Organizing Your Linen Closet

Purge and Prepare

"We actually use 20 percent of what we own 80 percent of the time," says Betsy Peterson, a professional organizer and owner of Space and Time, in Oak Ridge, Tenn. "That's not to say that you should get rid of everything, but that's how you can best approach how to organize a closet."

First, identify what you need to store in your linen closet. Peterson recommends categorizing items during your sort, and donating items you're not using. For larger items, she advises homeowners to "think outside the closet." Remember that "just because it's a pillow doesn't mean it has to go in the linen closet."

After you know what's going into the closet, wipe the shelves with a damp cloth or sponge and wait until dry before lining them. Unbuffered acid-free tissue paper is great for linen storage because it doesn't discolor fabrics over time. Lay some over shelves or wrap antique linens to prevent yellowing.