Measure the linen closet and say what goes in it. You get where each shelf goes, measured from the ceiling down as ClosetMaid does, how deep and long to buy the shelves, and the floor left under them.
Your linen closet
5 shelves at 78, 64, 50, 40 and 30″20″ deep and 29″ long · 18″ over the top one for blankets, 14″ for towels, 10″ for sheets · 30″ of open floor below
Quick answer: measure from the ceiling. The top shelf goes 18″ down for blankets, the towel shelves 12–16″ apart and the sheet shelves 10″ apart (ClosetMaid). Under an 8-foot ceiling that is 78, 64, 50, 40 and 30″. The shelves are ClosetMaid’s linen shelving, 12, 16 or 20″ deep, cut 1″ shorter than the wall.
How to use the linen closet shelf calculator
- Measure the closet inside: wall to wall, the back wall to the door, and the ceiling.
- Pick the room over each towel shelf: 12″ for short stacks, 16″ for tall ones.
- Say how many towel and sheet shelves you want.
- Read the shelves: the height of each one, its depth and length, and the open floor left under them.
The rules behind the numbers
From the ceiling down: ClosetMaid’s spacing
“Remember to always measure from the ceiling to calculate your shelf height.” “For bedroom closets or linen closets, devote 18 inches to the top shelf. It should be reserved for seasonal and bulky items like sweaters and blankets.” “In your linen closet, install the second shelf 12 to 16 inches below the top shelf for your bath towels. You’ll only need about 10 inches of space for sheets and table linens.” (ClosetMaid, “Shelf Guidance: How to Space, Cut and Install Shelves”.)
Shelf depth
ClosetMaid’s Wire Shelving Specifications: Linen shelving is “Available in depths of 6 in., 9 in., 20 in. and 12 in. double lip”, and SuperSlide/Linen “in 12 in. and 16 in. depths”. The calculator takes the deepest that fits the closet.
Shelf length
A wire shelf: “Measure the width of your wall and subtract one inch. This will be the length of your shelf.”
Within reach
Keep what you use most 15–48″ off the floor, the NKBA’s access standard for storage; the top shelf, for what you use least.
Linen closet shelf heights by ceiling
Two towel shelves (14″ over each) and two sheet shelves:
| Ceiling | Top (blankets) | Towels | Sheets | Open floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7′ (84″) | 66″ | 52, 38″ | 28, 18″ | 18″ |
| 8′ (96″) | 78″ | 64, 50″ | 40, 30″ | 30″ |
| 9′ (108″) | 90″ | 76, 62″ | 52, 42″ | 42″ |
Shelf depth by closet depth
| Closet depth | Linen shelf |
|---|---|
| 9–11″ | 9″ |
| 12–15″ | 12″ |
| 16–19″ | 16″ |
| 20″ or more | 20″ |
Four worked examples
A 30″ closet, 20″ deep, 8-foot ceiling. 5 shelves at 78, 64, 50, 40 and 30″, each 20″ deep and 29″ long, with 30″ of floor under them.
A narrow 24″ closet, 14″ deep. One towel shelf and four for sheets: 6 shelves at 78, 64, 54, 44, 34 and 24″, 12″ deep and 23″ long.
A 3-foot closet under a 9-foot ceiling, thick towels. Three towel shelves 16″ apart: 90, 74, 58, 42, 32 and 22″, 20″ deep and 35″ long.
A 7-foot closet, 18″ deep. 16″ shelves at 66, 52, 38, 28 and 18″: three of them, 38, 28 and 18″, within easy reach.
Common linen closet mistakes
- Setting the shelves from the floor. ClosetMaid measures from the ceiling, so the top shelf keeps its 18″.
- The same gap for everything. Sheets need about 10″; towels 12–16″.
- Too many shelves. Each one takes its gap from the floor below; leave room for a hamper or baskets.
- A shelf cut to the full width. 1″ less than the wall.
- A shelf deeper than the closet. The door has to close in front of it.
Organizing the rest? The closet size and rod height calculator plans a bedroom closet, the pantry calculator a pantry’s shelves, the towel size finder the towels themselves, and the free 2D planner draws the room to scale.
Towel sizesRead next
- Linen closet organization ideas
- Bedding storage ideas
- Tiny bathroom organization ideas
- Under-the-stairs closet ideas
Linen closet shelf questions
How far apart should linen closet shelves be?
18″ between the ceiling and the top shelf, 12–16″ over each towel shelf and about 10″ over each sheet shelf (ClosetMaid). Under an 8-foot ceiling: 78, 64, 50, 40 and 30″.
How deep should linen closet shelves be?
The deepest linen shelf that fits the closet: ClosetMaid makes them 12, 16 and 20″ deep (and 6 and 9″). A closet 12–15″ deep takes 12″ shelves, 16–19″ takes 16″, 20″ or more takes 20″.
What are linen closet dimensions?
The shelves set them: 12, 16 or 20″ deep, and the width is the shelf’s length plus 1″. A 30″-wide, 20″-deep closet under an 8-foot ceiling holds five 20 × 29″ shelves, about 20 sq ft of shelf.
How high should the top shelf of a linen closet be?
18″ below the ceiling: 66″ under a 7-foot ceiling, 78″ under an 8-foot one, 90″ under a 9-foot one. Keep it for blankets and what you use least.
How many shelves should a linen closet have?
Under an 8-foot ceiling, five (a top shelf, two for towels, two for sheets) leave 30″ of floor; six with four sheet shelves and one towel shelf leave 24″.
How long should a linen closet shelf be?
The closet’s inside width minus 1″ for a wire shelf (ClosetMaid): 29″ in a 30″ closet.