A Pinterest-Worthy Linen Closet in 30 Minutes or Less

November 03, 2016

You have all seen the linen closets we’re talking about. The matching wicker baskets that are all labeled with matching calligraphy lined up perfectly on the shelf. The apothecary jars containing travel sized toiletries for guests. The towels folded as neatly as a department store’s display.

Well covet no longer, and get to work, people! We've accumulated the essential steps to make your linen closet organized and presentable.

Step one is purge. If you are like the rest of us, you have been disappointed with sheets that felt great in the store but terrible after a few launderings (see our solution to that problem!). Or you love bright white towels but they've developed a grayish yellow tinge you can’t get out despite following these suggestions.

We are giving you permission to stop wasting closet space and donate those unused sheets and unattractive towels to your local animal shelter that needs them.

Next step is divide and conquer. Sort through your sheets and divide them into cool crisp cottons for summer and warm fuzzy flannels for winter. Store out of season sets on hard-to-reach top shelf. Keep the sheets in current circulation on eye level so they are handy.

Now re-fold your sheets, blankets and towels properly. This one-time exercise creates more room in your linen closet and looks so much prettier. Towels can be rolled like a fancy hotel. Tie bulky winter blankets with ribbons to keep from unfolding. Our personal favorite: fold your sheets and place them inside one of the pillowcases. Click here to finally learn how to fold a fitted sheet.

Step four, set up a system to easily find the right sheet for the right bed. Affix labels like “twin” or “queen” with safety pins to each set tucked inside its pillowcase. Another way to keep track is to buy one color sheet for all your queen mattresses, and different colors for crib and for the kids’ twins.

Make grandma proud while taking extra care to store sheets over extended periods. Don't hang cotton sheets on hangers; the fiber will break. And don't store cotton inside plastic bags; the fabric can yellow. For antique linens or Christmas tablecloths, wrap them in $10 acid free paper and store them with something to repel insects like cedar blocks.

After your have your carefully selected, neatly folded and organized linen closet you must make a promise to yourself to maintain it. When you are putting the laundry away, put each item in the same place from which you took it. The hardest part is forming the habit.

Congratulations!!! Now take pictures of your neatly organized linen closet and post them to Pinterest!