Solid Wood Linen Cabinet

Buying Guide

Linen cabinets and towers are an excellent investment for growing families and anyone who hosts a lot of guests. They provide stylish storage for towels and other bathroom essentials and can be placed in any room of the house for family members or guests who need them.

Linen storage comes in all shapes and sizes, so you'll easily find something for any space and room color. Here are the questions and answers to keep in mind when shopping.

How Tall Should Linen Storage Be?

Many linen towers have a slender profile to allow them to fit into a variety of flexible spaces. Linen tower heights range from 18"-24" wide and deep, and up to 72" tall.

Tall storage towers should have at least five shelves to make it easy to access items without too much stacking. Some storage towers have adjustable shelving, which is useful when storing bulky towels or bedding.

However, shorter, wider cabinets are also available. While these smaller options are more easily accessible, they also have limited storage space. Low line linen cabinets vary between 24"-36" wide and are typically up to 36" tall.

Keep in mind that storage units taller than 36" should have a tip-over device installed, and even shorter furniture should be secured if there are small children in the home. This keeps the tower from falling over and protects against childhood accidents.

The right height linen storage for you depends on the location you choose and the space you have available. Measure the height, width, and depth of your chosen storage area and allow at least an inch or two clearance either side of the unit to prevent damage to other furniture.

What Material is Best for Linen Storage?

MDF

Manufactured wood (MDF) is a common material for linen storage as it is inexpensive and easily painted so it can come in a broader range of styles. Although it is typically not as durable as solid wood, it can work for linen cabinets and towers if they are not used frequently, such as in a guest room, office, or basement.

Choose an MDF linen tower in a distressed white stain for a coastal style home and accessories with shells and nautical artwork. Or choose a sleek high gloss black cabinet for a minimal or Asian Zen bathroom.

Solid Wood

Solid wood is a heavy-duty, durable option for linen storage, and while it is more expensive than manufactured wood, it adds a richness and depth to your room to elevate your décor.

Solid wood comes in a range of natural and stained finishes to match your style. Choose a light oak finished cabinet for a light and airy bathroom. Or a cabinet in deep mahogany with exposed brass hardware to coordinate with the furniture in a traditional bedroom.

Metal

Metal frame linen storage units are ideal for bathrooms and laundry rooms because they will not warp or deteriorate with prolonged exposure to moisture. However, you must ensure the frame is powder-coated to prevent corrosion.

Metal frame linen towers with open shelves enable you to store linens and display accent pieces and greenery, making them an excellent choice for modern urban and industrial homes. Add boxes or baskets to your shelves for more organized storage.

Rattan or Wicker

Rattan or wicker makes a stylish addition to your bohemian or shabby chic home and incorporates an interesting textural element into your style. If you are using a rattan or wicker linen cabinet, make sure you apply a waterproof coating to prevent the natural fibers from disintegrating.

What Features Should I Look For in Linen Storage?

Cabinets

Cabinet doors are designed to hide and protect spare bathroom and laundry supplies. Most cabinets can also be made childproof, which helps if you have small children at home. Cabinet doors are usually solid, but doors with glass or plastic windows keep items visible so guests can find them.

Open Shelves

Open shelves can't be childproofed, but they provide unobstructed visibility and access to items. They are best for larger towels and blankets that may be hard to squeeze into a cabinet or drawer. They can also be used for displaying art, and indoor plants to help style your room.

Drawers

Drawers are perfect for storing hand towels and other small items. Some linen towers include one or two drawers, but most focus on cabinet and shelf space. These drawers are useful in guest bathrooms, where extra toiletries can be provided as a courtesy.

What Style Works Best in My Room?

Choose a linen cabinet or tower that coordinates with the style of your bedroom or bathroom. This does not mean that you need to match the furniture exactly. Choose linen storage that has a similar theme, features, or color as your other furniture.

For a shabby chic home, vintage molding and hardware on linen cabinets make it look like a genuine antique. The intricate design of a rattan linen cabinet adds interest to bohemian, Scandi, and even mid-century modern homes.

How Much Linen Storage Space Do I Need?

When space is limited, it can be challenging to find a solution for storing your linens and toiletries.

Couples and small families will need a linen cabinet or tower, especially if you have guests regularly. Large families should place one in the guest bedroom or bathroom, and more in any room of the house that is short on closet space.

It is recommended that you have enough storage space to accommodate three sheet sets per bed and at least three sets of bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths per person in your home. You should also allow space for storing toilet paper and extra toiletries like shampoo and soap.

You can achieve this with a large cabinet central to your home or bathroom with sections of the cabinet organized with baskets or containers. Alternatively, place a slim linen cabinet in each bedroom of the house, the towels, sheets, and necessities are easily accessible for the person staying in that room.

Quick Tips:

The size and shape of linen storage furniture can vary, but tall and narrow towers are standard for bathrooms, while wider cabinets are better suited for bedrooms that have more space. Tall furniture can be secured to the wall for safety.
Linen storage comes in a variety of materials to match your style, budget, and the level of durability you need. Some options include solid wood, manufactured wood, metal, and rattan.
Open shelves, cabinets, and drawers are all useful storage features. Cabinets are easy to childproof, but open shelves provide optimal visibility and access. Drawers are useful for organizing small items.
Linen storage should coordinate with existing furniture. Choose towers and cabinets with similar design elements as your other furniture.
Small families will need at least one large linen tower to compensate for the lack of storage space. Large families will need at least one additional tower or cabinet.