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Creating a Custom Linen Closet

Anthony Cuomo • Nov 25, 2014

Most linen closets are in a bathroom or in an adjacent hallway, but what about those that have no linen closet built in at all? If you are lacking storage space in this area, you might be able to improvise by storing sheets in each person’s bedroom, towels under the bathroom sink and extra pillows on a shelf in your master bedroom closet.

On the other hand, you might decide that you really need a dedicated linen closet or other storage area in order to hold these items. If you are in this situation, here is a way to make some space that you didn't think you had:

Professionally Designed Linen Closets

Figure out where you can fit a piece of furniture that will function as a linen closet
This might be a chest of drawers, a large cabinet, or both. At first glance, you might think that you have no room for this sort of thing in your home, but in many cases, room can be made. First, think about your bathroom. Is every area being used? What about over the toilet? You might be able to fit a shelving system or cabinet on the wall there. If there is a way to fit an armoire or a chest of drawers in your bathroom, then you’re definitely ahead of the game! How about at the end of a hallway? If it won’t block any doors from swinging open or closed, a shallow cabinet might work in this location. Finally, don’t rule out a bedroom near the bathroom or even a section of your kitchen or laundry room. If you have no other options, these will work.

Go shopping for the appropriate furniture
Some might consider this the fun part! Measure the area that you have to fit your new “closet,” and go scouting at furniture stores, discount stores, home stores, antique stores and garage sales. If your goal is to save money, then consider even older, run-down pieces. You can always stain or paint them, after all. What you are looking for could range from cabinets that you will hang on the wall, a dresser that will simply function as is, or maybe an armoire, which has both a cabinet and drawers. You could also stack a cabinet on top of a chest of drawers if you need the space.

Make liberal use of accessories
While you could probably use any cabinet as a linen closet, accessories such as over-the-door racks, pull-out shelves and bins and baskets can keep everything organized. If you are using drawers to store items like washcloths and extra bottles of shampoo, use drawer organizers to keep everything separated. You can also use closet accessories in the cabinets under your bathroom sink to add even more space. If you are using part of your kitchen pantry or part of a bedroom closet to hold your linens, organizational accessories are even more important, as you want to keep bathroom items separate from food items or clothing if possible.

Finally, congratulate yourself on finding space where you thought there was none! You have discovered that a good storage system is more a product of excellent organization and depends less on having an excess of space available. Using every inch of space available is a great way to take advantage of what your home offers.

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