How to organise your linen cupboard the right way, according to an expert
Linen closets can easily turn into the place you shove random things you don't have room for anywhere else.
Whether it be towels, sheets, extra toiletries, ?cleaning supplies or just random items, it's easy for things to stack up in storage until the point of overwhelm.
However, it's not the actual items shoved inside the closet that's the problem; it's the way the linen closet is organised, according to an expert.
Professional organiser Mary Cornetta told Better Homes & Gardens US ?that zoning is the all-important factor when it comes to the linen closet.
She says by "dividing your closet into intentional sections based on what you use and how often, you can finally turn a chaotic linen closet into a streamlined, easy-to-maintain storage space."
?The first step to figuring out your linen closet is to pull everything out. Have a spot ready to put everything before you start.
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Cornetta said that ?"by getting everything out of the closet, you have a clear view of everything that's been living in it."
As you pull things out, sort them into rough sections like towels, bedding and ?seasonal items.
You'll start seeing which items are necessary and which don't belong in the closet.
Create zones by use ?
?Cornetta said one big mistake people make is grouping everything together by item type, rather than thinking about things like how often you use them.
"Yes, all your sheet sets belong together, but should your everyday sheets live next to holiday-themed or guest bedding? Probably not," she said. ?
Instead, your most used items should be placed at eye level.
The "prime real estate" shelf should be reserved for things you use on a daily basis, ?including things like bath towels, face towels and hand towels.
Your next most used ?items, belong on the upper middle shelves, like bed sheets (per season) and guest towels, and spare pillowcases and guest sheets.
If you change your sheets often, you can place them on the daily use shelf.
The top shelf should be used to store bulky items like spare duvets, blankets, decorative pillows and out-of-season sheets, for example, winter sheets in summer.
The lower shelf should be for toiletries, where storage bins make all the difference.
?"Use containers to group items such as extra shampoo, toothpaste, body wash, trial-size toiletries, and first-aid supplies," Cornetta said.
"Storing these on a lower shelf makes heavier things safer to lift while also giving them a designated home."
Extra floor space should be reserved for heavy or awkwardly shaped items, like spare packs of toilet paper and cleaning products. ?
Folding makes all the difference ?
Once you've established zones, make the most of the space by folding and stacking "the right way".
?"Instead of folding sheets individually and stacking them horizontally, try to keep each set together," she said.
She suggested the bag method จC fold the fitted sheet, flat sheet and all pillow cases ?except one, and then slide the sheets into the spare pillowcase.
You can also purchase sheet organisers.
?Towels should be folded and separated by type, with small towels in a storage container or basket.
Folding or rolling ?towels are both okay; it just depends on your preference, but consistency is key.
Keep small items in containers ?
Small items can get lost, so popping them into a basket or container is a good way to keep track of them.
Cornetta also suggested using bins or turntables to store things like travel toiletries.
?She also suggested an "over-the-door" organiser on the inside of the linen closet.
Label as much as you can
?Labelling your new zones is super important because it means everyone in the home can follow the system.
Although it may be tricky to do in a small space, it's not impossible.
"?If your baskets don't include a space to label, use a bin clip," Cornetta said.
"They also make shelf clips that attach directly to the part of the shelf facing you."
"Get creative if you have to, because labels help every household member understand where things are and where they can be returned."
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