Linen Storage Ideas for Small Spaces

We know it can be hard to find linen storage ideas without closet space, but we’ve rounded up some of our top favorites today. Plus a few ideas for folding linens, since that’s a huge part of storing them correctly.

Is there any feeling better than sleeping with freshly washed sheets? Sleeping on freshly washed new sheets of course! There’s something about new linens that scream spring to us. With new linens, however, always comes the dreaded moment of having to store your old ones and making more room in an already-packed linen closet (if you are fortunate enough to have one).

If your home, cottage, or cabin is lacking in necessary storage space, today’s blog is for you. We’re sharing our favorite linen storage ideas for sheets, towels, blankets, and even kitchen cotton essentials.

Keep reading to find out our top linen storage ideas without closet space in your home.

Before we get into unique ways to store these items, we thought it was important to note that how you fold your linen can make all the difference when dealing with small or nonexistent space.

How to Fold Linen to Maximize Space

How to Fold Towels

Four common folding techniques exist for folding towels effectively. These methods include the tri-fold, deep fold, rolling fold, and narrow fold.

Tri-Fold towels will look neat and tidy on any shelf, so is perfect for visible, open-concept spaces.

The Trifold:

1. Lay the towel out on a flat surface with the tag facing up (so it’s hidden later)
2. Fold a corner of the towel about two-thirds of the way across the short side of the towel.
3. Fold the other side of the towel over the first fold.
4. Now, fold it in half.
5. Now, fold it in half, again!

This method looks best when displayed with the folded edge facing outward.

Deep Fold towels will look perfect in a narrow closet or shelf (best when space is limited). Like the photo above.

The Deep Fold:

1. Lay the towel out on a flat surface, like above.
2. Fold one edge of your towel over the halfway mark on the short edge.
3. Repeat with the other sides.
4. Fold the towel in half, length-wise so that the layers of the towel sit on top of each other.
5. Fold the ends of the towel towards the center, leaving a small gap.

This method also looks best when displayed with the folded edge facing outward.

Narrow-fold towels are the most preferred option to use when space is limited. This method should be your go-to if you are storing linens in a tiny vanity or space.

The Narrow Fold:

1. Lay the towel on a flat surface.
2. Fold the towel in half along its long edge.
3. Fold the towel in half, creating a fold at the halfway point. Make sure to align the short edges directly on top of each other.
4. Fold the hemmed edge of the towel two-thirds of the way in to create a crease.
5. Fold the opposite edge over the hemmed edge.

This method looks best displayed with the folded edge facing outward.

The last towel folding method we want to touch on is the spa-style rolled towel. This simple touch gives off serious luxury vibes when used!

To spa roll fold:

1. Lay the towel on a flat surface.
2. Fold one corner of the towel to the center, lengthwise.
3. Fold the towel in half lengthwise and then flip it over.
4. Roll the towel tightly toward the pointed end and tick in the flap.

This method looks best displayed in an attractive basket or large decorative vessel.

How to Fold Sheets

Ever wonder how designers and linen retailers fold their sheets to perfection? Are your fitted sheets currently in a giant ball in your closet? Folding properly can make a HUGE impact on how much space you actually need to store your linens.

How to Fold a Fitted Sheet

1. Put your fingers/hands into the elastic corners of one side of the fitted sheet. We recommend the long side.
2. Put your pointer fingers into the corner and bring your left hand and right hand, together. It will appear you are working inside out but when finished, it will look correct, we promise!
3. Pull one corner over the other corner.
4. Put your finger in the other corner on the outside and tuck it on the inside of the other corner.
5. Find a flat surface like a table or bed and lay the corners down. Gently make a square.
6. Take the opposite end and fold it over the top of the end with the corners.
7. Fold it again to make a long rectangle. The elastic edges will not be showing, only the straight edge of the long rectangle.
8. Fold into a square!

How to Fold a Flat Sheet/ Top Sheet

1. Grab the long end of the sheet and pull the corners together or grab one corner from the top of the sheet and one corner from the bottom of the sheet.
2. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat!
3. Voila!

Ok, now that we are familiar with space-saving folding techniques, let’s talk about linen storage ideas without closet space in your home.

The Best Linen Storage Ideas without Closet Space

Double Duty Seating

We love products with more than one purpose so mentioning an ottoman seat with inside storage was a natural choice. When I moved into my first apartment, I had no linen closet and one tiny closet for my clothes. I purchased a coffee table ottoman with inside storage that doubled as a line closet to hold my sheets and extra blankets!

We love this one.

Baskets

Can a home ever have too many baskets? Baskets are perfect to double as décor and functional storage. We have blanket baskets in both living rooms and they are perfect for storing big fluffy throws for cozy nights on the couch. This one is from Winners, however, we found a similar one for you!

Under the Sink

Under your kitchen or bathroom sink is a seriously underutilized space. We love the look of these faux glass vessels that you can use to store face towels, hand towels, and other small linens you may have.

Display Them

Circling back to the spa rolling technique above, displaying your big towels as part of your bathroom décor is a great option if you have visible shelf space. Actually, I saw a friend fold her quilts and store them in an open wardrobe. So I decided to do the same with my tablecloths and store them in our china cabinet.

Under the Bed

Under your bed is the second most underutilized space in your home. If you have a low-profile bed, why not purchase some under-the-bed storage options for your linens? So many options exist, so we rounded up a few of our current favorites (because Ashley couldn’t just pick one).

Ashley also uses her spare bedroom bed for extra storage. Because that bed is higher, a simple yet modern bed skirt is the perfect way to hide these storage units so guests are none the wiser!

Spare Dresser

I can’t believe we didn’t think of this one on our own but thank you Pinterest for the fabulous suggestion. Using an empty dresser is the perfect way to store sheets, pillowcases, and guest towels when you are short on space. Contrary to popular belief, the dresser can actually go in any room in your home to hide and store your linens. Plus, you may need to make a second trip to winners to decorate the top of it to suit the style of the room it goes into!

Space Bags

We swear by these magical little bags that can take large amounts of seasonal items and compress them into next to nothing. If you switch out linens seasonally based on temperature, storing and either rolling or vacuuming out the air will ensure your items remain dust mite free and store easily. Ziploc has also come out with extra large storage bags for easy transportation, which is another great option if you have a bit of closet space to spare!

If you are living in a small space, we would love to hear from you about what linen storage ideas without closet space you are currently using. Also, what challenges you might still be having? Get in touch.