Re-thinking The Linen Closet

Almost every home has a linen closet, but few really need one. Often when I am organizing a client’s home, we go searching for under utilized storage space, and the linen closet is often it. With a little shifting and creativity, you can put this prized storage space to premium use to fit the NEEDS of your family.

First, assess all of the linens for each bedroom in the house. Are there any that are stained, getting worn, thin or faded? If so, toss them or put them to good use such as rags, costumes, or drop cloth!

Second, determine HOW many bedding sets per bedroom is enough. Generally it is two. Next, take a tip from Martha, and fold the fitted and flat sheets and place inside the pillowcase for neat storage and to keep everything together.

Finally, consider the common organization rule of “placing items next to where you use them”. If the baby’s room is upstairs and your linen closet is downstairs, it makes much more sense to place them upstairs to start, but even more sense to store in the baby’s room itself – in the closet, in a dresser drawer, or you even can store the spare set flat between the mattress and box spring! It is sooo much more convenient when it is time for a family member to change sheets, to have them conveniently located nearby, and eliminates any confusion and mix ups of various bed sizes and sheet preferences.

In the winter, store extra blankets at the end of your bed, across a chair or in your closet. If you find you aren’t putting them to use – get rid of them! Or box them up and put them in the garage or attic. In the summer- box'em up. Place them under your bed in a rolling bin, in a chest, or in your closet. Consider shrinking them down, by using a Space Bag and removing all the air from the bag.

Now that you have a cleared out closet – here are some closet storage ideas that may be more practical and needed in YOUR home.
* Arts and crafts center: Scrap booking, Sewing, School Supplies etc.
* Emergency preparedness. If your kitchen is lacking an adequate
pantry, or if you stockpile food, or have emergency preparedness items,
this is a great space for infrequently accessed, or bulk food items.
* Stockpiled items. If you clip coupons and stockpile items like food,
paper goods, excess toiletries, cleaners etc. and find the garage
storage in the Texas Summer is NOT an option. This is a great storage
place.
* Butler’s Pantry. If you don’t have a china hutch, buffet, or adequate
space for dinning related items, consider storing china, crystal, linens
and serving platters.
* Library or school center. Store reading books, reference materials, and
school supplies. Hang backpacks on inside of door with this great tool.
* Game Closet. If conveniently located near your living or dinning room;
store family games, video games, music etc.
* Gift Closet. If you are the person that shops throughout the year and
keep gifts on hand, you can store them in here, along with wrapping
paper, and gift cards etc.
* Office. Seriously. I have seen many people creatively use closet space
as an office. Matter of fact, in my last home, my sons’ desk along with
his computer and all his materials were in his bedroom closet! If you
write or use a laptop at the kitchen table, or have a small kitchen
computer area, you can store the rest of your office materials in here.
Phone books, reference binders and books, filing totes or small filing
cabinet, office supplies etc. If you want to go the next level, consider
adding lighting, possibly removing a bottom shelf to create a
desk/working area, and adding a chair that will fit. You can close the
door to put the office “away” or take the door off!

Utilize that door! An Elfa over the door system can be used for food or paper products, or toiletries, and their media door storage system can be used for DVD’s, CD's, and VHS tapes.

By simply placing linens in the rooms they are used, you now have have oodles of choices of how to BEST use this space in your home. I'd like to hear how you decide to use the linen closet in YOUR home.