Day 17
What is hiding in your linen closet? I ask this because like a hall closet, it seems to get abused. Things are stuffed, shoved and hidden in this closet and left for dead. When we go to actually get sheets or towels out, they seem to all jump out at the same time as if they may be rescued from disorganized mayhem! Keeping a linen closet organized is not as difficult as it may seem.
First, we need to empty it out and wipe down the shelves. We do in fact want a Fresh Start now don’t we? (yes shameful plug for my business!) Also, you don’t want dusty sheets and towels now do you? So get cleaning!
After you have sparkling shelves, start sorting and purging. Keep only what you NEED! I like to have two sets of sheets per bed. One on and one in the closet. If you like to switch out your sheet sets for seasons, keep in the linen closet only what the current season is. The additional sheets can be store in a less convenient area (high up in the closet, under the bed, under another bed, in a drawer in the guest room…). Also, I like to keep three towels per person in the house. I am big on all white – cause it is easy! I can bleach them when they are grungy, I can wash them all together, I can use the same one in every bathroom in the house…the list of advantages go on and on.
Other things that may be kept in a linen closet are extra pillows, blankets, cloth napkins and table cloths. Be realistic with your space. If you have room to store lots of extras, you are very blessed. But for the most part, we only need a minimal amount. I have had clients baulk at me because of their kids needs. From sleep-overs to forts, people feel they need so many extras. Here is my answer to that…if you have an extra set of sheet for all the beds in the home, you have enough for sleep-overs and forts! Unless your sheets are made of gold, why would you not just use these spares? Also, how many extra pillows do you really need? Can’t you ask the kids coming over for a sleep-over to bring their own? Think how you can get by with less. Your bulging closet will thank you!
For your table linens, think about how often you really use them and how much you really need. I like the concept of white. Please don’t tell me it is boring! I love that I can dress up the white with anything! It is so simple, because anything matches it! I get to use any accent color I want! I look at it as a blank slate that I can be as creative with as I see fit. Also, it can be as sophisticated or casual depending on what you decorate with!
Once you get down to what you REALLY need, assign homes for your linens. You will be surprised how helpful this is. Label once you have arranged the space. This will help when others go to look for what they need and help them put things away (remember to delegate chores!!!). If you have as much trouble getting your sheet sets to stack (you know the leaning tower of sheets!) as I do, try using a basket to hold each set. Looks clean and neat, whether it really is or not! Love to fool the eye into thinking everything is looking good!
I will say, I don’t use my linen closet for linens any longer! I keep the spare set of sheets in the bedrooms they belong to! I use the high closet shelf in one bedroom for the extra set of pillows (2) for sleep-over guests. Also, I keep spare towels in each bathroom! (I got caught out of the shower with no towel a few too many times!) I keep my table linens in a drawer in my living room. Closer to the dining area and the piece has shallow drawers, so the linens fit in it perfectly! So what do I use my linen closet for? I use my linen closet to hold board games. I will be honest, it is not even full! (Please don’t hate me!) My home is not large, so you can tell I really keep only what we need!
What is the strangest thing kept in your linen closet? How do you keep your linen closet clean? How many sheet sets do you really need? Can you use the space for something else? Let us know!
About Gail Gray
