Ideas for beautiful and compact storage of bed linen

Sometimes the closet resembles a basket of assorted laundry. It is not clear what is where, there is only enough order for a couple of days. In search of the right thing, everything turns upside down again. Lack of space makes the situation worse. I would like to carry out an audit and empty a couple of shelves. Believe me, this will not save you.

There is a road to ideal order - you need to fold your bed linen compactly and reconsider your organization principles. Let's look at the most convenient methods used by housewives all over the world.

Vertical (Japanese)

There is a second name - the Konmari method. In Japan, apartments are small. The living space is not furnished with bulky cabinets and walls. Therefore, housewives actively use vertical storage in drawers of chests of drawers. Or they fill out the organizers and then put them away in the dressing rooms.

Storing bed linen using the Konmari method

Instructions:

1. Fold the duvet cover 4 times and smooth it out with your hands.
2. Fold the edges of the package toward the center to create a strip the width of the organizer.
3. Fold the ends of the fabric bundle again towards the center, on top of each other. Now we focus on the height of the box.
4. Roll all items using the described technology into a square or rectangle. Place in the box vertically with the fold up. Place the bundles tightly so that they retain their shape.

If you are going to use the chest of drawers for vertical storage, then bedding should be folded into a rectangle, not a square. Consider the height and width of the drawer to ensure the stacks fit and look neat.

A special feature is that all the items in the set can be stored in different places in the drawers. For small packages, strong boxes and plastic containers are suitable.

Chests of drawers with small drawers are not suitable for the Japanese method; the depth should be more than 25 cm.

Is it possible to store bed linen neatly?

Not really

How to fold it beautifully as a gift

A beautiful bedding set is often used as a gift for newlyweds. It can either be in its original packaging or neatly folded by hand. The second option is done as follows:

1. Iron the set to reduce its volume.
2. Fold the duvet cover several times and place the four-fold sheet and pillowcases on it.
3. Tie the stack with matching ribbon and place in a box or gift bag.

It’s good if the original packaging is preserved, but you can do without it.
If the sets are voluminous, there are a lot of them, or they are supplemented with towels, then all the parts can be rolled up, tied together like a cake. A card with wishes is placed inside, and the composition itself is decorated with flowers and ribbons.

Classical

Soviet people were accustomed to storing clean bed linen in piles in the closet. This method has more disadvantages than advantages. There are voids at the top, and this is a precious place. Getting the right thing carefully is a real quest. There are a lot of creases left on the lower objects. They are difficult to straighten. If you are a fan of perfectly smooth linen, you will need to iron again.

Instructions:

• Fold ironed laundry into squares and rectangles.
• Place in stacks according to the size of the shelves.

• It is important to turn the bundles with the fold point facing outwards.
• Place stacks of laundry on shelves.

It’s good if the shelf allows you to place several stacks of different sizes side by side. If not, there may be a mess. It can be difficult to carefully get a certain item, especially in a hurry. You can make additional shelves from plywood with your own hands; they compensate for the height of the stacks.

Folding bedding and clothes compactly in the classic way will not work. To save space, it is recommended to use the Japanese roll method with a pillowcase.

According to Marie Kondo's method

Japanese woman Marie Kondo has developed her own way of folding and storing laundry. Apartments in Japan, like furniture, do not have a lot of free space, which sets strict conditions for organizing the storage of linen.

Basic principles of the method:

• minimal space for each item;
• retrieving any item without disturbing order;
• all items in the closet should be visible.

The author of the idea offers the following instructions for tidying up your closet:

1. The shelves are emptied, and the laundry is sorted out for old and unnecessary items - things that will be thrown away.
2. The sets are sorted by category: pillowcases, duvet covers and sheets are recommended to be stored in different piles.
3. Things are stacked so that they are all accessible for viewing, and so that when removing one of them the order of the others is not disturbed: for this they are folded into a rectangle and stored in a vertical position.

Set in pillowcase

There is no need to look for components from one set, take out all the things, and put things in order again. The linen looks neat, compact, and it’s easy to visually estimate its quantity. Convenient in homes with a large number of bedding sets.

Instructions:

1. Fold the ironed duvet cover into a rectangle. The size is approximately half the size of a pillowcase.
2. Do the same with the rest of the laundry.
3. Make a pile, press it, place it in a pillowcase.
4. Fold in the free edge of the pillowcase. If there is a pocket, then it can be used for its intended purpose. The result is a compact rectangular package.
5. Put away for storage.

Method of folding bed linen into a pillowcase
Pros:

• order in the closet;
• everything is in one package, nothing is lost;
• neat appearance, looks neat;
• compact storage.

Minuses:

• stacks from different sets differ in thickness;
• creases are possible;
• Suitable for sets only.
• Suitable for deep cabinets.

Bundles are placed in storage areas both vertically and horizontally. In the latter case, it is recommended to periodically take the laundry from the bottom of the pile and change places. Otherwise the kit will cake.

Rules for storing linen in the closet

You can use baskets or boxes to sort bed linens

To keep bedding fresh and smelling nice, even after lying in the closet for several months, you need to follow a few simple storage rules:

• Do not keep laundry in plastic bags under any circumstances - this may create a musty smell;
  Plastic bags and packages are not suitable for storing bedding
• on the shelf where the laundry is stored, you can put aromatic sachets, orange peels or a piece of soap without packaging;

  
  Aromatic oils or special sachets with herbs or citrus notes will make your laundry fragrant

  
  Wax sachet – fragrance for linen and closet with your favorite scents

• Only completely dried items can be put into the closet, otherwise there will be a damp smell.

If you have rarely used bedding, you can pack it in vacuum bags and reduce the space you take up

In your pocket

Convenient method of storing kits. Use step-by-step instructions in pictures:

1. Spread the duvet cover, fold it 4 times, smooth out any unevenness or creases.
2. Fold the sheet on top, folded 6-8 times, depending on the size.
3. Next are the pillowcases. Smooth out with your hands.
4. Fold the left edge to the center by a third of the width.
5. Fold the right side over the left. You will get a long strip.
6. Fold the left side of the fabric strip 2/5 towards the center. A piece equal to 1/5 of the entire length should be visible from underneath it.
7. Spread the resulting pocket, insert the free edge of the right side.
8. It should be a rectangle or square, depending on the size of the bed linen. Place the folded set on a shelf or in an organizer.

Folding bed linen using the “pocket” method
Advantages:

• An even, compact package that retains its shape.
• The edges do not puff up, do not come out, and are easy to take out.

Minus:

• Need training. Folding is difficult the first time, but once you master the technique, the process will not take much time.

Using any option for folding bed linen, you can forget about ironing. Careful smoothing with your hands replaces ironing.

Basic folding methods

Regardless of what sets are in the closet - children's, one-and-a-half-size or family, they include at least three items (duvet cover, pillowcase, sheet). If you put each of them separately, you get a lot of things that are not easy to sort through and quickly get what you need.

The most common ways to fold bed linen include:

• classical;
• storage in a pillowcase;
• vertical.

Classical

This method is considered the most common. After washing and drying, the laundry is ironed. As a result, it not only acquires a more aesthetic appearance, but also takes up less space. Pillowcases are folded correctly (corner to corner) 3-4 times in half, sheets and duvet covers - up to 6 times. Sets are assembled from ironed items and placed in a neat stack in a closet.

Vertical

The method was borrowed from the Japanese. Bedding items are folded not into rectangles, but into voluminous rolls. By folding a duvet cover or sheet not 6 times, but several more, you get a bundle that is stored, placed on the narrow part, vertically. Finding and retrieving sets folded in this way is not difficult, but they require a special shelf or chest of drawers. This option for storing bed linen is not suitable for a standard closet.

Set in pillowcase

The pillowcase storage method is convenient to use. The items in the kits do not get confused, they are very compactly located on the shelf, and they are easy to get out. To put bed linen in a pillowcase, you need to:

1. Iron it with an iron.
2. Carefully fold the sheets and duvet covers to fit into the pillowcase.
3. Place in one pile.
4. Place the entire set in a pillowcase, fold the edges and place it on the shelf.

With elastic band

Recently, sheets with elastic have become widespread; they are convenient to use, but difficult to fold so that it looks neat. According to one of the methods, it is necessary:

1. Take the sheet by the centers of the short side and shake it.
2. Place it in the shape of a hammock on a flat surface.
3. Fold the edges with the elastic into the middle.
4. Fold towards the smooth side twice.
5. Turn over and fold in half.
6. Combine all corners (one to one).
7. Align the edges and fold to the required size.

KonMari Method

The method was developed and bears the name of Marie Kondo, a resident of Japan. It provides for the rational distribution of space for linen in a modern apartment.

The remaining linen is sorted into three categories: sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers. They are stored in a closet in a vertical position, folded into separate piles that are accessible for viewing. The location allows you to take the necessary item without disturbing the general order.

Roll

This method is used to store sets of linen in deep drawers or shelves. The duvet cover is folded into a strip, and a sheet and pillowcase folded in the same way are placed on top. Everything is rolled up and placed in a second pillowcase. The vertical position allows you to remove rolls without destroying the structure, and place a new, clean set of linen in the free space.

Bookshelf

The method consists in placing bed linen on shelves not horizontally, but like books in a bookcase. Removing the required set is very convenient and does not affect the neighboring ones. The method is suitable for narrow cabinets with frequently spaced shelves.

Package

You can significantly save space in your closet using special vacuum bags. After the laundry has been washed, dried and turned inside out, it is carefully folded, placed in a bag and the air is pumped out of it. Ordinary plastic is not suitable for these purposes.

Dressing

A beautiful addition to folded laundry can be tying it with a ribbon, decorative rope, or ribbon. The assembled kit is easy to take out and pleasant to hold in your hands.

Baskets and containers

The inside of the closet looks very neat if each set of bed linen is folded compactly and placed in a separate box, basket or container. It’s convenient to take from the shelf; the order in the closet is not disturbed if you take out one of the boxes. This method is applicable when the size of the apartment and closet allows.

On a roll

This is the standard method for folding laundry sets. Instructions:

1. Unfold the duvet cover, fold the sides inward several times until you get a long strip.
2. Fold the other items in the set in the same way.
3. Place pillowcases on the duvet cover, then the sheet.
4. Roll into a roll.
5. Place an organizer on a shelf, in a drawer.

Method of folding bed linen into a roll
Plus:

• No creases.
• The roll can be folded compactly into any closet, chest of drawers, drawers, containers, or fabric organizer.

Minus:

• You need to sort your laundry by size.
• For sets with different configurations, the rolls differ in size.

This method is not suitable for fitted sheets. But rolls can be stored vertically or horizontally. It is not necessary to roll the entire set together; sometimes this is done separately with each copy of the set.

You can fold towels, jeans, and other items of clothing into compact rolls. The method is suitable for assembling a suitcase for a trip.

Bed linen with elastic

Scheme for folding laundry with an elastic band

Recently, sheets with elastic have become increasingly popular: they are easy to use, practical, and do not bunch up after sleep. However, it may be difficult to roll them neatly when storing them.

For sheets with elastic, there is an option not only for folding, but also for twisting

There is an easy way to compactly roll up fitted sheets. To do this, you need to straighten the sheet and place all its corners one by one. In the resulting rectangle, you need to straighten out all the folds, and then fold it in a way that is convenient (depending on the chosen storage method).

A simple method for small and large fitted sheets

Envelope

The advantages of this method are the absence of creases, everything is stored in one place, and ease of folding. The downside is the lack of compactness. Double sets make impressive envelopes. Suitable for storing linen in a wardrobe, on a rack in a dressing room.

Instructions:

1. Fold the sheet in half, then 2 more times. Check for evenness.
2. Place in the center of the flattened duvet cover.
3. Spread one or two pillowcases on top.
4. Fold the duvet cover from the top and bottom to the middle. Check strip width and align.
5. Fold the sides towards the center. You will get an envelope.
6. The laundry is folded! Can be put in the closet.

When folding double sets of linen, you do not need to follow the instructions exactly; difficulties and unevenness may arise. It is recommended to fold the euro sheet 6 or 8 times, otherwise you will end up with a large envelope.

Clothes storage according to KonMari: vertical know-how

The next stage after sorting is storing things. Fold things beautifully and conveniently so they last longer

Kondo emphasizes the importance of giving each element a home. That is, clothes should be in the wardrobe, books should be on the shelves, and documents should be on the table

Otherwise, they will again “scatter” around the apartment, creating an atmosphere of chaos.

Things are organized into categories. In categories – sort by color, size, etc.

• Hang on hangers in the closet.
• They are stacked and hidden in drawers.
• Rolled into a roll and parallelepiped for vertical storage.
• Place long and large items on the right, and short and small items on the left. No need to dig around and make a mess when searching.

Vertical storage is especially often practiced in Japanese cleaning. All things are folded so as to form a small parallelepiped, which is convenient to store vertically.

This method has many advantages: saving space, a neat appearance and tactile contact, in which we “communicate” with every detail. But how do you stack things for vertical storage? You can learn this from tutorial videos on YouTube. What's the point:

• Each item is rolled up like a Japanese roll. Panties, socks and tights are rolled into a roll; T-shirts, T-shirts and jeans are rolled into a parallelepiped.
• Fold so that the package placed on its edge does not exceed the height of the box wall.
• Group everything into categories: socks to socks, T-shirts to T-shirts.
• Such a system does not require special devices. Plastic containers, shoe boxes, and the like will do.

Tip two: geometric shapes

The author has a unique diagram that explains how to fold things according to Marie Kondo’s method, that is, correctly.

Perhaps the housewife who encountered this method of storing clothes for the first time will think that it is too difficult. But a quadrangle for any thing is actually a universal shape for a T-shirt or blouse, for shorts, T-shirts and even underwear.

If you don’t manage to fold it on the first try, don’t despair; the guide book describes in detail how to fold a T-shirt using Marie Kondo’s method; the book contains many pictures depicting the diagram. There is also a detailed and clear training video.