Buckle up, buttercup.
I have the BEST idea for you today.
It all started with a messy drawer of tablecloths and placemats that wouldn’t shut.
It couldn’t.
There was no way that drawer was going to shut.
It was too full of messy, wrinkled, disorganized stuff for your table.
I tried everything. I tried kicking the drawer. I tried pushing all of that wrinkled, unorganized mess down with one hand and shutting the drawer with the other. I tried scooting everything to the back and shutting the front.
And then?
I came up with an idea that was so simple I wasn’t even sure it would work.
But it DID.
It worked perfectly.
And now?
And I reorganized the entire linen drawer with this.
PAPER TOWEL ROLLS.
I know, right?
Are you impressed?
Can you even believe it?
And it was so easy, too.
Step 1: Start collecting empty paper towel rolls
I used about 12 to organize my drawer.
(total aside: I also used the inside of a gift wrap roll and the cardboard tube that a rug came on. I just cut them down to the size of a paper towel roll.)
Step 2: Iron your linens
Some of them were ready without any ironing.
But TONS of my linens were wrinkled.
And there is nothing worse than unrolling a table runner, and it’s wrinkled. Ick.
Trust me. Take the five minutes to iron the linens before you roll them.
One quick note. To ensure the cardboard doesn’t stain the linens—for linens that aren’t used that much–make sure to wrap the roll in cloth or acid-free paper before you roll up the linens.
Step 3: Place the empty paper towel roll at the end of your linen
The paper towel holders were the perfect size for table runners.
For tablecloths, I folded them in fourths and rolled them.
For placemats, I stacked them in stacks of four and rolled them together.
Step 4: Start rolling your linen
Have you ever seen anyone so happy to organize their linen drawer in your life?
It’s so easy.
All you do is start at one end and roll.
Step 5: Finish rolling
That’s it.
Keep rolling the linen until you have the entire table linen on the paper towel holder.
It’s best if you work on a flat surface because it keeps the linen straighter when you roll it.
Step 6: Add the rolled linens to the drawer
That’s it.
You’re done.
All you need to do is put all the linens in a drawer like this.
I stacked two layers of them and added a stack on the side, and they fit perfectly.
I used to fold my tablecloths over on a hanger and store them in a closet, but they always had that crease in the middle.
This is SO much easier and keeps them ready for use.
I wish you had seen this drawer before.
I wish I had a video of me trying to shut it.
Now?
It’s closed and organized and ready to celebrate summer.
And we are ready to ROLL.
(Pun totally intended.) 🙂
PS Here are a few other kitchen posts:
✨ PS: Such a warm note about “The BEST Tip to Keep Your Linens Wrinkle” — delightful. Love this!
Small note • Neat idea — simple and effective. Saving it.
PS — I appreciate the detail — very helpful indeed. Love this!
PS — This brightened my day — thank you for sharing.