Your linen cupboard. It may not seem like it matters but trust me, an organised linen cupboard can spark soooooo much joy! A clutter-free and well-arranged space reduces stress and anxiety, providing a sense of order and accomplishment.
This organised linen cupboard environment fosters a positive mood, enhances focus, and contributes to increased productivity. Physically, it creates a safer living space, reducing the risk of accidents, while also improving air quality and promoting healthier respiratory habits.
Easier access to necessities, such as bedding and towels, encourages a comfortable and well-prepared living environment, ultimately contributing to improved sleep quality.
Have I convinced you to organise your linen closet yet? I hope so because it’s actually really easy to do and takes way less time than you may think. Find a spare hour or two, crank up the tunes and get ready to transform your linen closet into something Insta-worthy.
How to Organise Your Linen Cupboard: 10 Steps to Organisational Bliss
1. Empty your linen closet:
Start by taking everything out of the closet. This allows you to start with a clean slate and assess what you have. Take deep breaths – this is the most stressful part but you’ve got this!!
2. Sort and declutter:
Group similar items together. For example, group bed linens, towels, blankets, and so on.
Take this opportunity to get rid of items you no longer need or use. Donate or discard old, worn-out linens. Be ruthless if you want to clear space.
If you can, reuse and recycle. For example, old bed sheets can be used as rags, cut up to make quilts, stamped or painted on with fabric paint or markers and used to wrap gifts or sewn into gift bags, turned into tote bags for grocery shopping, or a multitude of other things. Old towels can be relegated to a car cleaning bucket or used for new pets.
3. Assess and plan:
Consider the size and layout of your closet. Take note of any shelves, drawers, or hanging space. Keep frequently used items at eye level or within easy reach. Store seasonal or infrequently used items in less accessible areas.
4. Use storage containers:
Use baskets or bins to group smaller items like hand towels, washcloths, or toiletries. This keeps things contained and makes them easy to grab.
If possible, use clear containers for better visibility. Label containers for quick identification. Many online and local stores have linen baskets and boxes, some with clear windows if you’re trying to reduce the amount of plastic in your home. Old sheets can also make a great DIY basket if torn into trips and plaited/sewn into shape.
5. Fold and stack:
Fold sheets, pillowcases, and towels neatly. There are various folding methods so choose one that works best for you to maintain a uniform look. Sheet sets can be folded and stored inside their matching pillow case which makes finding a fresh set so simple.
Stack items vertically rather than horizontally to maximise space and make it easier to see what you have.
6. Categorise and arrange:
Group bed linens together, including sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers. You might organise these by bed size. Or by season if you use thicker sheets in colder months or organise by colour.
Arrange towels by size or use. For example, keep bath towels separate from hand towels. You could further categorise into people who live in the house and guests.
If you’re really ambitious, you could do a Monica Geller-Bing from Friends and have 11 categories, 8 of which were shown in the final episodes–Everyday Use, Fancy, Guest, Fancy Guest, Old, Beach, Bath, and Kitchen. Only the show’s producers know the other three.
If you have seasonal items, store them in a way that makes it easy to swap them out as needed.
7. Take advantage of door space:
This will depend on how much space you have between your shelves and your door. If you have a solid door, consider using over-the-door organisers for additional storage.
Install hooks on the inside of the door for items like bathrobes or extra towels.
8. Maintain your organised linen cupboard regularly:
Periodically assess your linen closet to ensure it stays organised. Donate, recycle or discard items as needed.
9. Labels are your best friend:
Label shelves or containers to make it clear where each category of item belongs. If you have certain sheet sets for specific people you can group and label accordingly. For example, my youngest would only sleep with certain sheet sets for a while so they were always stored together.
10. Get creative with the spaces you have:
If space allows, consider storing extra linens in under-bed storage containers. You can buy long under-bed storage containers, or cube boxes if there’s enough room.
Use cloth bins for a cohesive look and to protect linens from dust. If you’re going for a cohesive look, you can experiment with colours and metals (for wire baskets) to create something you vibe with.
What to tackle next?
Once you’ve done the linen closet, where’s your next part of the house to tackle? We’ve got some great step-by-step guides to organise all elements of your home:
- How to Organise your Pantry
- How to Organise your Kids’ Toys
- How to Organise Your Wardrobe
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