Are you ready to get organized?! Take a look at these 7 inspiring linen closets and learn the 5 elements of linen closet organization that you can easily recreate in your own home.
Nearly every time the husband get sick he buys a new package of cold and flu medicine.
Why? Well, because it’s nearly impossible to find anything in our linen closet. It’s a complete disaster.
I bet we have at least 5 different kinds of cold and flue medicine in there…but good luck trying to find them.
It’s not like I haven’t tried to organize the linen closet before. I have! But nothing seems to work long term. Eventually, stuff just gets shoved in there with no organization at all, and then we find ourselves in the messy situation again.
It’s maddening.
That’s why I’m taking on our linen closet (and some open shelving) for the One Room Challenge this fall. It’s time to dig deep and do it right. .
No, I’m not going to wing it. Over the next 6 weeks, our tiny little linen closet will be transformed from disaster to dream. And I’m ready to jump right in.
The Linen Closet Right Now/Before
Here’s a quick look at our linen closet as it is right now. What a mess!
Our Open Shelves Right Now/Before
And here’s the open shelving I mentioned as well. I can’t believe we let this sit out in the open for all our guests to see!
So, now it’s time to get to the inspiration, right? Not quite!
Putting Together a Good Organizational Plan
A good design plan starts with inspiration.
That’s right. It doesn’t start with purging, or pulling together a shopping list, or even identifying what projects to make.
You’ve got to first figure out what inspires you.
The easiest way I’ve found to do that is to start with browsing sites like Pinterest and Google Image search for your project. Keep an open mind and don’t worry about looking for anything specific.
All you want to do is collect a bunch of images that you love.
Only then do you pull it all together.
You see, when you put several images together that inspire you, you are better able to see what the common elements are. And that’s what you want to focus on when designing your final space.
RELATED>>>>3 Unusual Ways to Create a Design Plan When You Have No Idea Where to Start
Let’s take a look at what that means for linen closet organization and open shelving, shall we?
Linen Closet Organization – The Plan
Credits: 1 – 5 Steps to the Perfect Linen Closet by Bliss at Home, 2 – A Little Peek at Our Linen Closet Makeover by Dear Lillie, 3 – Laundry Room Organization Using the NEAT Method from The Pottery Barn Blog, 4 – Pin Stripe Linen Closet from Better Homes and Gardens, 5 – Organized Linen Closet from Honey We’re Home, 6 – Linen Closet Organization from Waiting on Martha, 7 – Paulette Pantry used as a linen closet from How to Decorate by Ballard Designs
All of the linen closets above are beautiful on their own. But when you see all the pictures together, the common design really becomes obvious.
The overall feel is neutral and sophisticated. While brightly colored plastic bins are inexpensive, the inspiration photos show I need to steer away. Otherwise, I’ll be disappointed in the result.
Here are the 5 main elements of linen closet organization that are clear from these inspiration photos:
Woven Baskets.
Baskets are a great way to store the ugly items in your linen closet. Not only do they add visual texture, but they make it easy to keep similar items together.
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Metals.
Wire or metal baskets are sturdier than woven baskets. They’re great for large, similar items, like toilet paper and paper towels. They also add a bit more dimension and visual interest to your linen closet organization.
Glass Jars.
Apothecary jars are a beautiful way to store things like cotton balls and q-tips. These jars from Anchor Hawking come highly recommended. But, if you have three little ones in the house, like us, you’ll want to find a safe solution. (Update: We found the PERFECT solution! Click here for details)
Behind-the-door Storage.
Our linen closet is barely two feet wide, and the shelves are only about 11 inches deep. That’s not a lot of storage for a family of five. Adding storage to the back of the closet door is going to be crucial to keeping us organized.
Obviously we attempted this before with the hanging shoe bag. And as you can see from the before pictures, it didn’t work at all. I recommend sticking to narrow shelves or hanging rods. That way you can keep things a bit more organized.
On-the-floor Storage.
The space between the floor and the bottom shelf is usually the tallest. That means that it is easily the space that gets stuffed with the heaviest and bulkiest items. Make life easy for yourself and use rolling or sliding storage on the floor whenever possible.
Open Shelf Organization and Styling – The Plan
Credits: 1 – Unknown Source via Dawn Radke on Pinterest, 2 – DIY Between the Studs Shelf Closet Makeover by Remodelando la Casa, 3 – Trimmed Storage Niche at Better Homes and Gardens, 4 – Bathroom Storage Shelves by Stacey Risenmay (Not Just a Housewife), 5 – Open Shelving by Aimee Weaver Designs
Here again we can see several common elements among the inspiration pictures:
Creative Built-in Storage
I’m not sure we’ll be able to do anything built-in, but I love the idea. It’s especially functional for shallow shelves that are created between studs.
Beadboard Backer
The beadboard on the back of several of these shelves adds so much texture without being fussy. It’s a great way to make the a set of open shelves look nicely finished.
Boxes to Corral Clutter
Both open and closed-top boxes are a great way to keep clutter from spreading all along the shelves. Plus, they look pretty, too!
Plants and Greenery
You don’t really NEED plants to make open shelving look nice. But adding a natural touch with a small plant or two makes a space feel much more refined. (Even if it is a fake plant!)
Now, It’s Your Turn
Hopefully you can now see how important it is to create the right kind of design plan for your space before you get started. Armed with this, and the 5 ways to recreate the perfect linen closet organization, we can both now begin the journey toward a less-cluttered life.
Though, honestly, if we can just avoid having 5 or more boxes of cough and cold medication at any given time, I’ll be happy.
What are your best linen closet organization tips?
Do you prefer colorful or neutral closet storage?
See the Entire Renovation:
7 Simple Steps to a Perfectly Organized Linen Closet Custom Organization for Woven Storage Baskets 
Get the Look: Dip Painted Storage Boxes 
DIY Reversible Shelf Backing DIY Door Trim in One Afternoon 5 Tips to Stay Motivated During a Renovation 8 Tips for Using Contact Paper on Closet Shelves The Smart Way to Clean Out a Linen Closet 
Inspiration: How to Get Beautiful & Organized Linen Closets
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I want to extend many thanks to the readers who have enjoyed renovation and home DIY posts over the years. Unfortunately, in January 2018 I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer and had to stop doing home renovation posts due to treatment.
Since that time, my focus has been on making this website an amazing resource for the everyday mom’s parties. Due to their popularity, the DIY posts and tutorials will remain on the website, but comments are now closed. Thank you again and I wish you the best in your DIY endeavors!
Tamara says
Oh dear – not in ages. Cassidy and I have a funny system. I will say that I often clean it out of all the free toothbrushes or products I got from blogging (or the dentist) and I donate them all to charity, and then it all gets nice again.
I’m into colorful designs so much. Luckily Cassidy is too!
Candace Playforth says
So many great resources here! Thanks for the much needed inspiration. My linen closet is frightening. Pinning for later. This is definitely a project in my future :).
Jen says
Oh come do my linen closet! Every time I open it, it saps my will to live!
Well fone 🙂
Jen says
Oh come do my linen closet! Every time I open it, it saps my will to live!
Well done 🙂
Janine Huldie says
It is like you read my mind as I just thought this weekend that I need to clean out my linen closet and organize it. So definitely going to use some of your tips above when I do it now! Thanks Leslie 🙂
marie says
I love this and I am going to apply it to my actual closets because those are worst than my linens! Hoarding baby stuff is real!!!!
Lowanda j says
I love the ideas you have to improve storage and add a stylish flair. I am constantly changing my linen closet based on my boys. I have twins in college. When they come home with their junk, a lot of it ends up in storage, but some things change with what they take and leave. So, I have to adjust what we have in the closet. However, I only use mine for towels, linens, blankets, comforters and cleaning supplies…at the bottom and bag storage.
Brandi Puga says
Great ideas! I really need to do this! #happynowlinkup
Holly from klinwin.com says
Our linen closet needs a makeover too and I love the idea of the one room challenge! You’ve inspired me to either tackle our wreck of a linen closet OR our totally boring dining room.
#happynowlinkup
Jessica says
Thank you for sharing such great resources! I need to do this ASAP! I am a sucker for organization and for some reason it is the linen closet that gets messy first. Thanks for the inspiration! #happynowlinkup
April says
I’ve let my linen closet go..and go..and go. It’s just piles of towels really. These are pretty inspiration photos. Can’t wait to see your finished product!
KELLIE says
Love these organization ideas! It’s time to clean out and organize my own closet, and now the task doesn’t seem quite so daunting. Thanks!
#happynowlinkup
Jess says
Great ideas!! Looks so organized. The OCD in me would love this! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Kim~madeinaday says
My linen closet looks pretty close you yours! I can’t wait to see what you do with it. Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Pinned! Have a great week!
Kim
Angie Rose says
I need to do this so bad, it’s not even funny! Great tips!
Leslie says
As you can tell by the before photos, our linen closet was in dire straights. Having it cleaned up and organized is so wonderful!
Jess says
Great Tips! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Miriam says
Great inspiration for a linen closet and other storage spaces.
Leslie says
Aren’t those closets gorgeous! It’s always fantastic to start with good inspiration.
Jessica says
I love this! Our linen closet is not terribly unsightly, but it certainly isn’t pretty. I’d love a “pinterest worthy” linen closet.
Leslie says
It’s been wonderful having an organized linen closet…and I don’t let the family mess it up, either!
hannah says
For some reason, the linen closet is really hard to make look pretty. I like the idea of adding baskets, that would really add a nice touch. I’m saving this for inspiration 🙂
Leslie says
I think the most important thing we figured out was finding a system that makes it EASY to maintain. Then you make the rest of it look pretty. Thanks for stopping by and for saving!
Lisa says
Great inspiration for organizing a linen closet. I refer to my closets like this as rat’s nests. Things seem to magically collect and become jumbled and lost inside of them. I will be very interested to see what you do. Thanks for sharing!
Leslie says
YES! This was the problem we had. We could never find anything, and then we would end up buying more and more of what we already had. Now we can find things easily and avoid duplicate expenses.
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says
For me, it’s my large pantry/craft room/baking pan storage/dog supplies cluster that’s the problem. I should tackle it…someday! Visiting from Saturday Shuffle party.
Leslie says
Oh, yes. I’ve spent the last few weeks taking any extra time I had to purge my party and craft supplies. It’s amazing how much stuff accumulates that we don’t use!
Mimi says
Thank you for good ideas!
Mimi
Leslie says
So glad you like them Mimi!
Mother of 3 says
I am a compulsive neat freak but even i let my closets get a bit messier than I’d like. I typically go through and organize each winter just after christmas; pulling out everything, deciding what to keep and what to toss and then putting like stuff with like stuff. I’ll buy bins an d label them too… It makes me so happy to take a messy eye sore and make it look pretty again. There are some really great ideas here!!
Leslie says
Isn’t it awesome to see a mess turn into something gorgeous? My closet is done now, and these images were so helpful. I hope they help you too!
Angela Boone says
Such great ideas! Thanks for sharing!!
Leslie says
Thanks so much for stopping by!
FLORENCE @ VintageSouthernPicks says
Our linen closet is really just a couple of cabinets. I would love to have a real closet. In addition to towels and bedding, ours has cat food.in it. Ha! Made me feel so good to purge a bunch of stuff out of it last year. Love those modern styles you chose! Each one of them is something I would like!
Leslie says
Our linen closet is pitifully small. Purging definitely helps. The hardest part is actually maintaining the organization! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Maisy says
Truly inspiring to declutter and transform those overflowing shelves and drawers into a bright and open storage space! Love it 🙂 Happy Thursday!
Leslie says
Thanks so much Maisy! We love our cleaned up linen closet, and this inspiration was instrumental in getting us there.
Bella and dawn at Dear mummy blog says
This is a great space saving exercise and we love what’ you’ve done! We have a couple of cupboards like that in need of TLC x #FamilyFunLinky
Kristine says
These photos are so inspiring; and that is good advice to start the project with an inspiration board! Since it’s so much fun to do that, I am excited to take that step! Thank you for presenting a good plan to follow!
KAren says
Can I just hire you to come sort my house!! We’re very cluttered and chaotic every where in our home atm hopefully will get better one day. Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky
Leslie says
Ha! I wish the rest of the place were so organized. With 3 little kids, we’ve got plenty of chaos here, too. My best advice: take it slow, be thoughtful, and don’t tackle the areas that aren’t worth it. (playroom, anyone?)
Jann Olson says
So many great organizational ideas! There are so many cute baskets and jars now days. I have open shelving in our basement linen closet. It stays neat and tidy, but it’s not used very often. Makes a big difference. 🙂 Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann