Transforming a Small, Cluttered Linen Closet: 3 Economical and Practical Strategies
In a small, impractical linen closet located beneath the boiler in a bathroom, organizing without spending a fortune was achieved through creative methods and repurposing items.
- Rolling towels instead of folding them is a space-saving trick that compactly stores bulky towels, allowing more items to fit snugly.
- Repurposing baskets, bins, or cloth bags you already own can help corral smaller items like toilet paper or cleaning supplies, keeping them contained and neat.
- Utilizing over-the-door organizers or racks can create extra storage on the door for small items or cleaning products, freeing shelf space.
- Grouping and storing similar items together makes navigation easier and visually reduces clutter. Clear zipper bags from home can be used for bulkier items like blankets or quilts for visibility and neatness.
- Maximizing vertical space creatively is essential, including floor space inside the closet for baskets or containers and top shelves for less-used linens.
- Color-coordinating linens or grouping like items can make navigation easier and visually reduce clutter without extra expense.
These techniques emphasize better folding/rolling methods, repurposing household containers, and maximizing vertical and door space—all possible without purchasing new storage products, thus saving money and reducing clutter effectively. Vacuum storage bags can help if you want to compress seldom-used linens but might require purchase; rolling is a zero-cost alternative.
Professional organizer Barbara Brock, with a background in interior design, emphasizes the importance of working through a bathroom decluttering checklist before organizing on a budget. Shaniece Jones, a professional organizer and founder of Closet Therapy, recommends bamboo drawer dividers for organizing various items.
For shallow bathroom drawers, affordable bamboo baskets can help restore order for under $10. Cedar blocks, available at Walmart, can help prevent potential silverfish infestations in linen cabinets by repelling pests.
To combat musty smells, homemade scented drawer liners can be made by mixing one drop of essential oils with 50ml of water and spritzing over thick wrapping paper. Alternatively, affordable scented drawer liners in a fresh lavender scent can be purchased from Etsy. Drawer liners can be used in any storage nook around the home to help ward off musty smells.
Always remember to keep medication locked in a secure lock box, especially if you have children or pets, to avoid accidental poisoning.
By implementing these creative and budget-friendly organizing tips, you can transform a small, impractical linen closet into a well-organized and functional storage space.
- Learning from professional organizers like Barbara Brock, who has a background in interior design, one can apply minimalist interior design principles to bathroom storage, such as color-coordinating linens or grouping like items together.
- Repurposing household items, as recommended by Shaniece Jones, like bamboo baskets or cedar blocks, can help declutter and organize a bathroom space affordably while also providing functional benefits like pest control or avoiding musty odors.
