Easily Organize Table Linens
When you spend a little time to organize table linens, you will free up space in your drawers and will keep your tablecloths free of wrinkles.
I am a collector of linens, a habit started by my grandmother and reinforced by my mom. I grew up in a paperless kitchen and have carried that into my own kitchen.
As such, I am always on the lookout for lovely cloth napkins, tablecloths, and dish towels and have accumulated quite an assortment of all of them.
Besides inheriting my mom’s and grandma’s love of linens, I also inherited my other grandma’s buffet. I’m sure that this buffet has standard storage space, but my burgeoning table linen inventory inevitably overwhelmed the space available.
Each drawer was filled with a combination of tablecloths, napkins, and even a few placemats thrown in for good measure.
And because the drawers were filled to capacity, my napkins were tucked in wherever I could find space.
But…that was then…
This is now! Organized Table Linens and napkins!
No, I didn’t toss any of my linens out.
Instead I realized that I had more linens than I had space and, therefore, needed to find some new space.
My idea was to use some of the space in the closet under the stairs to hang up my tablecloths. This freed up the drawer space for the napkins. This space under the stairs was perfect, but a spare bedroom closet or coat closet would work just as well.
We used these support brackets and a flagpole we already had. The brackets hold up to 125 lbs on the hanger, so I now have the capacity to add more tablecloths! 😂
How to Organize Table Linens
I employed the methods I used in the past of taking all the linens out of the cabinet to examine them for their condition and to decide if they were something I still wanted to use. In the process, I discarded a couple of dated runners and repaired a small tear in one of the tablecloths in the process.
I measured each of my tablecloths and runners and I created labels so that now I know exactly what I have. Then, I folded 4″ by 6″ cardstock in half, cut a little half oval at the fold, wrote down the details, and attached it a hanger.
A little glue/tape keep the label in place.
Now all my tablecloths are organized and I can easily see what I have!
I’m so excited about this little organizational coup.
Bookmark this page or pin the following image to refer back to these tip on how to organize table linens.
Thanks so much for spending a few minutes of your busy day with me!
To ensure you don’t miss future content, pop your email in the pale green box on the right or click here. I usually send one email weekly, so I won’t inundate your inbox. I’m sensitive to an overflowing email inbox!
We will only use your email address to send you emails, no more than 1-2 weekly. In addition, you will have access to my growing library of knit & crochet patterns and other printables. Check back often as this library will continue to grow. You can unsubscribe anytime by emailing me or clicking on the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of all emails.
And you can access many of the products I refer to on my Nourish and Nestle Amazon Page. You can access it here.
So, if you’d like to participate in the ‘subscriber benefit’ action, simply subscribe to Nourish and Nestle here or use the form on the right sidebar. It’s slightly towards the top.
I have sent all my subscribers the link to the Subscriber Benefits Library. If you missed it or misplaced it, let me know.
Until next time…
Love the linen organization! Have you found a secret to keeping the linens from developing deep creases , especially in the middle of the tablecloth/runner, etc where the piece sits/hangs on the hanger?
Hi Andrea,
I have yet to figure out how to avoid a crease, but do find that I can just iron the crease and not the whole tablecloth or runner. That being said, I’d love to hear if you figure out a solution!
Hugs,
Lynn
I just slip a pool noodle over the hanger..
Hi Janice,
You put a pool noodle over the bar that the linens lay over? That’s a great idea!
You can also use empty paper towel rolls.
HI Mary,
Do you put the empty paper towel rolls over the hanger bar? That’s a great idea!
I’ve had some luck in reducing the deep crease by hanging an old hand towel under the tablecloth. It doesn’t completely get rid of the crease but “rounds it out”. Thanks so much for the great information and photos, Lynn.
Hi Mary, that’s a brilliant idea! I will be borrowing it and will include it in the post. Thank you!
Hugs,
Lynn
Nice, if you have the closet space.
Hi Nancy,
No doubt, closet space is necessary. In my old house, I made room in my coat closet. Do you have any space in any of your closets?
Lynn
I just love all your inspirational content in each email! Keep it up please. 😊Janet
Hi Janet,
You’ve made my day! It is my goal every week to do just that. Receiving messages like yours lets me know I’m on the right track, so thank you! I really do love what I do, so I don’t plan to quit anytime soon!
Hugs, Lynn