Linen Closet Organization

Linen closets.  They can be a thorn in your side or a super useful space.  Mine has been the former  because I have not organized it properly at all.  It's a really great space that is original to the house.  It's located downstairs in the main hallway leading to the original 2 bedrooms (now they are the kid's bedrooms).  

Enough about the problem.  Onto the solution!

The biggest thing I have learned with organizing is that you really have to spend time thinking through the space/area and determine what you want the outcome to be.  In this case, I wanted the outcome to be a functional, usable space for kid's and guest linens.  The bottom drawers will be used for household supplies (lightbulbs, indoor toolkit, batteries, sewing kit).  

The before pictures.  Would it be possible to cram anything else in here?  SERIOUSLY!

I cleaned out all the items and made 3 piles:

1. Give away/donate
2. Put back in
3. Put somewhere else

Since we were snowed in or rather I didn't want to venture out in the snow, I did this on a $0 budget.  I found the storage baskets, scrapbook paper, and stackable storage items around the house.

Linen Closet contents:

• kid's sheets and mattress pads
• yucky towels (i.e. everything but nice towels)
• guest linens 
• extra blankets
• toilet paper

Top drawer

Bottom drawer

That, my friends, is a total transformation of this space!  It went from a crammed, unusable space to a lovely, organized and functional space.  My husband's favorite part were the drawers.  Organizing all of that chaos even speaks to a man's heart:) 

Next project: upstairs linen closet space...

 

Linen Closet Preview

This is what I have been up to today...

Pretty drastic, right?  Budget: $0.

I love how this one turned out!  Details coming on the blog later this week.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

 

Call to Order: Mudroom Edition

Last year, I created a mudroom out of a small corner area between the 2 kid bedrooms {see that post here}.  That space functioned relatively well until my oldest child started kindergarten.  Nothing, and I mean nothing, could prepare me for the amount of paper/artwork/items that come home each week. I tried organizing the papers in the pantry (odd I know), then in a cabinet in the kitchen, then in her room, on and on.  Nothing was working.  

Then I took another look at this little corner.  What about all that wasted vertical space?  So I started researching storage cabinets on IKEA and didn't find anything that I loved.  I also didn't want to over-organize the space and cut into the walkway area.  It's a main thorough fare of the house.  

Introducing the new mudroom area...

I love how it turned out!

Favorite parts in no particular order:

• Place for loose papers to go underneath the bench (usually artwork)
• Hooks for backpacks
• Place to put on shoes
• Place for library books, folders, etc.
• Chalkboard to teach weekly Scripture verses

Here is a quick how-to make your own mudroom type of space in whatever little nook or cranny you have. 

I found most of my supplies at Michaels.  They are carrying a new line called "Make Market" and it's 30% off right now!  It's ADORABLE.  Very versatile.  LOVE IT.  Check it out here.

DIY Valentine Printable for Kids

Just thought I would post a quick Valentine's idea in case you operate in the last-minute-need-to-get-this-done mentality like me:)

Materials needed:

• color printer
• stapler
• small plastic bags
• scissors
• skittles
• pencil 
• child with a willing heart to write in the TO and FROM 

Source:  SimplyKierste.com