Wouldn’t it be great to grab a towel from your tiny linen closet that doesn’t involve an avalanche of mismatched linens crumbling to your feet? Recently I went through the process of decluttering and organizing a small linen closet. And today I’m sharing 5 tips I learned to help you maximize and effectively use all space in your small linen closet.
Backstory
We live in an old charming Craftsman-style house. Unfortunately, old houses are notorious for either having no closets, or itty-bitty closets. Old houses – big on charm, light on closetspace.
So while I’m thrilled to have a linen closet in my old house, it’s tiny. And cramped. It holds way too many linens and toiletries, and nothing is organized.
After some research, I learned that 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).”
For the decluttering part, I used a simple 4-step process to whittle the chaos down to the just items that REALLY needed to be there.
RELATED POST: 4 Easy Steps to Declutter a Tiny Linen Closet [Part 1]
Which wasn’t minimalist, but not maximalist. Think Goldie Locks.
And then with the items that remained, I organized them strategically in the closet to maximize use of space while staying tidy.
RELATED POST: 5 Effective Tiny Linen Closet Reorganization Tips
It took a lot of trial and error (with a dash of patience – see lesson #5) but I’m pleased with how it all turned out.
Here’s what I learned:
Lesson 1: Linen Closet Organization is Challenging
Halfway through my organization process, it hit me (like an avalanche of toilet paper rolls) that organizing linen closets is more challenging than other closets. Why? Two reasons:
- Unlike a personal bedroom closet, a linen closet caters to the needs of your entire family. A bedroom closet only has to meet the needs of 1-2 people. But a linen closet must contain all the items of your household – from the towel-hoarding teenager to the guest who prefers a luxurious bath sheet.
- Because everyone uses the linen closet, it can go from “tidy” to “hot mess” in 60 seconds. The constant traffic of grabbing, refilling, and (let’s be honest) sometimes shoving things back in can quickly turn a neatly organized space into a jumbled mess.
Lesson 2: We Have Too Much Stuff
Let’s face it, we all tend to hold onto things “just in case.” Does that perfectly good, but slightly faded, floral bedsheet set from Aunt Mildred need to stick around?
In the linen closet, these “just in case” items can quickly multiply, creating a cluttered illusion of abundance. The truth is, most of us likely don’t need a year’s supply of towels or a linen collection fit for a boutique hotel.
I realized that my family didn’t need as much as I thought in that tiny linen closet, especially when I decluttered using a linen inventory.
I was surprised by how much stuff I could confidently let go of. By honestly assessing what my family truly uses and needs, I freed up valuable space to build a manageable and functional closet.
Lesson 3: Set a Restock Routine
One of the biggest mistakes I made with my linen closet was the urge to stockpile everything. I convinced myself I needed months’ worth of towels and sheets on hand “just in case”.
This approach led to crammed shelves and a constant feeling of overwhelm.
A better strategy? Create a simple system replenishing as needed. In my case, I implemented a weekly “restock” routine. I didn’t need to stockpile 48 rolls of toilet paper, when I had a huge storage area in the basement that could hold the extras.
Every time I clean the bathroom, I take a quick inventory of toiletries, refilling anything that’s running low (or make my kids do it….). This system ensures I always have enough on hand without the clutter of excessive stockpiling.
Lesson 4: Master Your Fold
Let’s be honest, folding linens isn’t exactly the most thrilling household chore. BUT mastering the art of the space-saving fold can be a game-changer for your linen closet.
Before my decluttering journey, my linen folding technique was best described as “haphazard at best.” Sheets ended up crumpled and overflowing shelves, while towels became a tangled mess.
However, a little research and experimentation revealed a method for folding sheets that maximized space and kept them (fairly) wrinkle-free. That folding towels versus rolling worked best for my closet.
My shelves looked organized, and I could actually see everything I had at a glance.
Lesson learned? Finding the “right” fold can significantly improve both the functionality and aesthetics of your linen closet. There are a ton of linen folding techniques out there – try a bunch and see what works.
Lesson 5: Trial, Error & Dash of Patience
As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. And neither should an organized tiny linen closet.
Creating any truly efficient and organized space (closet, kitchen, etc…) takes time, patience, and a willingness to adapt. It took me a few tries over a few weeks to finally get a closet I was happy with.
Don’t get discouraged if your first attempt at folding sheets doesn’t yield magazine-worthy results. Or if your carefully stacked towels topple over after a week of family use.
The key is to approach linen closet organization as an ongoing process. After a couple of weeks with your new system, take a step back and assess what’s working and what needs tweaking.
Maybe you discover a different folding technique that works better for your towels. Or perhaps you realize you need additional storage containers for miscellaneous items. Remember, even the smallest changes can make a big difference in creating a linen closet that truly functions for your family.
Show me your before and after tiny closet transformations!
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