Buying guide for best linen cabinets
The struggle for storage in any home is real. There never seems to be enough shelving or closet space. It becomes a concern when it’s time to store extra towels and bedding, which is why investing in a linen cabinet is a step toward stress-free organization.
While functional, linen cabinets have become a home fixture as stylish and high quality as other types of furniture. They’re now available in a variety of finishes and colors, and many feature decorative accents like unique hardware or whimsical painted designs. Best known for storing large, soft items, linen cabinets are also home to beauty products, spare toilet paper or tissues, and even pajamas. With generous compartments — and in some models, drawers and shelves — the storage possibilities are endless.
Let your bedding breathe and towels stay fluffy inside a brand-new linen cabinet specially designed with these items in mind. Here’s our definitive buying guide to help you choose a linen cabinet that best suits your home, as well as a few models we particularly like.
Key considerations
Style
Tall cabinet: Average dimensions: 60” high x 30” wide x 15” deep
When you think of a traditional linen cabinet, you probably think of a tall, white, utilitarian piece. It still reigns as one of the most popular styles, and several manufacturers have brought it into the 21st century with better-quality designs and modern hardware. Tall cabinets are ideal for storing your largest linens and bedding, even including some comforters and pillows. Cabinets can be bought individually or built alongside other coordinating pieces to create larger cabinet systems.
Narrow cabinet: Average dimensions: 60” high x 18” wide x 15” deep
As far as size goes, think of narrow linen cabinets as half the size of traditional tall ones. Often considered the sleeker, simpler alternative for small bathrooms, narrow cabinets are often used to store spare bath towels and toiletries. Because bathrooms are obviously humid, narrow cabinets are often treated with coatings to prevent mold and mildew.
Short cabinet: Average dimensions: 30” high x 24” wide x 15” deep
Despite their short stature, these tiny but mighty styles are as versatile as linen cabinets get. Short linen cabinets most closely resemble other types of furniture, which means they’re the easiest to place in other rooms besides bathrooms. A foyer, rec room, or even bedroom can benefit from the additional, space-savvy storage option offered by a short linen cabinet.
Corner cabinet: Average dimensions: 30” high x 20” wide x 15” deep
There are also corner linen cabinets, whose designs are evidently space specific. Each corner style is different than the next, so rest assured that there’s a good chance you’re picking a one-of-a-kind piece. Their unique design makes them the perfect fit in tight spaces and small bathrooms, but they tend to have somewhat limited storage capacity.
Features
Storage
Compartments: Linen cabinets have large, unobstructed compartments. In many styles, the shelving can be adjusted by means of moving hardware up or down a pegboard. To make things more convenient, these adjustments require minimal effort and no tools, so in most cases, you won’t need to disassemble the entire piece for it.
Drawers: Some linen cabinets have drawers to provide more specialized organization. They can be accessible from the outside or be tucked inside one of the compartments. Drawers are few and far between, so only expect to find one or two in a linen cabinet. Even then, they’re considered a premium feature, so you’ll end up paying quite a bit more for them.
Shelves: There are some linen cabinets, namely narrow and short styles, that have external shelving options. These are ideal features if you’d like easy accessibility to certain items, like beauty products or hand towels. Since shelves are on the smaller side, you’ll only be able to fit a few items at most.
Hardware
Linen cabinets come with a variety of hardware, including hinges, bolts, screws, and handles. The assembly hardware is pretty standard across the board, though you’ll notice a real difference in hinge quality in premium styles. As far as handles go, they can be as simple as plastic-coated pulls or as attractive as brushed metal knobs.
Assembly
The majority of linen cabinets require assembly, which means you’ll need to have basic tools to handle the project. Instructions tend to be straightforward, with text and diagrams, but some consumers say it’s easier to watch a manufacturer's tutorial video if available. If you’re not up to putting the cabinet together yourself, you can always hire a pro to take care of it instead.
Materials
Linen cabinets are made from a variety of materials, and the more you spend, the better those materials tend to be. More affordable cabinets are made of wood-plastic composite, particle board, or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Most top-of-the-line cabinets use real wood. There are also some linen cabinets that combine affordable materials with premium wood to offer a happy medium of better materials at a budget-friendly price.
For your safety
Avoid placing heavy items in linen cabinets. Refer to the user manual to determine its weight capacity and recommended use.
STAFF
BestReviews
Linen cabinet prices
For the most part, linen cabinets cost between $75 and $300, depending mostly on materials and size and whether it’s fully assembled upon delivery.
Inexpensive: For less than $100, you can find a variety of unique short cabinets as well as simple full-size styles. There are also a few wall-mounted linen cabinets in this category.
Mid-range: If you’re willing to spend between $100 and $200, you’ll have a broad range of narrow linen cabinets to compare. High-quality short and full-size cabinets are also in this range, many of which are available in multiple finishes.
Expensive: For $300 and up, expect to find linen cabinets that are more like heavy, good-quality furniture. These styles typically arrive already assembled, and if they’re not, they often require a pro to handle it.
"If you’re not a big fan of the linen cabinet’s stock hardware, it’s easy to replace it. Pick up some new knobs or handles, or repurpose some antique ones to give the cabinet an ornate look. "
STAFF
BestReviews
Tips
Freshen a cabinet with chalk paint. If you’d like to give your linen cabinet a fresh, new look, give chalk paint a shot. Its rustic matte finish comes in a variety of fun colors.
Buy two cabinets for a large bathroom. If you have a large bathroom, consider investing in a pair of narrow linen cabinets instead of a single large one. It will help to more evenly distribute furniture and space throughout the room.
Add a linen cabinet to a foyer. Place a linen cabinet in a foyer to make seasonal accessories and outerwear easily accessible.
Buy coated cabinets for bathrooms. If you intend to keep a linen cabinet in your bathroom, choose one that’s covered with a coating that resists mold and mildew. Not all cabinets have these coatings, so you’ll need to research product descriptions.
Invest in a tall linen cabinet for a guest room. Instead of spending a small fortune to furnish a guest bedroom, opt for a tall linen cabinet instead. There will be ample space for guests to store their belongings, and you’ll have storage space when you don’t have guests.
Other products we considered
If you don’t see what you like in our matrix, we have a couple more ideas for you. For a compact style with multiple storage options, we like the RiverRidge Home Ellsworth Collection Floor Cabinet. This 31-inch cabinet has two generous compartments behind an attractive shutter door, as well as three corner shelves. Available in white or espresso, this linen cabinet is a perfect addition to any bathroom, and it coordinates well with other RiverRidge pieces. Assembly is easy with an uncomplicated design and straightforward instructions.
If you’re looking for a high-end linen cabinet, we recommend the Home Styles Nantucket White Pantry. This full-size cabinet has two main shelving areas, as well as a waist-level drawer. Given its chic white finish and quality hardware, this cabinet blends into any room. It also earns high marks for being the right depth for folded towels, sheets, and light comforters.
FAQ
Q. Besides a bathroom, where can I keep a linen closet?
A. They’re often found in guest rooms, at the ends of hallways, and even in basements. Some people place them in sunrooms to match wicker or beach-themed décor. Most linen closets have a versatile finish that lets them blend in with other furniture, which means you can put them in virtually any room.
Q. How can I organize a linen closet with towels and bedding in a variety of sizes?
A. Because linen closets have large compartments, you can use a series of organizer bins to house smaller towels and pillow cases. As far as larger items go, such as sheets or comforters, you can put up wire or plastic separators to ensure bedding stays stacked in tidy columns and won’t shift or slide when removing individual pieces.
Q. How else can I use a linen cabinet?
A. A tall linen cabinet is an ideal alternative to a tallboy, especially since it’s often less expensive and easier to assemble. Depending how decorative they are, shorter linen cabinets can be used as bedside tables. Narrow linen cabinets are popular choices as additional pantry storage.
