Day 10 :: Get Your Home Decluttered in 28 Days: Linen Closet

 

 

Oh joy!  Decluttering the linen closet in our house was long overdue!  Can you believe I am literally airing my dirty (well, the linens were clean but you get my drift) laundry on the site?  I guess I want to let those of you know who might have a linen closet that looks a little (or lot) like mine that there is hope!  Step by step we can get the house de-cluttered!  Here are some steps I took and ones I read from the declutter masters on what to do when clearing out your linen closet.  Here we go!

 

Yikes!

 

 

Step One:

Make Space. Clear off your bed so you can start folding and organizing your linens.  Now take everything out – one shelf at a time.    Make sure to have a couple bags ready to throw out or donate linens you no longer need or want.  I have a huge pile of towels and sheets for our local animal shelter.  Check with your shelter, they are usually in  need of towels, blankets and sheets. Again, take it one shelf at a time and start putting them in sections according to their sizes.

 

 

Step Two:

Organize your sheets into the sizes: Twin, Double and King and fold them nicely in each section.  Each Sheet Set size should have it’s own place on the shelf.  You can even label them like in the examples below.  Here is a tutorial from Real Simple on how to best fold sheets.  Some suggest you put the sheets in a pillow case and others recommend to fold the top sheet around the pillowcases and bottom sheet for a streamlined look.  Me, I am happy to just get them folded up nicely and put back in their spot.  But if you want to go the extra step, by all means, go for it!

 

 

Step Three:

Organize your towels and sheets.  They recommend three towels per person in the house and two sets of sheets per bed.  I also kept some of the older towels in a separate pile that we use to wash the car and dry off the dog. Make sure to keep these separate in another pile or in a cute container. That way, they are organized but out of the way of your nice linens.  You can go the extra step and get some cute baskets at your local discounted store or use some that you have around the house.  I might look and see what Marshalls has, but I’m happy at this moment that the closet isn’t overflowing with stuff anymore!

 

 

 

Step Four:

Use Baskets. Use some of those baskets you have around the house and store your necessities, like toilet paper, soaps, shampoo, etc.  Below are some fun examples of what you can store in your closet, depending on the space you have.  We don’t really have a linen closet per se, but a space in our Master Bedroom closet that we use.  So work with the space you have, but go the extra step and make it pretty.  I used this African basket to store our rugs.  Think outside the box and use some things you love but use it in a new way! Some people even put fake flowers in a vase in theirs or labeled each basket.  Make it the way you like and have fun with it!

 

 

Step Five:

Create a Beauty Box.  I read on one of the Pinterest posts about having a cute tray ready to go for when guests stay with you.  I figured why not make one for yourself as well!  You can use any box or basket you have in the house. I had this beautiful box just sitting in the messy closet collecting dust.  I cleaned it off, and stored some pretty soaps, face mask, crystals (just because), deep conditioning hair treatment and other goodies.  This is your box to enjoy when you have a few moments to yourself!  These were items I already had but just placed them in the box for future use.  You probably have some of these things as well laying around.

 

UPDATE:

Ended up finding some cute baskets at Marshalls and just had to get them!  We had sold some clothes, toys, etc., at our local Children’s Boutique so we used this money.  Make sure to check with your local resale boutiques for either your or the kids clothing to make some extra money!  I had serious linen-closet envy after seeing these pictures on Pinterest so figured I would get some baskets to organize the space better.  Whatcha think?  It’s the little things, isn’t it?!

 

 

Now enjoy your new linen closet!  Of course, I couldn’t just stop with that section of the closet, I went full force and cleaned out the whole thing – I figured I had some time – why not!  But that is another post!  I do like having my purses in full view now so I can’t complain that I don’t have any to wear!  Check out some other ideas to make your linen closet purty!

 

 

 

 

 

Love the DIY Medicine basket Simplicity in the South made.  Read more here:

 

 

Here is a good example of using wire baskets to keep it all organized but in site!  Read more here:

 

 

This linen closet is actually a large Armoire in the bedroom but sure does look pretty! Read more here.

 

 

If I had a linen closet this big this is what I would go for!  Love all the pretty baskets, glass jars, etc.  Read more on Better Homes and Garden here:

 

Take it a step further:

 

Paint the inside of the closet a great color.  This is a spot that usually only you will see, so why not be adventurous?

Get some new baskets and label the outside of them to give it a little something extra!

Get a new laundry basket for the upstairs or master bedroom.  Now that my closet is organized, I was able to place our small basket inside the closet – yay!

And remember, you can always come back to it!  It doesn’t need to be Pinterest Perfect!  You can purchase the boxes or containers you want at a later date or add to it as you go.  But let’s start with getting out the linens you don’t need anymore.  Good luck and remember, if I can do it – you can do it!

 

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