How to Organize All of Your Household Paper Products, Including Paper Towels, Napkins, and More

Paper products are a necessity in almost every home, but they aren't always easy to store. Between big-box purchases that save you money when you buy them in bulk to items you need to keep on hand even though they're seldom used, it isn't always easy to find a storage solution for everything in this product category. To help, we tapped two organization experts who share how to properly stow paper towels, toilet paper, and more.

How to Declutter and Organize Your Paperwork

Always remove the original packaging.

When it comes to storing any paper product, Ashley Murphy, the co-founder of NEAT Method, says to first remove the item from its original packaging; this will typically make storing paper towels or toilet paper easier. "Depending on the items and your storage space, you can either line the products up in rows by category or place them in bins or baskets in a linen closet, pantry, or under a sink," she says. "This will keep your countertops clutter-free and your home looking neat and organized."

Don't be afraid to split up bathroom essentials.

Of course, not everyone has a large linen closet, which is why Marissa Hagmeyer, NEAT Method's other half, says to break your stash up and store items in multiple places if necessary. For example, she suggests keeping a few extra rolls of toilet paper in your bathroom vanity (use a bin to keep them together) and moving any overflow to a basket in your linen closet or another cabinet. "If you don't have under-the-sink storage or a linen closet, then a pretty basket in the bathroom works, as well," she adds. As for your makeup wipes? Hagmeyer says they can be stored in a basket or acrylic bin with a label. "If a basket or bin is not an option for your space, look to drawers to store these items, instead."

Keep only what you need in the kitchen.

Items like paper towels can take up a lot of space due to their sheer size, especially when wrapped in their original plastic. This is why Murphy suggests keeping these products out of sight when possible. "Either store paper towels in a large basket or nicely lined up in rows in a cabinet or on a pantry shelf," she says. "If you are short on space, just keep one to two rolls under your kitchen sink in a bin with your other cleaning products."

Think outside the (storage) box when organizing paper napkins and plates.

Since napkins and paper plates are smaller, you have more storage options available. "A divided basket on a pantry shelf or in a kitchen cabinet is a great way to store paper napkins and plates, so you can keep them together for easy access," Hagmeyer shares. "Using an expandable divider in a drawer is another nice way to keep these items together, yet separated."

Save space by shopping smart.

No amount of storage will solve your issues if you're buying more products than you have room to store (or need), which is why Murphy suggests mindful shopping as your first line of defense against clutter. "Our number one piece of advice is to shop for the space you have," she says. "If you are tight on storage space, then we suggest buying smaller amounts of paper essentials." And, whenever feasible, she suggests using reusable products. Not only are they better for the environment, but they'll cut back on how much product you need to keep on hand regularly.