Linen closets often become an overflow of bedding, towels, toiletries, and more. Make this commonly used space more coordinated (and stylish) with these clever tips.
1. De-Clutter
The first step to getting your linen closet organized is to get rid of the items that don’t need to be there. “The less clutter there is, the more sane you’ll be,” says entertaining and design blogger Julie Blanner. Get rid of anything you don’t use, including old bedding and towels that may have a hole or stain. Place these in a donate pile (we’ll cover where to donate later).
2. Single Out the Small Stuff
“Store small linens like washcloths or hand towels upright in a shallow bin. This keeps them contained, easy to see, and quick to grab,” advises Sandra Schustack, home organization expert and owner of Clear Your Space East.
3. Round Up the Rolls
Keep extra toilet paper rolls in an oversized wire basket you can find at Target or Bed Bath & Beyond. It keeps them from rolling all over the place and actually manages to make stored toilet paper look pretty.
4. Store Sheets Together
Use decorative baskets to keep like-sized sets of sheets from falling over. Add a label and easily identify what you’re looking for! Bin clip labels are reusable and easy to attach to baskets, bins, or boxes.
Martha Stewart’s favorite trick for keeping matching sheet sets together? Store each set of sheets inside a pillowcase. “Tuck the sheet set inside one of its pillowcases, and then stack according to size (twin, full, queen, king) or by the room you use the sheets in (master bedroom, guest room).”
5. Box Beauty Products
Use clear, plastic shoe boxes to sort everything from loose beauty samples and sunscreen to toothbrushes and floss. Label each box with a stick-on chalkboard label so you can reuse them. You’ll never waste time searching for something because everything is neatly labeled and accessible.
6. Use a Spinner for Easy Access
Linen closets often become a catchall. Schustack uses a Lazy Susan to store meds, cleaning supplies, or extra toiletries on a shelf. Simply spin and grab what you need without moving a bunch of supplies around!
7. Bag Sparsely Used Linen
Skip bulky tubs and bins for linen you rarely use. Instead, use clear storage bags. They’ll help you contain and identify your items, stack on top of one another, and are easy to squeeze into tight spaces.
8. Go High
If you have tall, hard-to-reach space, store pillows and blankets vertically. You’ll be able to see the items, while also maximizing what many find to be an unusable space.
9. Don’t Discount Door Space
“Max out all of your closet space by installing narrow baskets and hooks on the back of closet doors,” explains Schustack. “This way, the frequently used cleaning supplies, toiletries, or household contents you always seem to need are in hand’s reach.”
3 eco-friendly, fair-trade bedding companies that benefit you and the environment
If you’re in the market for new sheets, consider an organic or planet-friendly alternative. Most people spend one-third of their lives sleeping, so who wants to be catching those zzzs on chemical-laden bedding? Here are three organic alternatives we love.
- SOL Organics’ founders set out to “bring ethical integrity to a marketplace saturated with inequality, abuse, and dirty cotton.” The result is durable, high-quality bedding that is non-GMO, certified raw 100 percent organic cotton, and manufactured in a FLO-certified factory.
- Under the Canopy produces beautiful bedding, baby products, towels, robes, and more all derived from GOTS-certified organic cotton in vibrant shades made from non-toxic, organic dyes. Under the Canopy also requires that all cellulosic fibers and wood-based products be made from eco-optimized tree pulp as certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
- Jefferson Lane’s mission is to provide high-quality, organic bedding at a fair price. They take pride in family-owned factories using the very best organic cotton and eco-friendly processes. Their luxurious, 300-thread-count sateen-weave sheets are processed without the use of artificial softeners, anti-wrinkle finishes, and toxic color dyes.
Where to donate used bedding and towels
It feels refreshing to get rid of things you no longer use, but it feels even better knowing those things may help someone in need. Make sure to wash all items before donating.
- Animal shelters like PAWS Chicago are commonly looking for bath towels or bed sheets to help with grooming needs or a cozier sleeping space for the animals.
- Sarah’s Circle offers a variety of services to more than 900 women a year who are affected by homelessness in Chicago and welcome donations of large towels.
- GreenDrop works with the American Red Cross to pick up items such as gently used blankets, bedding, and towels for those in need.
More from Make It Better:
- Partner Spotlight: Cedar Roofing Company, Chicago’s Trusted Residential Roofing Team
- How to Organize Your Kitchen Like a Pro: Tips, Tricks, and the Best Products to Help You Do It Right
- Peek Inside This Colorful and Sophisticated Chicago Bungalow for Instant Home Design Inspiration
Jenny Muslin has been writing for Make It Better for eight years. She has also written for publications such as Chicago Parent, NS Modern Luxury, Red Tricycle, and Stroller Traffic. When she isn’t writing or researching the latest beauty innovations, she’s having a dance party with her husband and two kids. Jenny proudly supports Moms Demand Action and The Chicago Lighthouse.
