Here's a quick little one or two hour task that will help you get your linen closet organized and ready for holiday entertaining. Make sure that you have a block of time that you can work on the linen closet. Depending on the size of the closet, it should take you about 1 to 2 hours of focused time to get it organized. Don't get side-tracked and work as fast as you can! Crank up the tunes and get busy!

 

1. Gather your tools:

2. Take a before photo and then start pulling items out of the linen closet, one at a time. As you pull an item out, evaluate whether it is Keep, Put Away, Give Away or Garbage. Put like items together. For example, tea towels with tea towels, table clothes with table clothes. If there is something stained or that you don't love, consider letting it go. The idea is to only keep stuff that you love and/or use. Also, notice how many of each item you have - do you really need 5 Christmas table-clothes? What about that bedspread from 1986? Do you really need these. When you find items that don't belong here, put them in the basket - don't get distracted by taking them somewhere.

 

3. As your pulling, make a note of items you will need ready for Holiday Entertaining. Does the table cloth need ironed? Make a note in your calendar for when you will do it. Need to replace the napkins? Again, make a note to replace them in plenty of time for the holiday. What about sheets for the guest bedroom? You were going to replace those this year? Make a note to get new ones and put the other one in the garage/oil rags box. Another great tip that I use: I like getting practical gifts but never remember what to tell parents & in-laws when they ask what I'd like for Christmas. We often joke about having a wedding shower again after 10 years of marriage. Well, why not let people get you some pretty new linen for Christmas? I certainly don't mind it and it's a great practical gift they can give you for Christmas. Make a little list of items that you need and pass it on to those who ask you what you'd like for Christmas!

 

4. Now that you have your neat stacks of like items, evaluate the kind of spacing you have in your closet for these. Do a double-check and reevaluate whether you really need all of those dish-clothes? :) Are there items that you access all the time? Those get put back at the easiest spot to reach. Put the most commonly used items on top/in front on the shelf that is easiest for you to get to. Continue doing that, putting least used items in the least convenient space.

 

5. Take the donation box right to the car, ready to be donated tomorrow.

 

6. Put the items in the laundry basket where they belong - right now! - don't wait!

 

7. Take the garbage items to the garbage!

 

8. Put the rag box/bag in the garage or whereever it belongs.

 

9. Take and after picture and then have a warm tea or whatever and enjoy your accomplishments - check out those pictures! Isn't it amazing what you could do in such a short time! :) Pat yourself on the back!

 

We have videos below of our Bathroom & Linen Closets if you'd like to get inspired. If you need help getting started, we can help you do your own Linen closet with one of our Mini-Sessions ($77 for both of us for 1 hour at your house) Click Here for more information!