How to Organize Your Linen Closet, According to Experts
Make the most of every inch with these clever ideas.
The linen closet may be one of the smallest storage spaces in your home, but you can fit a surprising amount of sheets, towels, and toiletries in there. We’ve gathered our favorite linen closet organization ideas to help you make the most of your space.
Shelves can easily become overcrowded with spare sets of sheets, pillows, older towels, extra blankets, and other items. Before long, finding the set of sheets you need can feel like a game of Jenga, where one wrong move can send piles tumbling. That’s why the first thing you should do is declutter the linen closet. Pros say you should toss items like mismatched sheet sets and cleaning rags you don’t really use. Once you’ve cleared out some space, you’ll be able to figure out the best storage solutions for your linen closet. These ideas can help you create a space that’s neat, functional, and easy to maintain.
From clever ways to fold sheets to simple solutions for maximizing vertical space, there are plenty of ways to make your linen closet work harder for you. Ahead, check out the best linen closet organization ideas to get your space looking tidy. For more small-space organizing ideas, check out our bathroom storage ideas and the best budget-friendly closet organization ideas.
Store Rarely Used Items Out of Sight
Store your everyday towels and sheets on the center shelf. Everything else — mismatched pillowcases, bleach-stained towels and your daughter's hot pink shams — can be tucked in baskets on higher or lower shelves. Our cleaning pros love structured storage bins because they can sit squarely on the floor, hold their shape and have lids to help keep everything neatly tucked out of sight.
Add Vertical Dividers
Our cleaning pros love acrylic stackable drawers and bins because they keep everything contained, but still allow you to spot what you need. There’s a downside, though: The cost of these kinds of storage containers admittedly adds up quickly. For a more affordable option, install adjustable shelf dividers to keep your sheets, towels and other linens separate. Just take note: Our cleaning pros suggest opting for clear acrylic dividers instead of the wire versions, since they allow items to slip through the cracks.
Keep Products Handy
If you're short on storage space, it's likely that your linen closet is also home to cleaning products and extra toiletries. Lean on this creative bathroom storage solution: Divide everything into Lazy Susans or plastic bins for easy access. Remember to categorize, too — cleaning products all go together in one grab-and-go bin, shower accessories in another and so on.
Maximize Shelf Space
Typically used in kitchens and pantries, try repurposing an under-shelf organizer in your linen closet to hold rolled-up towels and linens.
Roll Washcloths
Washcloths and hand towels can sometimes feel awkward to fold and store since they're smaller than regular-size towels. Instead, roll and store them in bins.
Fold Fitted Sheets the Right Way
But don't just stuff crumpled-up sheets into a clean pillowcase and hope for the best. Instead, learn how to fold a fitted sheet like a pro — you'll save time and space!
Use Empty Door Space
Hang an over-the-door towel hanger on the inside of your closet door to make it easy for everyone to find their towel next time they shower. Alternatively, you could install over-the-door racks and use the space to group excess shampoo, conditioner and other toiletries.
Hang Your Ironing Supplies
If you don't have extra towels to hang but you do need space for your ironing board, iron and handheld steamer, hang an organizer on the door (or right inside the closet, if you have a nice, big walk-in). This way, the next time you're running 10 minutes late and need to press your dress, you can find everything you need to get rid of those pesky wrinkles.
Make It Consistent
No matter what organizers you choose to stock, settle on a color theme to give the closet a more cohesive, less cluttered look. For peak organization, give each type of linen — sheets, bath towels and spare bedding — a specific color so that you can find what you're looking for quickly.
Label Everything
Once everything is broken out into sections and exactly where it should be, it’s important to make time for one more very important step: labeling it all accordingly. Just don’t get ahead of yourself. Hold off on sticking bookplates and labels directly on shelves until you've figured out what system works best for you — then stick away! For this task, a label maker is your best friend.
Remove Moisture
Finally, go the extra mile to make sure all your hard work doesn’t go to waste thanks to a musty closet. Your closet won't truly feel clean until it smells clean, and a compact disposable dehumidifier made with drying crystals can help get the job done without taking up too much precious space.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
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