Organizing the Linen Closet

Have I ever told you how susceptible I am to marketing?

It’s true, when I was in University there was an infomercial for “Breast enlargement cream” (that was waaaaay back when I stayed up past 8pm). At that time, women aspired to Pamela Anderson’s chest size in the same way women now want a Kardashian butt. My nickname in highschool was “two-by-four” because of my un-Pamela-like chest size, so clearly I needed/bought the miracle cream.

Didn’t work of course. Neither did the pressure washer you attach to your hose, the bags that you attach to your vacuüm so you can suck the air out and compress clothing for storage, Sun-In, eyeliner tattoos, the thing that melts the plastic so you can keep potato chips fresh, the hair growth shampoo… you get the idea.

I appreciate a great photo, an excited commentary and/or a witty message.

That’s why it was time for organizing the linen closet.

I know – “WTF?!”

One of my favourite bloggers (Kelley Nan) purged and organized her linen closets the other day and the photos along with her excitement sold me.

It doesn’t take much folks.

My linen closets weren’t terrible really, but a purge and a bit of organizing were in order.

The above photo is of the small closet where I keep the girls’ bedding and towels – as well as anything else I can’t find a space for.

I pulled everything out and weeded out items I haven’t used in the last year like crib bedding, unused quilts etc.

I found a few baby blankets that I made and/or were given to the girls as babies and I wanted to keep them – so I implemented Kelley Nan’s “rolls” for organizing the linen closet.

I pared down the number of duvet sets and packaged them up with the sheets and pillow cases all folded inside of the duvet cover. When it’s time to change the bedding, all I have to do is grab one bundle and everything is there.

One shelf is for queen bedding, one for twin and the top shelf houses the blanket rolls and extra comforters.

Mattress pads and bed skirts below and towels and bath mats were relegated to the floor until I have the time to add another shelf.

By organizing the linen closet I am now able to see what we have, what we need, and I was able to remove three bags worth of linens that are ready to donate.

I decided organizing the linen closet in our master bedroom was in order as well:

King-size duvets take up a bit more room and with the fitted sheet and pillow cases etc. tucked inside they are pretty thick. Because of this, I decided I’d only keep 6 duvet sets for our master bed – just enough to fill one shelf. (I know, 6 sets is crazy, but I LOVE bedding)

The top shelf houses our super-puffy bathrobes which we only use for the hot tub (which is presently broken) and a few quilt rolls.

The bottom shelf holds a mattress pad and one of those vacuum-suction-bags that I mentioned earlier – with a king-size duvet in it. (so maybe one of the 6 bags I bought worked).

The floor holds extra throw pillows, my pre-menopausal fan and extra decor items.