Make a Plan

Now it's time to make sense of everything you've decided to keep.

First, divide linens into groups: bedding for each bedroom; towels for each bathroom; tablecloths and runners, dinner and cocktail napkins. Then separate summer from winter items, and daily linens from those for special occasions. The everyday and the current season should be stored at eye level, and the special-occasion and out-of-season linens farther from reach, at the top or bottom of the closet.

Placement isn't the only issue. For order, you can group linens in one of three ways: by bedroom and bathroom, by size, or by type.

Sorting and searching will be even easier if you assign one color to each room, says Winston. "That way, when you look at a towel or sheet, you immediately know whose it is." Another good idea is to slip folded sheets into the matching pillowcases.

Always put the newly laundered on top of a stack, and remove the set to be used next from the bottom. In this way, sets become equally worn.

Allocate bulkier, less used items to the top shelf. They can be stored in the zippered bags in which they were purchased to keep them free of dust. Or pack them in old pillowcases. Before you store things away, label the cases with a permanent marker so you'll know what's inside.

The backs of shelves are ideal for guest-room linens, out-of-season beach towels, and other items you use less frequently.