The Victorian House

Organizing the Linen Closet

Why do little closets take so long to work on!? I spent hours cleaning, purging, and organizing our linen closet yesterday.

And it looks better! Not amazing, but far better. And I’m definitely enjoying not walking around two full laundry baskets of bedding and towels that had become semi-permanent fixtures in the hallway.

Before and After Linen Closet Organization

Before I started, I looked at the space and thought ‘clearly, I need to take a trip to The Container Store for beautiful bins and baskets.’ Because of course that’s how my mind works. I already had wire baskets leftover from our old IKEA Expedits though, so I added those to the closet.

Pink Craft Room, Making it Lovely (Pink Loves Brown)

I went to find them on the site to link, and the newer versions (for Kallax, which replaced the Expedit) are far more stylish! Not helping curb the desire to buy new organizational stuff — even if they do serve the exact same function.

IKEA Kallax Shelves

IKEA Expedit Wire Baskets

Meh.

This linen closet makeover by Megan Pflug for One Kings Lane is one of my all-time favorites.

Megan Pflug Linen Closet Makeover for One Kings Lane, Photo by Lesley Unruh

Detail from Megan Pflug Linen Closet Makeover for One Kings Lane, Photo by Lesley Unruh

Way to make my closet look like crap in comparison, Megan. (I kid. She’s the best.)

But it begs the question: I have to wallpaper another closet in our house now, don’t I? Or break a paint brush out at the very least. Add this one to the 2018 project list.

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  • Van Winkle Home
    January 16, 2018 at 2:46 pm

    Love that nailhead trim detail! I’m looking around my house thinking…crap, all our shelves are wire!- Put some on the open shelving in the kitchen? Too much? lol

    • Making it Lovely
      January 16, 2018 at 3:36 pm

      The nailhead detail is so good! I want to use it too.

  • Brianne Tomlin
    January 16, 2018 at 3:29 pm

    Question for you on those new hanging baskets for Kallax. I was charmed by them in the store as well, but I noticed they clip behind the back of the shelf which you could only really do if you have an open back on the unit. Are the expedit ones the same and you somehow hacked? or do you know of a way to address them. I’m inspired by this to organize my own linen closet and really want an excuse to buy those gold hanging shelves!

    • Making it Lovely
      January 16, 2018 at 3:36 pm

      I didn’t noticed that little clip! I haven’t seen them in person, but I looked at the assembly instructions PDF and I think you could just slip these over a shelf and not use the clip in the back. The ones I have just slide on and I assumed these were similar.

  • Lauralou
    January 16, 2018 at 4:21 pm

    I think you should wallpaper the back. Also, can you spray paint the black wire baskets with gold paint? It’s a closet, so really, no one will be examining them closely, but you’ll still get that gold look when you open the door. Whatever you do, I know it will look amazing.

  • bkw7401
    January 16, 2018 at 5:22 pm

    I copied a project that I saw somewhere in a cabinet with glass doors. I cut foam board to the size between the shelves. I covered it with fabric, but I think paper could also work. Then I fitted the covered foam board in the space between the shelves. It also will make it easy if I want to change it. I also love the nail heads and may have to copy that.

  • Jeannine
    January 16, 2018 at 8:20 pm

    I’m adding a makeover to my linen closet this year, too. It’s not one of those “emergencies” at the very top of the list but it’s on there as something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time. These little details always seem to get pushed to the bottom of my list for more important projects. I’m getting fed up with being frustrated and feeling like I’m wresting an alligator every time I have to find something in that no man’s land abyss. You’ve inspired me, doing it this year!

  • Peggi
    January 17, 2018 at 6:28 am

    Ha! I have that same closet project pinned- so beautiful! Thinking about organizing my linen closet makes me sleepy…

  • Linda Moore
    January 17, 2018 at 3:21 pm

    Love the idea of wallpaper at the back but would be a waste in my linen closet as you really can’t see the back wall at all. I organized it last year and it is still holding.