Mission Organization: Linen Closet Makeover

This is a post inspired by one of my favorite blogs, Adventures In Renovating A Brooklyn Limestone.

Stefanie started a great series called "Junk Drawer Overhaul" that invited readers to share the re-organization of a space in their homes.

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But before the organization part, I think you have to know a little back story about The Rural Socialite:

When The Hubs and I first married, we lived in the worst apartment known to man. It was disgusting and it was in the middle of nowhere, but it was all we could afford.

During this very unprosperous time in my life, I would visit the local recycling center to pilfer through the magazine bin for gently used copies of my favorites. There was no bigger score than finding an "Oprah" or "Better Homes & Gardens" unscathed on top of the stack. It was a little sad.

One day I found a copy of "Oprah" with a photo of the most gorgeous linen closet ever. It was tiny, but it was organized enough to make my heart sing. I had never considered the fact that one day I might own a linen closet, and once the idea was in my head I could think of nothing else. I stood triumphantly in my little rat's nest apartment and vowed that one day I, too, would have a gorgeously organized linen closet.

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Better Homes and Gardens Inspiration

It was very much a Scarlett O'Hara moment.

Today, I am the proud owner of a guest bathroom linen closet and I am happy to say that it's deliciously organized!

As you can see, I don't really need to keep a lot of linens in my little closet since I only have guests for typically one night at a time. Though storing towels and sheets was not a problem, I did have lots of odds and ends.

I started the scheme with these great autumn-colored stackable baskets from Target: 4 small orange ones and 2 medium-sized red ones. Target changes their color schemes seasonally, so watch out for pastels in spring, brights in summer, and so on.

Next, I used my handy label maker to print labels for all of the bins. You could also use scrapbook tags tied with ribbon. I organized mine in this way:

• Cold & Sinus - holds cough drops, Sudafed, saline nose spray, etc. I have lots of sinus sickness!
• Itchy - this one contains Benadryl, Calamine lotion, bug spray
• Stomach Upset - filled with Pepto and other tummy meds
• Pain Relief - Advil, Tylenol, Bath & Body Works PMS Relief massage oil
• Guests - Here's where I pack up the "good washcloths" along with travel toiletries
• First Aid - Bandaids, thermometer, peroxide, and the like

Also, see the little silver julep cup of razors? It's one of my favorite touches. You could also store makeup brushes or Q-tips in a similar cup.

I like storing extra toilet paper in this great rectangular wooden basket, also from Target. It perfectly holds 3 extra rolls. On the same shelf, I keep cleaning products for the guest bathroom itself.

Additional cleaning products go in this very handy caddy on the floor. I simply pick it up and run when I need to do a quick clean of another room in the house. It holds a scrub brush, Magic Erasers, Pledge, Swiffers, rubber gloves, and rags. I keep a Libman washable mop and bucket close at hand, plus a jug of white vinegar that I use for cleaning floors (dilute with water).

And speaking of floors, how do you like that new vinyl flooring??? I'm so proud of myself for picking an economical and beautiful floor that blends with the rest of the room.

Another shelf in the closet holds two guest towels and my special Hostess-With-The-Mostest wooden guest tray. This tray contains a set of monogrammed paper guest towels and a candle so I can swipe it out at a moment's notice when company shows up. I might also suggest including a nice bar of guest soap or a little bowl of potpourri.

On the same shelf you'll find my hair products (in a plastic basket) and my Velcro rollers (in a galvanized bucket from Lowe's). I like using creative and unexpected containers to hold my things.

I searched high and low for the original Oprah inspiration photo and could only find a little thumbnail version:

Okay, my closet may not be quite as high-end as Oprah's, but a real family lives in my house; it's not a show home.

What do you think? Did I pull it off?