Linen Closet Makeover for Under $200

Is your linen closet out of control? Tackle this project in a weekend.
Free Image via Pixabay

Let’s face it: when it comes to general household organization and tidying, updating linen closets is near the end of the list for most people. But a tidy and clean linen closet is easy to achieve and puts the mind at ease.

If a linen closet makeover is on your “to do” list for 2023, keep reading for quick steps and techniques to reach the top tier of linen closet organization – all for less than $200! While the space may be small, its impact on your home – and sense of tranquility – is large. You may be surprised at how much better and more relaxed you feel once the task is completed.

Updating Linen Closets in 10 Simple Steps

Upgrading your linen closet can be an easy and pleasant task if you follow orderly steps – and don’t expect it all to be finished in one day. Take some time with the process in order to really reflect on what and how you use your items, and what might improve their overall organization and usefulness.

Below, we’ve laid out an easy-to-follow 10-step technique but let us know in the comments if you’ve found an easier – or additional – way to tackle the chaos.

Empty the closet space. Place clean fabric items on your bed to keep them contained before you start the sorting process. Immediately toss anything that is leaking, bulging or otherwise suspect. If you find evidence of pests, research how to control the problem yourself or call the experts before moving anything back into the closet.
Decide what should stay and what should go. Old, stained, bleached, or ripped towels, blankets, and sheets can be repurposed into rags or drop cloths, or given to your local animal shelter for bedding. If you’ve got sets of sheets for bed sizes that you don’t have anymore, consider donating them to shelters or secondhand shops. Also, read expiration dates on any toiletries, and properly discard of ones that are out-of-date or otherwise seem “off.” Remember to never combine toiletries, medications, or cleaning liquids in the same containers.
Organize your linens so that all sheet sets (including pillowcases) are together. If you’re really feeling fancy, you can even store your sheet set within a pillowcase! (If you’re confused about how to best fold a fitted sheet (and who isn’t?), check out Martha Stewart’s tips.) Fold or roll clean, matching towels neatly together. Stack like with like and move the items you use most often towards the front of the linen closet for easy access.
Clean and repair closet shelving, floors, and walls. Types of shelves for linen closets can vary, and include wood, composite board, and wire shelves – or a combination! Take a hard look at what you’ve got and consider if it works best for you and your items. Don’t forget that shelf liners are a quick and inexpensive way to stop items from slipping through wire shelves.
Decide whether to paint or paper walls and shelves. Experts recommend choosing a pale shade of paint to amplify light and give the look of a bigger space but go with what you like! Since linen closets are generally pretty small, you may be able to re-use some extra paint or wallpaper you have in your storage unit, garage or basement. If you decide to buy new wallpaper, there are a number of self-stick options on the market that make the task easier and more enjoyable than before.
Consider purchasing or building additional shelving to make your linen closet makeover have even more of an impact. Don’t worry if you’re not too handy. Shelves for linen closets can generally be installed quickly with a few brackets and wall anchors. Make them even more useful with a selection of vertical and/or horizontal shelf dividers. These low-priced items are key to a well-organized space, so purchase in a few sets if you haven’t already. The Container Store, Target and other big retailers all have a number of options to choose from.
Invest in cloth, glass, wicker, or plastic baskets and storage bins to corral smaller items. Check secondhand stores to find unique options and then break out the label maker! Hand towels, bath towels, extra toiletries, and even rolls of toilet paper can all look a lot more appealing in cute containers. Just remember to always use plastic bins for any liquid items and put anything that could be dangerous or poisonous up off of the floor and out of the reach of children and pets.
Take advantage of extra room. Kick your closet makeover into high gear with an over-the-door storage rack or organizer. You can also add hooks to the walls or the back of the door for any hanging items.
Add laundry room items to the mix. If your linen closet organization project results in unused space, consider moving your extra laundry soap, fabric softener, and stain remover into the area. Small bags for delicates, sewing kits, and even extra buttons can also be stored away in the linen closet. If you’re got the room, they can even hide your dirty clothes and dry-cleaning hampers.
Upgrade your stuff! Hopefully the cost-conscious upgrades above mean there’s money left over for the fun stuff. If so, now is the time to invest in some new items. Think about upgrading to all white towels or environmentally sustainable sheets. After all the work you did in step 2, you’ll know exactly what needs to be replaced or rejuvenated.

Home organizing can be overwhelming. But when you’re dealing with something as contained and manageable as a linen closet, small steps can result in large strides. And keep an eye on the bigger picture. Not only will all the ideas and items we listed above help keep your closet organized, they may spur you to better organization throughout your home.