A Linen Closet Makeover

Staying home has been our norm for nearly a year at this point. We’ve all spent more time than ever tucked inside our spaces, and with 2021 well underway, I’ve been itching to give our house a top-to-bottom refresh. I started by reorganizing the kitchen pantry followed by a mini guest bedroom makeover that made a world of difference. As for this week? I set out to tackle the linen closet, which was in serious need of attention.

Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to pick up a few tips from our dear friend, Shira Gill, and decided to put them to the test. Armed with our favorite storage baskets and labels, I set aside an afternoon of organizing, and here’s the best part. This project was easier (and way more fun) than you might think.

 

Photography: Madeline Harper 

 

Organizing a linen closet makeover has been on my to-do list for longer than I can remember. Prior to this refresh, we had a hodgepodge of unmarked storage bins stuffed with more linens than the space could even hold. (Need further proof? I’ve even included a fun little ‘before’ photo below.) I finally set aside a day to tackle the closet, and my only regret is not doing it sooner.

 

 

The Space

 

Our linen closet sits within our primary bathroom—also known as the ‘Archway to Heaven’—which we recently renovated last year. The linen closet is right next to the water closet and houses everything from bath towels to toilet paper, wash cloths, bed sheets and more. 

The flooring featured in our linen closet is a Pumice Penny Tile from Alexander James, which we ran through the entire bathroom. This Penny Tile runs from the shower room floor, into the main area, into the toilet room and all the way into the linen closet. For anyone interested in a similar look, you can shop their tile collection here and use code IDCO15 for 15% off your entire order.

 

The Before

 

 

The After

 

 

Tips for a Linen Closet Makeover

 

one

 

First up, grab your supplies. I used the tried-and-true Water Hyacinth Storage Bins from The Container Store. They come in four different sizes, so you can select what fits best for your space. Next, make sure to pick up bin clips and labels for a well-organized look. These white bin clips are fantastic, but this pick from Amazon also gets the job done.

 

two

 

Ok, now it’s time to take everything, and I mean EVERYTHING out. Starting with a clean slate is key and helps you see the space you’re actually working with. Not sure what to do with your current bins? I repurposed our existing plastic baskets (which were really too small for this space) by moving them over to the office. I’m still on the hunt for a pretty ironing board, but we’ll eventually hang it on the wall in the closet instead of just lounging in the middle like the ‘before’ photo shows.

 

three

 

Next, I’m taking a page out of the Shira Gill playbook and suggesting you come up with general categories for each storage basket. For our linen closet makeover, I used: Duvet Covers, Flat Sheets, Fitted Sheets, Pillow Cases, Primary Bath Towels, Pool Towels, Toilet Paper, Washcloths, Ironing Supplies, and Backstock Supplies. These categories were broad enough to cover my bases, but by all means, choose categories that make the most sense for your home.

 

four

 

Now all that’s left to do is organize and style. Make sure everything has its place, and try not to overcrowd the closet. As they say, less is more.

 

 

Shop The (Exact) Look

 

 

 

For more resources on shopping my style:

Shop my house here

Tour the original closet makeover

See my kitchen renovation before + after

See how Shira and I cut my kitchen storage in half

 

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