3 free and functional ways I turned around my frustrating, tiny linen closet storage

So far as frustrating home storage goes, my linen closet usually makes me want to tear my hair out. It is tiny, impractical, and consists of four flimsy plastic drawers squashed underneath the boiler in my bathroom.

Pulling out towels was like engaging in a tug-of-war, and finding a new bottle of body wash was akin to digging for gold – something had to give.

So, not wanting to spend any money, I decided to experiment with free ways to transform my small linen closet storage, and was seriously surprised at just how much added functionality I could work in without spending a cent.

The free ways I organized my linen closet storage

Organizing a linen closet doesn’t need to cost the earth. While matching bins and baskets certainly look nice, they simply were not an option in my cramped space. In order to organize my home without spending any money, I had to get creative, with folding tricks and clever repurposing, finally fixing my frustration.

1. Forget folding

Much like organizing a closet without buying anything, the first step in sorting a bathroom closet was to perfect folding, or in this case, switching to rolling.

Although I usually swear by file folding for tidying deep drawers, towels are simply too bulky to be stacked neatly in filmy plastic pull-outs. Rolling towels, on the other hand, compacted these bulky essentials down far more, allowing me to squeeze more into a tighter space.

While I only have enough towels for my household, for those with larger collections, vacuum storage bags, available at Amazon can be a good way to reduce the storage footprint of lesser-used towels but still keep them easily accessible.

Barbara Brock, professional organizer at Barbara Brock Inc., shares, ‘I personally use vacuum bags to hold my guest linens that are only to be used when I have guests. The bag stays in the guest room, either located on a high shelf or under the bed. These storage bags can be stacked on top of each other and put into an out-of-the-way cabinet, under the bed, or on a shelf.’

2. Repurpose packaging

I am always looking for smart ways to reduce unnecessary waste at home, and packaging is by far the most practical.

Although aspiring to have perfectly aesthetic storage ideas is admirable, for behind-the-scenes storage that guests do not see, reuse sturdy boxes from gifts or deliveries as they make perfect dividers for drawers that otherwise lack structural integrity.

I find them most useful for keeping smaller items together (such as packs of cotton swabs, band-aids, and extra floss) and stopping them from getting lost under piles of spare body care products.

This eco-friendly organizing tip is a fantastic alternative to spending on traditional drawer dividers. However, if you are looking to invest in bathroom storage and would prefer a prettier approach, that's doable too.

Shaniece Jones, professional organizer, declutter expert, and founder of Closet Therapy, shares, ‘Bamboo drawer dividers, such as The Container Store Deep Drawer Dividers, are another one of those small investments that instantly change the game.

'I’ve used them to organize everything from undergarments and bras to baby diapers, clutch bags, and socks. They are the best alternative to custom drawer inserts. Think of them as the divided plate of the organizing world.’

3. Add fragrance

The one downside to packing a lot into a very small storage area is the risk of reduced ventilation. As a result, linens such as towels can start to smell a little musty over time – especially in a bathroom prone to high humidity.

So, besides ensuring things weren’t packed in too tightly, I added in a little fragrance too, making my own scented drawer liners. Instead of making lavender sachets and having to buy dried lavender, I opted for some essential oils I already had at home.

Mix one drop of essential oils with 50ml of water and spritz over some thick wrapping paper. The paper needs to be misted until it is slightly damp but not falling apart, before being left to fully dry. Once cut to size, this can then be laid in the base of the drawer to gently fragrance your towels.

Can’t be bothered with the effort? I don’t blame you. To save time, you can buy affordable scented drawer liners in a fresh lavender scent from Etsyand support a small business at the same time.

Alternatively, if you want to protect your linen cabinet from potential silverfish infestations, Jade Piper, operations manager at BetterCleans, suggests using cedar blocks, available at Walmart.

Jade explains, ‘Beyond the nice scent, cedar repels pests. Drop some into your drawers or place them near your hamper if it tends to get humid. Refresh every few months with a bit of cedar oil if the scent fades.’

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Meet the experts

Barbara Brock

With a background in interior design, Barbara began professionally organizing in 2001, and now impressively holds two patents for award-winning makeup organizing products. Her motto? 'Be organized. Be beautiful.'

Shaniece Jones

Shaniece Jones is a closet organization and declutter expert who brings her background as a Scientist, stylist, and mental wellness advocate to help clients create new habits, implement new systems, and get to the root of their clutter.

When trying to organize your bathroom on a budget, one of the most practical tricks is to work through a bathroom decluttering checklist first, getting rid of items and making space for the essentials.