I am joining in with my first Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch but I'm doing it a bit differently....you'll see as we go on.
I have an obsession passion for tablecloths and have had to make room in this closet for them as I've outgrown any kind of drawer.
So I have organized all my tablecloths, napkins, runners, placemats, etc in here.
See how nicely folded and organized they look.
It is wonderful to just open the doors here and see what I have and grab what I want.
However......after only a few months, this is what my neatly organized closet has become!
A disarray of everything all piled together. Nothing is where it should be and things that don't belong here have been thrown in.
This is the result of trying this and that and then being in a hurry and just throwing what I didn't use back in.
So you see, my "metamorphasis" is not a good one and I am embarrassed to be showing you this! I am hopeful that someone has a solution. Is there a better way to fold tablecloths so that you aren't messing the top ones up when you want a bottom one? Can placemats and napkins be stored differently? Any ideas are welcome!
My first thought was...that's what my closet would look like too! It would start out looking great, but would end up just like yours did. My first "solution" thought, and I have NO idea if this would work or not, would be to try rolling the tablecloths like you would bath towels. It seems like it would be easier to take one out and put one back in that way without maybe messing the others up as bad???? I dunno....if you try it let me know how that works!
ReplyDelete1st I want to say that I'm jealous of all the wonderful table linens that you do have. I'm quickly approaching having to make a change in how I store my stuff too. I've been thinking of laying out my hall closet so that I can hang tablecloths from hangers. I still have to work it out in my head, but I noticed the last time I was at the thrift store that the way they displayed everything was to hang the tablecloths from hangers. I'm thinking hanging tablecloths that way and using skirt hangers with clips for all the placemats I'm accumulating.
ReplyDeleteLove the amount of space you have. I have the same problem trying to keep all my linens neat and orderly. Wish I had a solution to. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteI have a *spare* closet and I hang my tablecloths over a hanger. The napkins are all stacked in totes.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Gail
I don't have as many tablecloths as you have.You have a wonderful collection.
ReplyDeleteI fold my cloths, too. I've been considering using a small armoir, I have in the studio upstairs. It has a space for hangers. My plan would be to hang the cloths over hangers that have been padded with something to keep creasing to a minimum.
is there some way you can remove some of your shelves and put a rod across the closet, for hanging your tablecloths?
I am getting ready to move mine from a chest of drawers to hanging them. It requires so much less ironing if they are on hangers. Other than that...no suggestions.
ReplyDeleteI've been looking off and on all morning. I can't find what I was looking for to show you. But somewhere I saw where somebody had cut a slit in paper towel tubes and old wrapping paper tubes (cut to fit) and then taped them back together around the bottom of a hanger on which to hang their tablecloths. I think if you took out the widest shelf and put a pole back in the brackets in that part of the closet you could hang a lot of your tablecoths.
ReplyDeleteThat cracked me up! I start off neat, and end up a jumble.
ReplyDeleteI think I have too many linens! I try to hand the ones on use more frequently, but the rest are folded..Napkins..some in the dining room, some in the kitchen, seasonal in the bins with those decos..But..still not the way it should be!
I straighten and neaten-is neaten a word lol.. and just like you, I use a few items and the next thing I know I have a mess again.. I like the different ideas your other commenters have posted and I hope you find the perfect solution.
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous of your closet space! If I had the space I would definitely hang them, instead I have to store them in tubs. Here's my life-saving tip ^_^. I keep a list of all my table linens with the following information. Color/description, shape (oblong, oval, round), sizes, and washing instructions. I have a round and oblong table with leaves so I check my list first before I start the search for the perfect tablecloth.
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem. I am still trying to figure out where to move my table linens. I thought I had them organized at the bottom shelves of our bookcase but it seems like the one I need is always the one at the bottom which messes up the top when I pull it. Let me know if you find a solution...Christine
ReplyDeleteDining Delight,
ReplyDeleteI have found a solution for my placemats that might be adapted for your table cloths. You can see pictures on the Holiday Forum under the post "Placemat Storage" Here's the direct link:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/christmas/msg032155109654.html
I might try hanging my table clothes. (I don't have very many, so they wouldn't take up much room.)
I'll be checking back to read other solutions from time to time.
You might try the wonder hangers. They save space in the closet and it's easy taking things out and putting them back. Here is a link from Ace Hardware online
ReplyDeletehttp://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3510228&CAWELAID=326623555
I know that Bed, Bath & Beyond carries them too.
Let us know what you came up with.
Cheers!
Tina
That is too funny! But thanks for keeping it real. I'm sure that many of us have those same issues, I know I do! I love that you have a closet to store your linens. Mine are all shoved into three small drawers. :( This was my very first Met Monday as well.
ReplyDeleteIn case you haven't seen this site already, here's a couple of interesting solutions.
ReplyDeletehttp://designingyourdreamhome.blogspot.com/2009/09/kitchen-vertical-storage-option-series_07.html
Darling your blog is bursting at the seams with creativity, colour and beauty. So glad I stumbled upon your blog.
ReplyDeleteLove & Hugs
Duchess
I hang my tablecloths on pants hangers and fold as little as possible leaving them to drape as long as possible. This keeps me from having too many or too severe folds in the tablecloth when I am ready to set my table. Then I actually store them on one end of my coat closet. I keep my placemats in drawers of my china cabinet along with napkins.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet comments on my bunny decor!! I love "springorizing" lol...Your tablescapes are just beautiful! I am going to post a little one for tablescape Thursday. It won't be much though...lol. Those last pictures you showed look better than any of my closets right now! I need to do some cleaning out...I read the last lady hangs her tablecloths on pants hangers, that's a good idea! Thanks again for your visits! Kristen
ReplyDeleteI had the exact problem as you do. So, I went out and invested in plastic bins that fit my cabinets. Smaller ones for napkins, larger for tablecloths, place mats and runners. Then I sorted everything by color. Now, when I want something, I just pull the bin out and get it. You'd be surprised at how well it works! No more mess!!
ReplyDelete