As the resident Sleep Editor here at Homes & Gardens, I pride myself on my collection of white, bright, and beautiful bedding. The other thing I also pride myself on is my storage method − it's likely nothing you haven't heard of before, but it is easy, effective, and completely free.
Instead of folding my sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases for separate storage, I slide the matching set into one of the corresponding pillowcases to keep everything all together in one place and simple to find whenever I need it.
It's a clever bedding storage trick to make organizing a linen closet more straightforward than ever.
When it comes to organizing my best bed sheets, I take the job seriously. Making a bed is tiresome enough without having to hunt through piles of linens for a matching pillowcase or stray sheet, which is why I store them together in sets.
This simple idea also comes approved by Professional Organizer and Founder of Diisorganized, Di Ter Avest.
'Storing a complete bedding set inside one of the matching pillowcases keeps all the pieces together, so nothing gets lost or separated,' she says. 'It also creates a cleaner, more organized look in the linen closet and makes it quick and easy to find exactly what you need when it's time to change the sheets,' which is exactly why I do it.
She's not the only pro to approve of my method, either. Meghan Cocchiaro, Certified Professional Organizer and Founder of Organized by Meg, adds, 'Storing bed sheets folded within the matching pillowcase is an easy way to keep your bed linens organized and keep each set together without the need for a separate "bed sheet organizer case" that is sold for this same purpose.'
For added organization, if you choose to store your collection this way, Meghan advises placing each set of the same size together in the same storage basket, or on the same shelf.
'If they're in a storage basket, label the basket with a clip [available at Amazon] by the size of sheets: Twin, Full/Queen, or King, or by whatever other categories you may have, such as Kids, Adults, Flannel, Summer, et cetera. If it's a shelf, label the shelf itself, and stack them neatly no more than three high, as they will fall over.'
Alternative, Free Ways to Store Your Bed Linen
Of course, this isn't the only tip for small linen closet storage.
'One of my favorite free organizing tips is to store items where you use them most often,' says Di. 'Keeping things close to their point of use saves time and makes it easier to maintain organization.
'So you could save them in a nearby linen closet if you have one, or keep them in the wardrobe or closet in the room. I also recommend creating clear "homes" for belongings and using simple labels to help everyone in the household know where things belong.'
Additionally, says Meghan, it pays to keep collections as minimal as possible. 'I suggest no more than two sheets per bed in your house, including the set that is on the bed,' she adds. 'Exceptions may be made if you have different weighted sheets for seasons or holiday-themed sheets, and for young kids.'
What to Shop
Below, you can shop from a selection of my favorite bedding and alternative bedding storage options, like baskets and boxes. I've found that the key is making your storage work for your space, rather than making your space work for your storage.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This cotton percale duvet cover keeps you cool, without compromising on style. With vintage-inspired eyelet lace accents and a cinched design, it's pretty, charming, and conveniently machine-washable.
Using a decorative box like this is a clever way to keep your linen closet organized. With integrated handles, it's easy to pull down and replace on your shelves, while the rectangular design allows you to place multiple boxes beside one another.
These clever bed sheet organizers transformed my linen closet. They keep everything uniform and neatly accessible and come with handy labels for easy identification of items.
If you don't have a linen closet, this PÄRKLA Storage Case from IKEA is perfect. With a soft, zipped design, bedding is protected from dust, dander, and musty odors, and can be squeezed into small spaces, like cabinets and under beds.
These cooling sheets are made of BlendTek fabric: A blend of nylon, polyester, and spandex, which is moisture-wicking, breathable, and instantly refreshing. This set includes one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two pillowcases.
Alternatively, use clear shelf dividers like these to separate your sheets, duvet covers, and pillows by type and size. They're simple to use and take only seconds to install, with no assembly required.
Meet the Experts
Stuck for inspiration? Martha Stewart's linen closet organization method uses cardboard rolls and lavender sachets to keep linens organized and smelling fresh and clean.
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