will shorten your measurements, so make sure to include them! All four measurements are VERY important!  Also, DON’T FORGET YOUR MEASUREMENTS! While this didn’t happen to me during this reorganization, I could totally see this happening to me! Here is my before picture!!

While my closet wasn’t terribly disorganized before, it just didn’t have any aesthetic appeal! Check out these other tips!

#2. Take your tape measure with you to the store. This was extremely helpful to me to have in the store, and helped me know the measurements on items that where it wasn’t included on the tag!

#3. Bag your Bedding. Place all your bedding into a pillow case so you have the entire set together. This eliminates rifling through sheets to find matching components.

#4. Use Clear Containers. Using clear containers can help you see what is actually inside each container.  You can see that I used clear plastic shoe boxes for $1.00 to store lotions, nail care supplies, and more.

#5. Do You Really Need… Linen closets tend to accumulate excess towels, washcloths, and more.  Many times these items need to be sorted and purged, because they are either stained, unused, etc.  Also, many times people store toiletry items in linen closets. Ask yourself if you are ever going to use that cellulite cream? If not, donate or trash it!

#6. Don’t under-buy. This is tough when organizing, because I’ve had this happen both ways. I bought some organizational bins that were too small, and not big enough and looked ridiculous. However, sometimes you buy too many, but usually they can be put to use somewhere else! Also, if you need a closet system (Like the Closet Maid kind from Lowe’s or other “Home” stores, just buy it! You won’t regret it!

#7. Keep frequently used items easily accessible.  Make sure the items you use the most are close enough to the front that you don’t have to search. It is better to store items in the back that are not used as frequently.

#8. Store wool items in vacuum sealed bags. This will prevent moths!

#9. Keep Items Fresh. Sometimes towels and sheets can get a stale smell, so there are several things you can do to combat this.  Use a box of baking soda, just like in the fridge. You can also store fabric softener sheets in this closet, versus the laundry room, so that they keep the closet smelling fresh!

#10. Rotate. Because towels and linens can get stale, make sure you use them and then rotate with those that haven’t been used.