If you own a house with a tiny linen closet, then you’ve probably experienced the frustration of keeping it neat and tidy. Or opening the closet door and experiencing the towel avalanche. The rumply fitted sheet that looked like it was folded white doing 10 rounds with Mike Tyson. Here’s a few easy yet effective tiny linen closet reorganization tips that helped us make our small closet work better for our family.
Note, this post is Part 2 of 2 of “Simple Guide to Decluttering and Organizing a Tiny Linen Closet”.
Backstory
I’m incredibly grateful for our hallway linen closet. Old houses are notorious for lack of closets. So I’m thrilled to have a linen closet.
BUT my linen closet is teeny-tiny, awkward and cramped. It’s only 17″ wide and 15″ deep. That’s less than a foot and half in each direction. It holds way too many linens and toiletries, and nothing is organized.
I’ve learned the key to a well-organized tiny linen closet is 1. to be intentional about what gets stored in the closet (i.e. declutter), and 2. logically streamline where it goes (i.e. organize).
The first part – decluttering (i.e. Part 1 ASDF), uses a simple 4-step process to whittle the chaos down to the just items that REALLY needed to be there.
This post is Part 2 of the process, which includes 5 tiny linen closet reorganization tips that ensures what goes back into the closet maximizes space (while staying tidy).
5 Effective Tiny Linen Closet Reorganization Tips
In the previous post, I decluttered my linen closet using this printable Decluttering & Organizing Checklist (linen inventory checklist).
Decluttering and Organizing Checklist with Linen Inventory. Don’t forget to download!
If you haven’t decluttered yet, go ahead and get that done (I’ll wait right here 😉)…..
Once you have accomplished eliminating all of the excess from the closet (like those 10 random mismatched pillow cases), it’s time to put it back in the right way with these tiny linen closet organization tips…
Tip 1: Assess Closet
Before you run out to buy baskets and storage bins (we will get to those next….), the first step is to take a long hard look at your empty linen closet. Make note of the closet size, shelving, etc. Assessing the characteristics of your closet will help you down the road choose the perfect storage solutions. The solutions that not only fit your small space, but also maximize its functionality. The goal here – work with what you got to ensure every inch of that closet is utilized efficiently.
Measure
Grab a measuring tape and measure the width, depth, and height of your shelves. Don’t forget to measure the distance between shelves and the space from the top shelf to the ceiling.
Write these measurements down and put them in your purse or on a phone app.
Assess Shelves
Are your existing shelves adjustable? If so, could they be rearranged to create more usable space?
Perhaps the current configuration isn’t maximizing your vertical space. Consider the option of adding additional shelves, shelf dividers or even a tension rod if your closet allows for it.
Or maybe the current shelving system is too limiting and just not inspiring. Or you have wire shelves that smaller items and toiletries keep falling through. That’s OK! Pull them out and find a more versatile, effective shelving system – there are SO many out there!
Door Bonus Space
Don’t underestimate the potential of your linen closet door as extra storage space. Adding a door rack with hanging organizers or over-the-door baskets can significantly increase your storage capacity. (much more effective than a rarely-used iron board hanging from it).
For some tiny linen closets, bonus storage on the back of the door can be a game-changer. Just be sure to distribute the weight evenly to avoid the door sagging or becoming unbalanced.
And also be sure you have enough clearance to add storage to the door and still close it. If not (which is the case with my linens closet, my condolences).
Tip 2: Space-Saving Folds
Ok, now that we have storage possibilities, it’s time to tackle the linens themselves.
Folding laundry is, well, mundane. BUT if you can figure out the best folding configuration for sets of sheets and towels, it can open up so much space in your closet.
Experiment and find the fold technique that works best for your linens and your linen closet’s layout. Especially that fitted sheet – that’s a tough one to fold!!!
Find the best space-saving fold and you’ll be amazed at how much more you can fit into your tiny linen closet, all while keeping things organized and easy to access.
Here’s a few space-saving folding technique tips I found around the web:
- Sheets – The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking
- Towels – Code Red Hat (for folding) & Buenos Burritos (for rolling)
And for comic relief, if you ever have a buddy to help you fold watch this hysterical IG video.
Tip #3: Right Tools – Bins and Baskets for Maximum Efficiency
Bins and baskets can be amazing tools to organize your tiny linen closet. IF you purchase the right ones. Here’s 3 ways to strategically utilize bins and baskets:
Size Matters
Remember when you measured your closet space? Here’s where those measurements come into play. Opt for bins and baskets that fit comfortably on your shelves, leaving a little breathing room for easy access, but not voids.
Consider using a variety of sizes to accommodate different types of linens. Shallow bins work well for washcloths and hand towels, while taller baskets are ideal for storing folded sheet sets.
Practicality
Fabric storage bins are gorgeous. They come in a variety of colors and styles to complement your décor. But not practical for reorganizing a tiny linen closet. And wire baskets are fancier, but they aren’t versatile and can’t hold smaller items like cotton balls and other small toiletries.
For ultimate space optimization, consider clear plastic bins. These allow you to see what’s inside at a glance, eliminating the need to rummage through the entire bin to find the towel you need.
Whichever material you choose, ensure the bins are sturdy enough to hold the weight of your linens without collapsing.
Labels
In addition to clear plastic that you can see through, feel free to take the organization up a further notch with labels! Clearly label your storage bins and baskets with the contents (e.g., “Bath Towels,” “Guest Room Sheets,” “Washcloths”). If you plan to organize other parts of your house, it might be worth it to invest in a label maker.
This not only saves you time when searching for specific linens but also keeps everyone in your household on the same organizational page. (A-hem to my kids who put the fresh clean washcloths in the bin called “hand towels”….).
By strategically using bins and baskets, you’re essentially creating compartments within your closet, allowing you to group similar items together and maximize the use of every precious inch of space.
Tip 4: Strategic Placement
No it’s time for the pièce de résistance – putting it all back together! This might seem like a simple task BUT just a little thought and planning can significantly impact the functionality and convenience of your linen closet.
Here are some tiny linen closet reorganization tips for placing your linens and small items back in their new home:
Frequency Needs Accessibility
Frequently used items, like bath towels and washcloths, deserve prime real estate. Store them on easily accessible shelves or in bins at eye level. For my family, that’s towels.
Less frequently used items, like guest room linens, extra pillows or seasonal blankets, can be tucked away on higher (or lower) shelves or in labeled bins on the floor. For my family, I placed sets of sheets and toiletries (i.e. my husband’s soap, hand soap, cleaning products) on the upper and lower shelves.
Not only does this help ease use and functionality of the closet, it might help keep the closet tidier longer. Why? You have structured the closet so that your family is frequently accessing only a few shelves. That means less digging, grabbing, less movement of items, etc… and the closet will remain tidier longer.
Up, Up and Away!
Don’t be afraid to utilize the full height of your closet! Stack your folded sheet sets in bins on the top shelf. Or invest in stackable storage containers for even more vertical space optimization. If your closet allows for it, consider installing a tension rod and hanging lightweight items like hand towels or beach towels. Every inch of vertical space counts in a tiny linen closet.
While my tiny linen closet is narrow, I do have vertical space – 71″, or almost 6 feet of storage. And by gosh, I’m going to use all of that small space!
Tip 5: Keep Up Maintenance
Unfortunately, maintaining a clutter-free and organized linen closet requires a bit of ongoing maintenance. Here are some tips to ensure your linen haven remains a haven for years to come:
- “One-In, One-Out” Rule: For every new item that enters your linen closet, donate or discard an unused item to maintain a healthy balance.
- Regular Checkup: Every few months, open up your closet and assess. Remove worn and unusable linens. Toiletries have sneakily multiplicated from your teenage daughter and her love of free makeup samples.
- Dust: Every few months, take a damp cloth and wipe down the shelves and bins. This quick cleaning routine keeps your linens smelling fresh and your storage containers looking their best.
- Have Fun: Just because it’s a linen closet, doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Add a cute shelf liner (which also adds protection to your shelves from spills from stored cleaning supplies). For a pop of color, paint the back of the closet a fun color, making it functional and attractive.
Here’s my closet post- organized. Towels grouped together and on a more accessible shelf. The linens are much neater. And toiletries are higher up in a less accessible place, but still easy enough to grab!
Looking for tiny linen closet inspiration? Check out my Small Linen Closet Organizing board on Pinterest.
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