From The Desk of Clearissa Coward’s Command Center – Divinely Organized
Small Linen Closet Organization Rewind
Have you ever organized a space just to realize a few months later that the system you have put into place just doesn’t work for you and your lifestyle? I have on several occasions. The latest being the system I put into place a couple of years ago in my small linen closet. My initial reaction was that I liked the look and it was neat and organized and I loved it. Or so I thought. But the system did not work for my lifestyle and it did not work when hubs helped by putting folded towels and sheets away. The only thing to do was to create a new and improved system of organization for our small linen closet. One that works for our lifestyle. It was back to the drawing board.
As I say always, every organizational system does not fit all personality types or family types or household types. A system will only work and you will only keep a system up if it is conducive to your lifestyle. So, I remodeled my system for my small linen closet. This time I think I have found the system that will work for us. However, only time and use of the system will tell. Let me know what you think of my new system and let me know if you think my new system could perhaps work for you.
Previous Process
As you can see from the pictures below, I thought I had a decent process in place but there were several issues with my previous process.
- The first issue is that although I labeled shelves, I did not contain items
- The second issue is that I did get rid of enough of the linen when I purged. There was just too much stuff left over
- The third and final issue is that although the closet was neat and orderly when it was first adopted, it was not a system that would remain intact, as you can see.
…and so a new system is put into place
What You Will Need:
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Process
- The first step is as always, remove everything from the linen closet. As you can see from the pictures above, I had a lot of stuff to remove
- Once everything was out of the closet, I cleaned the shelves
- Once the shelves were clean, I began my purge. Although many of the towels were in great shape, I no longer used many of them either because of color or just because they did not feel soft and cozy. I packed up what I no longer need to donate to the women’s shelter and some to all other items were packed for donation to the Goodwill.
- I laundered all of the linen I was keeping and while I was waiting for the first load to dry, I decided how to reset the small closet.
- I added a fabric softener sheet to each shelf before placing the storage bins. I like the way they make the linen smell. I also placed one inside each storage bin as well. Smells so fresh and clean, clean.
- As each dryer load was ready I folded each washcloth, hand towel, towel, pillow case and sheet the exact same way for consistency and each has its own basket and/or space.
- Once everything was folded and placed in its own bin and or space, I labeled each bin. The shelves were already labeled from my last attempt to organize this closet.
- I placed items that I do not use often on the top shelf and a basket with extra toilet paper in a large wicker basket on the floor along with a storage bin with extra towels. My ironing board hangs on the inside of the door on an over-the-door ironing board holder. Yep, they really do exist and you can shop an ironing board holder here.
The Completed Project
I realize I could purge even more towels and my plan is to switch over to all white linen. However, I have a five-year-old grandson, a husband, and an eleven-year-old dog. And because of them, I keep extra towels around. And if you have a pet, children or even a husband, then you know extra towels are sometimes required! 🙂 Eventually, my goal is to have all white towels in my linen closet and store the extra towels in a trunk at the foot of the bed in my guest room or in under the bed containers. But for now, the different colored towels will remain. Nice towels are expensive and I wait for white sales to purchase nice ones. But the closet is neat and orderly. I must say, I am disappointed in the pictures. Because the closet looks much better in person than my photos are indicating! I am going to have to take that photography class!
I hope you like my small linen closet makeover. What are you making over this summer?
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Thank You for Stopping By!
Your linen closet looks much like mine, both before I organised and after. You are very clever, though. You hung your ironing board up on the inside of the door. I am going to try that. It is always in my way and I need a permanent place for it not too far out of the way.
Hi Barbara. Thank you. Great minds think alike. I would love to see pictures of your linen closet as well. Thank you so much for stopping by.
I’m a sucker for great organization. 🙂 Our linen closet gets an overhaul yearly (to donate) but hanging up the ironing board inside was a great idea that I’ll be adding!!! Thanks so much.
My linen closet never appears organized. Not sure why but these are great tips and/or ideas that even my teen can apply! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sarah, I feel you. I am always organizing and reorganizing. I have already ordered more of the storage bins so that I can put more of the towels and linen in bins. I prefer that look. It is always a work in progress. Thank you for stopping by.
Looks great, Clearissa! And you’ve inspired me to tackle my own small linen closet! I recently bought six new white bath towels from JCPenney. They have kind of a waffle texture and are meant to dry more quickly. Love them!
Well thanks for stopping by. I hope you and your teen can implement enough of the ideas to manage your linen closet. Stop in again.
Hi Jean. Thank you. I am happy you enjoyed the article. I am slowly buying white towels. I love the gray ones too but for now. I am currently working with I have. A towel that drys faster. I will have to look for those. Thanks for sharing.
Looks like you made some nice improvements. I love my towels stacked and organized. Thank you Clearissa for attending the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty. I pinned your post on Pinterest and shared it on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter.
Hi Dee. I am happy you enjoyed the article. I wasn’t quite satisfied with the project so I added more storage containers. Now I am pleased because all of my towels are in the storage boxes except for the white ones so I am a happy camper now. Perhaps I need to do a quick update. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.