Storage Dilemma: Where Do I Stash the Linens?
Rethinking where you keep your extra sheets, towels, pillows and more could free up valuable space elsewhere
All those extra sets of sheets, stacks of towels, and the pillows and quilts you need on hand for when guests come to stay can take up a lot of space if you let them – but take a fresh look at your storage approach and you may find there’s a better way. The first step could be to split up where you store the supplies for guests, the towels, bathmats and hand towels you use in the bathroom, and the sheets for each bedroom. Take a look at these smart strategies to see how you could do things differently at your house.
Colourful quilts or throw rugs stacked in a repurposed, rustic cabinet can add character galore, too, and what a perfect excuse to acquire a few of them! The doors on this cabinet have been removed – all the better to easily access the quilts on chilly evenings in front of the fire or TV. If you have young children or grandchildren, don’t be surprised if they see the quilts as fine ingredients for a cubby house.
In the guest room
If you have a spare room, or a bedroom you’ve turned into a home office, the built-in closet can often become a place where little-used odds and sods congregate. A set-up like this could be a far better use of the space.
If you have a spare room, or a bedroom you’ve turned into a home office, the built-in closet can often become a place where little-used odds and sods congregate. A set-up like this could be a far better use of the space.
If you don’t have built-ins, consider adding an antique beauty like this one – it will give you extra storage for linen, and room for some character and personality, too.
In a linen cupboard that’s a cut above
If you have a linen closet in the hallway, like many homes do, adding pull-out drawers could make life a little easier – much more pleasant an experience than rummaging around trying to find that matching pillowcase with guests due to knock at the door at any second.
If you have a linen closet in the hallway, like many homes do, adding pull-out drawers could make life a little easier – much more pleasant an experience than rummaging around trying to find that matching pillowcase with guests due to knock at the door at any second.
Drawers and motion-activated lights? Now we’re just getting spoilt.
Think beyond the bathroom, laundry and hallway closet when you’re looking for linen storage alternatives. As long as sheets and towels are accessible to the bedrooms and bathroom, an entryway could be the place to accommodate them. No one need know what’s behind closed doors except you.
See more of this house
See more of this house
In the bedroom
It makes perfect sense to keep sheets where they’re to be used, don’t you think? If your home is on the small side, consider either storing sheets and towels in pull-out storage under the bed (lidded plastic storage bins on wheels are built for this purpose), or aim for more seamless storage with drawers designed for the bed itself. Changing the sheets would be a snap in this room.
Read more: How to Update Your Bed Linen for Hot and Balmy Nights
It makes perfect sense to keep sheets where they’re to be used, don’t you think? If your home is on the small side, consider either storing sheets and towels in pull-out storage under the bed (lidded plastic storage bins on wheels are built for this purpose), or aim for more seamless storage with drawers designed for the bed itself. Changing the sheets would be a snap in this room.
Read more: How to Update Your Bed Linen for Hot and Balmy Nights
A chest of drawers that doubles as a bedside table can be the place to stash extra sheets and pillowcases. Use the bottom drawer for linen and the top for your books and other bedside essentials.
Kids’ rooms are prime real estate for linen, too. Clothes as well as sheets and towels can find a home in the ample storage in this bedroom, and the built-in drawers and shelving create a window seat to boot.
Barcelona chair: Knoll
Barcelona chair: Knoll
Custom cabinetry
Oh, for a laundry that’s big enough to house all the linen and still have room to move. It may be more achievable than you think. According to Bella Life Style interior designer Natalie Fermoyle, this room is only 2m x 3m. “The custom cabinetry helps make the space look bigger by utilising every little bit of space for either work space or storage,” Fermoyle says. Although flat pack configurations can cost less, custom-built cabinetry can be a better option. With flat packs, you are less likely to be able to fill every bit of space because each component comes in a standard size, she explains.
Read more: 10 Wash-and-Wear Laundry Ideas That Go Easy on Your Back
Oh, for a laundry that’s big enough to house all the linen and still have room to move. It may be more achievable than you think. According to Bella Life Style interior designer Natalie Fermoyle, this room is only 2m x 3m. “The custom cabinetry helps make the space look bigger by utilising every little bit of space for either work space or storage,” Fermoyle says. Although flat pack configurations can cost less, custom-built cabinetry can be a better option. With flat packs, you are less likely to be able to fill every bit of space because each component comes in a standard size, she explains.
Read more: 10 Wash-and-Wear Laundry Ideas That Go Easy on Your Back
That space under the stairs is another prime opportunity for custom storage solutions. This sleek design could not only store tableware for meal times, but also all that bulky linen that needs a home.
YOUR SAY
Do you store your linen somewhere unexpected? Share your ideas in the Comments.
MORE
Make Your Bed and Lie in It: Baffling Bed Terms Demystified
High and Dry: 13 Questions to Help You Choose the Right Bath Towel
12 Decorating Tricks to Make Small Bathrooms Work Harder
Where Do You Store the Extra Loo Paper?
YOUR SAY
Do you store your linen somewhere unexpected? Share your ideas in the Comments.
MORE
Make Your Bed and Lie in It: Baffling Bed Terms Demystified
High and Dry: 13 Questions to Help You Choose the Right Bath Towel
12 Decorating Tricks to Make Small Bathrooms Work Harder
Where Do You Store the Extra Loo Paper?
Making a display of the extra bedding you keep for guests can be a great way to give the living room an elegant, yet homely touch. If you have lovely linen, why not enjoy it? Antique armoires as gorgeous as this one don’t come cheap, but a reproduction could add just as much charm to the room.