How to Design a Linen Closet for Small Spaces

Using IKEA Cabinets for Space-Saving Storage Solutions

If you live in a large city or an older home with smaller room footprints than new construction McMansions (don’t get us wrong – we love those, too), chances are you are familiar with the linen closet struggle. From bulky beach towels to seasonal duvets to everyday sheets and bath linens, getting it all under control and Marie Kondo’d requires bringing in the pros.

Keeping towels and bedding sheets in a custom-designed closet will keep your linens clean and protected from dust and moisture. And – bonus – an organized IKEA linen cabinet extends the life of expensive bedding and towels.

This article shows how even small spaces can be redesigned into beautiful linen closets with plenty of storage.

Start Fresh by Donating Unwanted Linens

Let’s get started – first, the hard part! Take a look at everything you currently have that fits into the “linen closet” category – and start editing.

Those towels that just don’t ever get white? Sheets for a fold-out couch you got rid of long ago? Threadbare beach towels that have seen better days? Donate gently used linens to shelters, recycle textiles at your local greenmarket, or upcycle into cleaning rags.

Hopefully after this exercise you’ve culled down to what you really want or need.

Take Inventory of Your Current Linen Closet

• Which items do I need to store? If you have bulkier items, including your favorite fluffy towels and winter duvet, shelving is a good way to go.
• How much space do I have available? A linen closet can be tucked in a narrow space, too. It can be as little as 18” wide or go up to 60” wide.

Redesigning an Existing Linen Closet

If you have an existing closet (lucky you!) that you would like to transform, you can work with IKEA closet systems such as the Elvarli wardrobe combination to customize the interior.

A shelf height of about 10 inches is good for sheets. Allow about 12 to 16 inches of shelf height for towels. Bulky comforters, wool blankets, and extra pillows may need 18 inches of shelf space.

You can send IKD all of the closet’s dimensions along with the types of items you would like to store so we can create a shopping list for you, along with our color renderings and design plans. We then upload everything to the IKEA planning tool for you. Yes, it’s that easy.

Building a Linen Closet from Scratch

The second option is when you simply don’t have a closet to spare and need to build one from scratch. We often recommend the Pax wardrobe system as a good starting point for a stand alone linen closet that can squeeze into a small space.

Blogger and lifestyle influencer Kari Skelton recently went through the process of creating an IKEA linen closet for her 1913 heritage home. Kari used the Rakkestad wardrobe which you can also use, but don’t forget about all of the internal organizing details we can add to your design:

• GODMORGON internal compartments for drawers: Keep smaller items such as handkerchiefs and napkins individually tucked.
• KOMPLEMENT baskets and drawers: Carry your linens and keep a set of two nearby for easy organizing.

You can also think outside the, uh, bathroom. IKEA kitchen cabinet options such as the SEKTION are inexpensive, flexible, and durable. Why not use SEKTION cabinets in a bathroom or for a stand alone linen closet?

Add the Finishing Touches to Your Linen Closet

After all that work, it’s important to ensure a finished look by paying attention to the details. Use cover panels at each side to conceal seams between stacked cabinets (one of our favorite design tips) or order custom door fronts from our partner Semihandmade!

Get custom design plans for (almost) every room in your home, starting at $395. Click here to get started.