Organizing a Small Linen Closet

Organizing a Small Linen Closet can be a challenge. If you need to get your linen closet organized I have some ideas to help you get it in shape.

Organizing a Small Linen Closet

To give you reference this closet is a little less than 23″ wide and 9′ tall. It needs to hold all the guest and kid’s linens, bedding, blankets, towels, and even games. It’s not ideal for games but there is nowhere else to store them.

Here’s the before photo. It’s not too terrible if I’m in charge but if the kids put things away it can quickly get out of hand. Baskets are the key to keeping things neat, tidy and contained. Remember to keep like things together so everything is easy to find. And finally, get rid of the excess before you start organizing the space.

Linen Closet before

Organizing a Small Linen Closet

Let’s start on the top shelf with the games. Since the bedrooms and closets in this house are all pretty small this was really the only place to store games. Games that haven’t been played with were donated before the space was evaluated. Small games are contained in a large basket and the big games are at the side of the basket. It’s easy for the kids to get the games out and put them back in the basket. The large games slide out easily without having to remove several to get to other games.

Linen Closet game basket

Since we spend a lot of time at the pool and the beach we use a lot of pool towels. Roll towels to save on space and to fit more in the basket. I was able to triple the number of towels in this space by rolling instead of folding.

Linen Closet Pool Towels Basket

The bath towels fit perfectly in these baskets. We have one that holds the kid’s towels and one that holds guest towels. I like to keep the guest and kid’s towels separate and this seems to be working.

Linen closet guest towels basket

Keep your sheets all together by placing the set inside it’s pillowcases. The whole set is together when it’s time to change the bedding. How many sheet sets do you need for each bed? You really only need 2 and it saves on space and money. I have extra pillow cases because I change those more often than once a week.

Linen Closet sheet baskets

The next shelf holds extra blankets and the bottom shelf holds extra pillows. The smaller blankets are perfect for the grandkids when they come to visit.

Linen Closet blankets

I bought these chalkboard tags for 6 for $1. You can also make them by applying chalkboard paint to chipboard pieces. I’ve done that several times for my kid’s closets. Label the tags with a chalk marker then attach them to the baskets with twine.

Linen Closet basket tags

Here’s the after photo. The baskets add so much order to the closet by keeping everything contained even if the kids put things away. The tags make it easy to know what is stored in each basket. They can be really useful when linens are different sizes. It also looks tidy when you open the closet door.

Linen Closet after

I purchased all 6 baskets and the tags for under $40. I recommend watching for sales of at least 50% off to get the best deals. Just a reminder that organizing doesn’t have to be expensive. 

Linen Clost Organizing Baskets with Chalkboard tags

Happy Organizing!

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{ 11 comments… add one }
  • Marie, The Interior Frugalista January 8, 2016, 6:12 am

    I love using baskets in the linen closet, bathroom, kitchen…okay, I have them everywhere! I like your idea of using chalkboard tags so they can be changed as things get reorganized. I just happen to be going to Michaels today so I will be on a quest to find these!

  • Meegan January 8, 2016, 3:21 pm

    Leann,
    Thanks so much for sharing your organized linen closet. I am actually working on mine right now. And I needed these tips.
    Love your blog!
    Happy New Year!

  • Allison Dey Malacaria January 8, 2016, 5:55 pm

    This is very similar to what I did years ago with my family. We actually had a good sized linen closet, but the organizing happened when I found 7 dirty (out of 8) bath towels for 4 people in the bathroom. The next day, each person owned two color-coded bath towels and one washcloth. There were 2 hand towels, one for the bathroom, one in the closet. There were two sets of sheets for each bed, one on the bed, one in the closet, plus one flannel set for cold winter nights. These were kept in the plastic zip bags. Each was labeled by size as we had three size beds: single, double, queen. Feather comforters were stored in there in summer, and the cotton thermals were the summer blanket. We did keep the games at the bottom though so the children could get them by themselves. I’m not sure why you’d have your at the top. My philosophy with most things was one in use, one spare. Never needed more. Your closet looks lovely!

  • Gina January 8, 2016, 5:58 pm

    January is my month to clean and organize! I love the use of inexpensive baskets – I use them all over the house. Good tips!

  • Angie @ Postcards from the Ridge January 9, 2016, 9:39 am

    Your linen closet looks great. I love the chalkboard tags. Thanks for the tips!

  • Ashley @ Simply Designing January 9, 2016, 12:07 pm

    Uh wow! This looks amazing! I definitely need to do this to my linen closet asap! So pretty! Pinning for later.

  • Malia January 10, 2016, 9:22 am

    Oh my gosh I am so jealous of your tidy closet! It looks awesome!

  • Maryann @ Domestically Speaking January 10, 2016, 10:58 am

    Baskets really make such a difference and I love the chalkboard labels!

  • Raquel January 12, 2016, 10:08 am

    Oh I am obsessed with chalkboard and love the labels. Great job on the linen closet Leanne!

  • Kristen June 5, 2019, 10:29 am

    Love your closet! Where did you get your baskets? Thanks!

  • Julia Waldron February 26, 2021, 6:45 am

    This is wonderful and exactly the help I needed. Thanks!

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