Creating an Attractive and Functional Built-In Linen Closet on a Budget

here’s simply no denying that an organized home is a happy home! Which usually means having a dedicated space for each and every item that you own. That includes your linens and having a designated spot where you can fold up all of your sheets, pillow cases, and towels to ensure they stay organized. 

This not only helps you to keep things tidy, but can save a lot of unwanted headaches when it comes to finding the things you need.

Creating an attractive and functional built-in linen closet may be at the top of your priorities list because of this. And while it’s always great to have a bigger budget to work with, sometimes accomplishing your dream linen closet is something that needs to be done on a budget.

The great news is that having a certain budget doesn’t mean you can’t have a built-in linen closet that’s not only functional but looks great too! We have tons of fantastic tips you can use to achieve the perfect storage space for all of your precious linens.

We’ve got tons of great advice for creating a built-in linen closet that’s both beautiful and functional. Let’s get started.

Empty it all out

The first thing you want to do is remove everything from your linen closet. This gives you the chance to get rid of what you don’t need and see what else you have left to store.

A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used it in the last year then it can probably go. Get rid of as much as you can so you can be sure you’re only storing the things you really need.

Make it pretty

Don’t be shy when it comes to having a bit of fun with your built-in linen closet. It could be time for a fresh coat of paint, some wallpaper, or even a new design of the structure of the closet itself. Doing so can help your linen closet to feel like a much happier and more functional space that you’re going to be a lot more excited to see and use every day.

Make use of door storage

Many people forget that the back of your linen closet door is actually a great place for storage! You might add an over the door organizer with plenty of pockets to store some of your smaller items. This storage doesn’t just need to be for linens either. You can store things like shoes or even toiletries.

Utilize clear containers

Clear containers are awesome for helping to keep your linens organized. They’re particularly great because you’ll be able to see what’s in them!

Clear containers are usually best for your smaller items like toiletries or even wash cloths. Anything loose that you want to keep organized can definitely go here.

Invest in canvas bins

Large canvas bins are a great investment for your built-in linen closet as they can hold all of your towels and bedding. They’re sure to fit in your linen closet nicely without being an eyesore.

Forget the stacks of towels and other items that only fall over. Bins will keep things organized and keep your linen closet looking fresh too.

Add smaller bins

Small items require smaller bins. All of those little things you need to store like medicine bottles and band aids can become a big mess quickly if you’re not careful. Smaller bins or even boxes can provide a new home for these smaller items and will pretty much guarantee you’ll know where to find the things you need. 

Create designated spots for all items

As we mentioned, each and every thing you plan to store in your linen closet should have a specific spot. If you know exactly where to put something it’s a lot more likely that it will end up there. Therefore, keeping your closet much more organized and attractive. 

Consider adjustable shelves

Things are bound to change over time. You might have kids and need to store more things, or you might declutter and suddenly have lots of extra space. Whatever the reason for change may be, it’s a good idea to make your built-in linen closet so that it’s adaptable. That’s why adjustable shelves are such a great investment.

Your built-in linen closet can lose its initial organization quickly if not done right. You want to keep your towels and bedsheets right where you can see them as these are the items you’re likely going to be reaching for most. 

To help you, here are some tips for storing and organizing a few of the specific items that are likely to end up in your linen closet!

Sheets

A great hack for storing your bed sheets is to put them in their matching pillowcases. This will keep them all together. Not to mention how hard it can be to fold bed sheets perfectly.

The pillowcases provide a nice “case” to keep your sheets enclosed.

Towels

Bulky towels can be hard to fold and store properly. It’s usually best to fold your towels into thirds lengthwise. From there you can fold them into a rectangle and place them on your shelves at eye level.

If you need to save space then you might consider rolling up your towels instead!

Toiletries

As we mentioned earlier, small things require small storage. Invest in smaller drawers or consider buying smaller bins and baskets to help store your smaller objects with ease.

Dining linens

You want your nicer dining linens to stay crisp and clean which is why it’s usually best to fold them and hang them. This will help to keep them from creasing.

If you need to you can always fold the flat and stack them on a lined shelf with tissue paper. Be careful with them so you don’t end up snagging the material.

There are so many easy ways to improve the organization of your built-in linen closet. It’s not something that needs to break the bank either. 

We’ll leave you with some of our best linen closet organization tips so you can really ensure your built-in linen closet is going to be a success.

Edit what you store

Figure out what you have and then take the time to get rid of things you don’t need. Once you’ve edited what you choose to store it’ll be a lot easier to keep it organized. If you don’t use something or if it’s damaged or stained then that’s likely a good indication that you can get rid of it.

Organize from top to bottom

Try organizing your linen closet from top to bottom. Bulkier items can go on the lower shelves and things like bed linens can go on the middle shelves. These are the items that are more likely to slip so you want it to be easy to place them.

Make use of labels

We love the idea of using labels in your linen closet. Especially if you have a lot to store.

Labels will help you to know where each item needs to go and will also help when it comes to others trying to find things as well. Labels are sure to help you feel more organized than ever!

Learn how to fold properly

The neatest and most attractive linen closets have items inside that are folded correctly. The goal is to fold things consistently so that your stacks and piles stay extra clean looking.

Add things vertically

If you have drawers to fill then you might consider folding your linens and stacking them vertically. This will help you to see all of the items you have and pull from them easily. There’s nothing quite as daunting as needing something from the bottom of one of your stacks. This helps to solve that common problem.

Organize by room

Categorize your items and put them together based on the rooms you’ll be using them in. Bathroom linens can all go together and bedroom linens as well.

You might also organize things by each person in your home so they know where to go when it comes time to grab a fresh towel or set of sheets.

If you’re thinking about building a new custom linen closet, or if you’re thinking about transforming an existing space into one, you need JB Closets on your side! 

After all, the process behind creating the perfect built-in closet might feel somewhat overwhelming, especially if you’re on a budget. We work with our clients to come up with the best solution for their needs and their unique situation. Oftentimes that means working within a budget – we’re experts at that too! 

Our team is excited to help bring your vision to life and create the perfect linen closet. You’ll not only stay organized, but will have a stylish new addition to your home as well. Learn more about our Treasure Coast closet design services here.