THE LINEN CLOSET

But after all, it is a blessed good thing to have some closets, even
dark ones, and proper care and attention will go a long way toward
remedying their defects. Clothes closets we must have, china closets
we usually have, and linen closets we sometimes have, not always. To
the housewife who possesses a linen closet it is a source of particular
pride, and the stocking and care of it her very special pleasure. Its
drawers should be deep and its shelves wide and well apart--not less
than eighteen inches, and even more in the case of the upper ones, for
the accommodation of the reserve supply of blankets, quilts, and other
bed coverings. Arrange on the lower shelves the piles of counterpanes,
sheets, and pillowcases in constant use, linen and cotton in separate
piles, and those of the same size together. Washcloths and towels,
heavy, fine, bath and hand, have each their own pile on shelf or in
drawer, according to room. Shams and other dainty bed accessories go
into the drawers, one of which may be dedicated to the neat strips and
tight rolls of old linen and cotton cloth, worn-out underclothing,
etc., as they gradually accumulate. Where no provision is made for a
linen closet, a case of the wardrobe type, built along the inner wall
of a wide hall, answers the purpose very well, and is not unpleasing to
the eye if made to harmonize with the other woodwork. A closet of this
kind may vary in width from four to six feet, with swinging or sliding
doors, preferably the latter, and drawers and shelves, or shelves
alone. Or there may be a cupboard above and shelves below, or vice
versa.