Forcing too many linens onto a shelf makes an unattractive stack and decreases utility.
Linen closets are an excellent place to store sheets, towels and other bedding, but often end up cluttered with extra bed and bath supplies and worn-out material. If your linen closet gets too full, it can be difficult to find the supplies you need. Fortunately, it's not difficult to organize a linen closet. Spending just a little time thinking about which linens see use and which ones are just taking up space can do a lot to make your home linen closet easier to use. Does this Spark an idea?
Catalog
Many people don't know exactly what they're keeping in their linen closet. Going through the contents can offer some real surprises. Take the time to remove everything from the closet and sort your linens by type and condition. A surprising number of homeowners keep linens for beds they no longer own, or family members who no longer live at home. Identifying and getting rid of these items can help make space for linens that see more use.
Setup
The way a linen closet is set up can affect how easy it is to use. According to Style At Home, adjustable wire shelves work well to provide flexible space and good ventilation. Martha Stewart suggests a shelf height of 10 inches for sheets, 12 to 16 inches for towels, and up to 18 inches for pillows, heavy blankets and comforters. Lining each shelf with acid free tissue paper can help prevent fabrics from discoloring over time.
Prioritize
Not everything related to bed and bath needs to be stored in the linen closet. HGTV suggests storing larger items, such as pillows, closer to the bedroom to make more space. Determine which linens see the most use, and place them in the closet first. Less-used linens that won't fit in the closet may be stored in bins or boxes elsewhere in the home. Just make sure to place a cedar block or other insect deterrent inside, and place the container in a dry, ventilated place.
Sort
Storing linens by type, and then by room, makes it much easier to find the sheet, towel or pillowcase you need. There's no need to go through an entire pile of sheets, and risk needing to refold each one. Another option for sorting is to give each family member a shelf in the linen closet. That shelf stores each person's towels, sheets and other linens, so it's easy to find an item when it's needed. Label each shelf to make identification simpler.
Tags: linen closet, each shelf, linen closet, linens that, linens type
