Narrow linen closet storage is great but can be a challenge to organize. You can see everything at a glance, and nothing is hidden, but when you look for store storage options, you need to have exact measurements to ensure the item fits properly. It's a hassle to deal with this detailed step, but it can be done. Here is how I found items for my narrow linen closet.
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Tips on how to organize a narrow linen closet
First, I measured the depth of the shelf. My shelves (Affiliate Link) were 9 inches deep. This was a good measurement since the shelves (Affiliate Link) fit and the doors closed properly.
Then, I measured the width of the shelf to see how many bins I could use on the shelf. I took this number with me so if I found a bin that worked, I could read the label (Affiliate Link) at the store and find out how many I could fit on my shelf.
Lastly, I measured the opening height because if I found a deep bin, it would restrict my ability to remove the content easily. I didn't want to take out the bin every time I needed to get an item.
I went to the store with my measurements and tape measure (Affiliate Link). These are the items I found.
What to use to organize small items in the narrow linen closet
First, I found a Sterilite ClearView 3 Storage Drawer Organizer (affiliate link)
: This would hold my extra toothbrushes, toothbrush tips, toothpaste, Q-tips, Cotton Swabs, 500 Count (1 Pack) (affiliate)
, and sunblock. This storage drawer organizer (Affiliate Link) fits either way, but I preferred that it was easier to use, so I did it this way.
This image is from Amazon (Affiliate Link). Clicking on the image will take you to Amazon (Affiliate Link), where you can buy it. Note: I will receive a small commission if you click through and buy anything from Amazon (Affiliate Link). Thank you for your support.
3 Storage Drawer Organizer Cabinet (2 Pack) 11 inches wide - Sterilite
Buy Now →(Affiliate Link)
What size bins should I use for a narrow linen closet shelf?
Secondly, there were rectangle wicker bins (Affiliate Link). They look pretty, and they fit the items better. I tend to buy supplies at a wholesale place, so I have a lot of extra supplies that need to be stored. I picked a rectangular bin with no rounded edges because it doesn't allow for maximum storage of items.
Wicker Baskets -15¾" x 6½" x 4¼", 2-pack
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Wicker Baskets for Organizing Shelves, 2-Pack, Black
Buy Now →(Affiliate Link)
Here are some additional problems I needed to find solutions for in my narrow linen closet.
How to fold towels for a narrow shelf?
I'm glad you asked. With a narrow closet, I needed to fold the towels in threes. Fold the towel in half longways, then fold it again short ways. You should have a narrow 18 inches by 24 inches shape. Then, trifold it. This will get you to the size of about 9 inches. See the image below for the size.
Where should these items be put on the shelves?
The top shelf held cleaning supplies, which I placed away from the little ones.
The second shelf was for extra cleaning supplies and the toothbrush storage bin. Since the drawers pulled out onto it, I needed a clear shelf.
The third shelf was for the storage of extra supplies. I have a bin for dog shampoo and other misc. Supplies, a bin for extra beauty supplies, and a bin for my jewelry (Affiliate Link) cleaner.
And the lowest shelf was for beach towels, an extra robe, and hand towels. If you want to know where I placed my bath towels, check out my post on wasted storage spaces.
Check out the picture below to see the entire linen closet organization.
Of course, my laundry baskets are stored on the narrow linen closet floor. If you want to revisit that post, here is a link.
That's it. I hope this inspires you to tackle your more difficult spaces.
Let's continue the conversation: What area of your home is difficult to organize? Please share the area and how you organized it. I would love to hear from you.
Visit our other recent bathroom posts for more inspiration!
Update 2024:
Recently, I had to update a few of these bins in the linen closet. I picked them up at Target. These brown-black bins are 9 inches deep and fit perfectly in my narrow linen closet. They have linens, which help add an extra layer to the bin. And if anything spills, I can toss it into the wash and clean it up! Yay!
I bought five bins to hold the miscellaneous stuff in the narrow closet. They are more shallow than the other wicker ones, but that is OK. It makes it a little easier to take stuff out because the items do not hit the wire shelf bar.
I still have a gap between each bin. Did you see my shelf liner (Affiliate Link) paper? I wrapped it around a foam core board and cut it narrow enough to fit on the shelf. Pretty, right?
It also holds all my cleaning supplies—nice and neat. The labels (Affiliate Link) are the same from before. I used Chalkboard tape and wrote on it with a white chalkboard marker (Affiliate Link). When it dries, it does not come off unless you wet it.
Below are some other closet organization tips to help you manage these spaces!
Linda Samuels says
Great use of the space, Sabrina! I especially like the new bins you found at Target. I have the opposite problem in my linen closet. It has a narrow opening (not very wide,) but the shelves are very deep from front to back.
Folding the sheets and towels smaller helps, along with having double rows. The less used items go in the back.
I found clear bins (kitchen bins) that are quite narrow and long which are great for organizing groups together (hair products, soaps, etc...) It works!
Janet Barclay says
My office closet was a challenge because it's actually a bedroom closet. I maximized the use of storage space by inserting an inexpensive rack of shelves which fits sideways at one side of the closet. I can fit one Banker's box along with a few small items on each shelf. It makes it much easier to access the boxes when I don't have to dig out the one I need.
Beth Niebuhr says
You were really organized! Good job in solving the problem and giving so many options.
Susan Cooper says
Love your suggestions and ideas. I am neat freak - my husband is not. No matter how I try and what I do to make it work for him (and me), he is a wad and toss so everything becomes a heap in a week or so. Big Sigh!
Jeri says
I love using little storage baskets to keep things more organized. I faced that problem in the place I lived at in North Carolina and the use of baskets made all the difference because I could lift out the basket when I needed it and then return to the inconveniently located closet when done.
William Rusho says
I think my problem is not organizing. I can put things in order as you describe, it is just 5 minutes latter it looks like the wreck of the Hesperus. I need help in maintaining the organization.
Ken Dowell says
While I have suspected this for some time, reading this post clearly shows my lack of household organization. I have a nice big, wide linen closet. And I have no idea what's in there. If a set of sheets or towels aren't on the top of the pile, they likely never get used. I'm going to have to sort this out someday.
Rose M Griffith says
This is the first house I've lived in with a nice roomy linen closet! It's such a simple pleasure. I went to the Dollar Tree and got a bunch of square and rectangular baskets, which are working out well for the lower shelves. The top shelves hold Sterlite containers with our extra blankets and pillows.
I hadn't thought about a container with drawers, though. Nifty idea for some of those thing...I'm off to see if I can change anything "from the way I've always done it."
Jacqueline Gum says
Very clever for a narrow closet. Why is it that we all seem to have that pesky narrow closet? LOL I do love the idea of the baskets. They can really neaten things up so nicely. And as to the towels...I've always folded mine with 4 folds! Uh Oh! But they fit and look very very neat!
Lenie says
I love the way you've organized the linen closet. I had to laugh when I came to folding towels part. I read that after just reading Marquita's 'why do we do things this way'. I do fold my towels into three folds, even though they don't fit best that way. After I finish reading this morning, I am going back to refold them all.
The final closet looks lovely.
Kire Sdyor says
Sabrina, I can remember my wife and I arguing for years over how to fold the towels in order to have them fit on the narrow shelving. Good times, good times.
Seana Turner says
Great tips! Narrow can be a challenge, as can super deep. Using containers as "drawers" works well!
Marquita Herald says
Love this article Sabrina! I have a closet just like this and my mind is reeling with ideas now thanks to your tips! I can hardly wait to reorganize it this week. Thank you!
Phoenicia says
In order to save on clothing space, I rotate my clothing at the start of the new season. Old seasonal items are placed in the loft.
Doreen Pendgracs says
It looks like you've provided some great options for folks. We did a similar re-organizing of our closets and storage space when we moved to our current home. We had the kitchen cabinetry completely redone to facilitate ease of access to everything (with pull-out drawers and a pantry) instead of the useless lower cupboards we had in our former home that were impossible to navigate. Life is so much easier now!
Catarina says
Smart way of organising a narrow linen closet. The way you have done it looks like IKEA. They are very fond of using small sites the way you do and have lots of bins and baskets and so forth that can be used like in your photographs.