7 Steps for Tackling Storage
Originally published for Parachute
by Emily Mitchell
So you’ve decided to embark upon the project of optimizing your linen storage. Perhaps your home is endowed with a dedicated linen closet, but said cabinet causes you to wince anytime you so much as attempt to extricate a washcloth. Perhaps you have multiple storage spaces, such as under the bed containers, a trunk stationed at the end of your bed, or a refashioned broom closet — and now you’re looking to simplify. No matter! As with any project, let’s break it down into some straightforward steps.
1 MAKE SPACE
At the outset, start by taking inventory. This exercise will be all the more helpful if you have multiple storage locations. Unearth everything. Set blankets, comforters, sheets, towels et al, on a bed or clean surface. This will allow you to take inventory of what you already have and identify if your collection can be edited. Additional benefit, you never know what surprises you may uncover (a forlorn alpaca sock surfing the half-pipe of your fitted sheet? Or my personal favorite — a stale afikomen waiting out its sentence in a tertiary pillow case).
Examine which items are no longer the recipient of your love and attention. Are there any pieces that have been excluded from your rotation for over two years, or which have become overly pilled, stained, or threadbare? Heirlooms and sentimental childhood blankets are exempt, for now, of course.
As you go through your items, fashion separate piles for items that can be: donated, discarded, or repurposed. You can get creative with reusing items here. For example, old towels can be earmarked for drying your pet when it rains, or can be cut into squares to make kitchen rags.
2 IDENTIFY GAPS
Now that you’ve pared down to essentials, you can identify any gaps in your collection. At least two sets of linen per bedroom and two complete set of towels per bedroom will serve you well. That’s not to say that a third set won’t save you unnecessary stress when your Sunday laundry night gets….backlogged. As they say, don’t underestimate the power of a matching towel set.
3 SORT & ORDER
In certain realms, compartmentalizing gets a bad rap; but here, it’s all about compartmentalization. First, group sheets according to bed size. If you have unique sets for each room, for example, you’re going to find it eminently helpful to have those stacked together. Next, group complete towel sets with one another. Last, be sure to corral together miscellaneous items, such as workout or yoga towels, and keep them neatly bundled.
4 SEEING IS BELIEVING
When divvying up storage real estate, consider how often you reach for certain items. Let those more popular items occupy the easier to reach places. This may mean keeping the sheets at arm’s reach, while stowing seasonal quilts up above. Unless you are working with a unique accommodation (see: under the bed), be sure that all items are within eyesight.
5 FOLD IT IN
There are various ways to approach folding , but no matter what method you choose, stick to one convention and stay with it. When all your linens are neatly assembled, your life will be that much easier.
For sheet sets, you can start with the more voluminous items, such as a top sheet, at the bottom, and lightest items items, like pillow cases, on top.
As you may have heard, Parachute bedding comes in cute self-care bags, so you can keep extra creases at minimum and reduce space. Duvets and winter bedding can be contained as well in bedding bags, which have cotton panels to prevent dust and humidity from getting in. As we’ve by now learned: Natural fibers need air to breathe! Never store your bedding in plastic containers — these trap moisture and result in mildew — and avoid cardboard, which may transfer acids to the fabric.
For a long time, I felt certain that agility required to fold a fitted sheet fell somewhere on the spectrum of sacred geometry and pinning the wings of a butterfly specimen. That is to say, not for mere mortals. And it’s little surprise then, that one, satiric and just-for-fun, online cartoon shows its character, after some hopeful initial steps, proceed to douse his fitted sheet and set it aflame, and then calmly walk away.
Fortunately, this does not have to be you. Allow Parachute Founder and CEO Ariel Kaye to summon the wisdom of your wisdom of your foremothers in what is truly the only fitted sheet tutorial you will ever need. And, fortunately for you, it does not require the precision of a trained scientist or the coercion of a partner.
6 KEEP IT CONTAINED
Now, on to the fun part! Keep ancillary housekeeping items contained in practical wire baskets (because your detergent and wool dryer balls need a home too). Muji, the pared-down purveyor of home goods offers a host of delightful options as well. For added pleasure, organize baskets with hand-lettered or home-printed labels.
If you have a surfeit of items for your bathroom vanity, you may also find solace in these glass storage jars, which are perfect for items like cotton balls, and will make restocking your bathroom supplies a breeze. That said, you don’t necessarily need to invest in new storage solutions. A little creativity goes a long way in creating. A particularly pleasing leftover holiday gift basket or a sturdy shoebox, for example, can be easily up-cycled into a new caddy for tissue boxes or toilet paper.
7 EVEN MORE SPACE
If at this point your armoire is still at capacity, you may consider some artful re-merchandizing. Try moving all or part of one collection, like a towel set, into its designated bathroom. If your bathroom storage is already at the threshold, it may be to time send in the reinforcements.
The over the toilet solutions have come a long way since the dorm room days, and there are some lovely and affordable pieces to be found. If your towels prefer privacy please, you may opt for cabinets instead of open shelving. If the floor-plan of your bathroom accommodates, a ladder shelf against a wall can make for another appealing option. Added bonus, you can place pretty points of interest, such as a scented candle or a linen mist in between shelves. You may even consider rolling and displaying wash cloths on a tray or in a basket. In more of a low-ceiling scenario, this neutral rattan trunk may be your friend.
When in doubt, just remember that the goal is simplification, not perfection.
