Tackling the Upstairs Linen Closet

I'm tackling our upstairs linen closet over the next few weeks. I recently entered stage 3 of being a disposable diaper mom and couldn't WAIT to get rid of that container taking up valuable real estate at the bottom of the closet! In the process I am hoping to gain back a closet that I'm not scared to open anymore from the smell factor (we can all breath a sigh of relief!) ;-)

I also decided that I wanted to switch some things around. I have been using this closet for linens but never liked the disheveled look that came along with that. It just kind of lends itself to "throw other stuff in there because what is really the point?" Here it is in all of its glory. (Yep, we totally had one of those toddler/monkey leashes and used it one time when we were visiting downtown Chicago...I think it is time to donate that thing.)

I found some solutions online for a messy linen problem that seemed great...

Carmel @ Our Fifth House 

found  a great way to organize her linens using bins and a rolling system.

Jen @ IHeart Organizing 

used some baskets and bins to create an awesome space as well.

My only problem was that I had no money left this month to spend on bins...or only $4.22 to be exact! Not to mention that we have a lot of sheets, with seven of us sleeping here and all. In thinking about my dilemma I remembered that I have an empty dresser in our guest room that was't being used.

Our youngest son used it when he was in that room but then we moved him into the big boy room. Originally, I had thought that it would be nice to leave the dresser empty for guests. However, most guests have kept their clothes in their suitcases or used the closet which has plenty of space for guests to use. All of a sudden it seemed like a no brainer to move our sheets into the guest room dresser.

Now I have lots of room to play around with, with the space in our linen HALL closet...I think a fresh coat of paint is in order. Even if I am the only one ever opening that closet...I want to fully smile with delight when I do and I just happen to already have some paint leftover from the hallway project. 

I already have a head start with the organization part with some bins that I labeled when we first moved in. I have some more in the bathroom that I am going to move into this space now that the linens are gone. Well, the linens aren't quite gone in this picture but you can get an idea of what the before looked like (and it looks like we might be out of razors.)

 Might I just add, whose idea was it to put stickers on the wall...stickers!

Ok, so it was mine...all mine. At the time, I was thinking that I was being resourceful by using some name tags that we had on hand to make labels for our sheets. However, in now trying to take those down I realized that I definitely wasn't thinking that one through. I mean really, I don't even let my children put stickers on the wall so why the heck did I do that?!

I still have some more peeling to do...and then some painting...a little bit of rearranging and then one newly organized, no longer smelly, no longer linen closet will appear. I can't wait for the finished product!

Are you tackling any home projects this month?