Drop Zone

When items don’t have a clearly defined home, it’s nearly impossible to maintain order. You’ll use a blanket, wash the guest sheets, get brand new towels – and if things don’t have a predetermined space, you might resort to jamming them wherever you see an open inch of space.

Never fear – we can help you organize your linen closet so that it’s the beautiful, accessible, useful space you need right now!

Make the Space

Step 1: Pull everything out. Seriously, everything. Get down to the bare shelves. We recommend laying things out on a table or bed – try to keep things relatively spread out so you can see what you have.

Now, you may have gotten used to throwing things in this closet without order…but you know what you really need in your linen closet. We’re talking sheets, towels, blankets, ironing board, etc. In order to organize your linen closet in a way that will accommodate those items, we need to clear out the things that don’t belong.

What are those things? The answer is in the name! See what you can do to keep linens in there while finding new homes for everything else. That means suitcases, workout equipment, and extra appliances.

Now, we understand that everyone’s layout is different, and you may need to store an extra item or two in with your linens. But if you do so, make sure it’s done with purpose and intention. Create a designated space for that item.

Or perhaps this is actually an indicator that you’ve got to organize another closet to make more space. That decision will take a little planning, but give it time and thought, and you won’t regret it!

While you’re going through the whole closet, make sure you get rid of anything (including linens) that you no longer want or need. Do you really need 27 throw blankets? Assess carefully, and make the most practical decisions possible.

Play the Matching Game

By now we’re sure you know one of our favorite tricks – “like with like!” When it is time to organize your linen closet, this becomes a little more complex… but it will be worth it!

Take the time to match sheets and pillowcases into sets, and then sort them by size (i.e. all twins together, all queens together, etc.) and/or by location (i.e. all master bedroom sheets together).

Fold to Fit & Fit the Fold

This step might take some finagling, but it’s fun! Fold your linens in a way that makes the best use of your space. Your shelves might be extra deep, or extra wide – so pick a fold that utilizes your setup.

Now is also a great time to adjust your shelves. Your biggest blankets and fluffiest towels might need taller shelves. Make it work for you! You might even want to hang something to make the best use of your closet setup and avoid fold creases. Check out our tablecloth storage solution!

When arranging what goes where, keep items closest to where they will be used. A usual, use the up front real estate for items that are used most frequently. So that extra blanket only used when your third-cousin-twice-removed visits should be stored on that hard-to-reach shelf!

If you wash your linens separately, you might want to add a hamper to your linen closet. That way, everything is one place. We like the Montauk Rectangular Hamper to complete our matching look in this setup.

Pro tip: Run out of shelf space? Try storing your fluffy comforters in an extra hamper. Like we did here.

Basket Bonanza!

Select baskets and containers to hold items. Baskets define the space, so it’s harder to shove things where they don’t belong. They’ll hold you accountable!

The Container Store has a bunch of great options for baskets, so we had some fun. The Open Canvas Storage Bins are a wonderful option for linen closets – and they come with label inserts! Don’t forget to label, label, label!

By using both the right fold and the right basket, it becomes wonderfully easy to grab an item, use it, and replace it without hassle!

Creating the Look

We mixed and matched baskets and labels to show you different styles… and this is where we really had some fun! Which ones do you like the best?

You might recognize the Grey Montauk Woven Rectangular Storage Bins and White Montauk Woven Rectangular Storage Bins from our last blog post about organizing your pantry. They are delightfully versatile and cute.

And check out the difference between using Black Bin Clip Labels and White Bin Clip Labels. Both versions look amazing, and they appeal to different tastes!

But wait – there’s more! Instead of using one type of bin across the board when you organize your linen closet, you can mix and match. Below, you can see how we switched it up by pairing the Montauk bins with the cute striped Grey and White Oslo Bins and then the elegant Woven Kiva Storage Bins. So many fantastic options!

Totally Transformed!

This closet was completely transformed in just two hours. You too can organize your linen closet into a beautiful, functioning space! We’ve all got lots of time at home this month… all you need now is a little bit of focus and some great bins, and you’re well on your way!

Need help with accountability? Join our Organized by Ellis Facebook Group or follow us on Insta! We’re here to support you so you can achieve the organized life you desire.