How to Store Household Linen (However Little Space You Have)
From stolen corner to dedicated cupboard, giving linen a permanent home makes sense – and is easier than you might think
Household duvets, sheets, pillows and towels can place quite a toll on the storage regime in the average home. It’s not only about where, but also about how best to store these bulky items. Every centimetre counts and, in some cases, smaller really can be more beautiful.
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This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Borrow from the bedroom
If you lack space for a central closet, store linen for each bedroom on a room-by-room basis.
Make space in the upper shelves of a wardrobe or, where space permits, add a simple cabinet.
No walk-in? No problem: 10 clothes storage ideas for petite rooms
If you lack space for a central closet, store linen for each bedroom on a room-by-room basis.
Make space in the upper shelves of a wardrobe or, where space permits, add a simple cabinet.
No walk-in? No problem: 10 clothes storage ideas for petite rooms
Slide under the bed
Where space is tight, under-bed drawers will exploit valuable cubic centimetres for stowing linen or out-of-season clothing.
It will get dusty, so protect your possessions with dust sheets or vacuum bags.
Where space is tight, under-bed drawers will exploit valuable cubic centimetres for stowing linen or out-of-season clothing.
It will get dusty, so protect your possessions with dust sheets or vacuum bags.
Cosy up to the hot-water cylinder
Traditionally, household linen is kept in the cupboard containing the hot-water cylinder, typically located on the first-floor landing.
If you have an airing cupboard, exploit every centimetre to best advantage by fitting shelves with just 25cm clear vertically between each; you’ll squeeze in more linen than you would with shelves spaced farther apart.
Your piles of linen will also be shallower, making items at the bottom easier to access. And you’ll avoid stacks of towels and sheets toppling over whenever you want to retrieve an item.
Traditionally, household linen is kept in the cupboard containing the hot-water cylinder, typically located on the first-floor landing.
If you have an airing cupboard, exploit every centimetre to best advantage by fitting shelves with just 25cm clear vertically between each; you’ll squeeze in more linen than you would with shelves spaced farther apart.
Your piles of linen will also be shallower, making items at the bottom easier to access. And you’ll avoid stacks of towels and sheets toppling over whenever you want to retrieve an item.
Create a cupboard from scratch
If you’re planning a new home or redesigning significantly, try to leave space for a dedicated closet, preferably located off a landing or bedroom corridor.
Shelves just 45cm deep would be ideal, again spaced with 25cm clear between each.
If you’d like a walk-in closet, allow a minimum of 70cm in front of the shelves for passage. Otherwise, tall doors, reaching from floor to ceiling, will allow good access to the whole space. Make sure everything has a home, with rarely used or out-of-season items on the uppermost shelves.
If you’re planning a new home or redesigning significantly, try to leave space for a dedicated closet, preferably located off a landing or bedroom corridor.
Shelves just 45cm deep would be ideal, again spaced with 25cm clear between each.
If you’d like a walk-in closet, allow a minimum of 70cm in front of the shelves for passage. Otherwise, tall doors, reaching from floor to ceiling, will allow good access to the whole space. Make sure everything has a home, with rarely used or out-of-season items on the uppermost shelves.
Panel an alcove
A recess in the bathroom is another useful spot for hiding bathroom linen, and even bedding, if there’s space.
Full-height doors that conceal all the shelves will still allow good access, but take away the pressure of having to keep your linen in good order.
A recess in the bathroom is another useful spot for hiding bathroom linen, and even bedding, if there’s space.
Full-height doors that conceal all the shelves will still allow good access, but take away the pressure of having to keep your linen in good order.
Delve into drawers
Drawers will work well in a deeper closet, making even items at the very back accessible.
Add LED strips to shed light on your linen and make it easier to organise and retrieve.
Find a contractor to help with your project in the Houzz Professionals Directory
Drawers will work well in a deeper closet, making even items at the very back accessible.
Add LED strips to shed light on your linen and make it easier to organise and retrieve.
Find a contractor to help with your project in the Houzz Professionals Directory
Acquire a cabinet
The first floor landing or a corner of a large bathroom is a great place to locate a stand-alone linen cabinet.
Choose between open shelving, cupboards or drawers as suits your space and needs.
The first floor landing or a corner of a large bathroom is a great place to locate a stand-alone linen cabinet.
Choose between open shelving, cupboards or drawers as suits your space and needs.
Use the utility
Add shelves to the upper reaches of a utility cupboard or, as in this example, a small utility room, to niftily store linen as it’s laundered. Baskets will help with organisation.
10 ways to add kitchen storage without completely renovating
Add shelves to the upper reaches of a utility cupboard or, as in this example, a small utility room, to niftily store linen as it’s laundered. Baskets will help with organisation.
10 ways to add kitchen storage without completely renovating
Exploit the eaves
Make best use of otherwise dead eaves space with baskets and tubs for linen that slot in neatly.
Loft rooms are typically one of the warmer spaces, so your linen should stay fresh as well as easily accessible.
Tell us…
What are your tips (or frustrations!) with storing linen in your home? Share all in the Comments section.
Make best use of otherwise dead eaves space with baskets and tubs for linen that slot in neatly.
Loft rooms are typically one of the warmer spaces, so your linen should stay fresh as well as easily accessible.
Tell us…
What are your tips (or frustrations!) with storing linen in your home? Share all in the Comments section.
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Press any leftover space in the bathroom into use by creating open shelves for towels and bath sheets – even a narrow unit like this one can hold a surprising amount.
Fold your towels to suit whatever sized space is available, with the folded edge facing outwards for maximum calm and order.
A good ventilation system in the room will address any potential issues with moisture from the shower and bath.