There are moments in life when you hear things and wonder what the heck it is. That’s exactly how I felt when I first heard the word Elfa at The Container Store. I had no idea what it was or what it meant, quite frankly it intimidated me. It wasn’t until I did a retail stint at The Container Store and experienced the magic of Elfa. Yes, magic because it can literally transform any space.
If you’ve never heard of the product, you are in for a real treat, organizing will never be the same again after you experience it.
The use of this product has taken many from frustrated to functional including a handful of projects that we’ve organized.
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Benefits of using Container Store Elfa
Before diving into it, let’s discuss the benefits that make it a popular storage solution for many people. Here are some of the top benefits of using Container Store Elfa:
Customizable
One of the biggest benefits of Container Store Elfa is how customizable it is. You can choose from a variety of different components, including shelves, drawers, and hanging rods, to create a storage solution that fits your specific needs.
This level of customization is especially helpful if you have an oddly shaped space or unique storage needs. Container Store Elfa can be designed to fit any space and accommodate any storage need, no matter how big or small.
There have been a handful of projects where I was certain Elfa wasn’t going to be able to work and was proven wrong again and again.
Quality
Another major benefit of Container Store Elfa is its quality. The system is made from high-quality materials, including steel and solid wood, which means it is built to last.
This is important if you’re looking for a storage solution that can withstand heavy use and hold up over time.
As someone who is price conscience, I’ve learned that quality 100% matters with organization because if the material isn’t good, the system won’t last and you’ll be back at square one.
Easy to Install
Finally, Elfa is also very easy to install. The system comes with all the hardware you need to get started, not all brands do this. For example, IKEA does not come with the hardware and you’re left with a Google search and a Lowe’s trip trying to figure out what to use.
The components are designed to be easy to assemble and install, they snap into place very easily. This means you can have your new storage system up and running in no time, without the need for professional installation. This is a huge benefit for anyone who wants to save money on installation costs and DIY their storage solution.
Elfa product line overview
Container Store Elfa has a wide variety of products and components that you can use to create your perfect storage solution. Here’s a quick overview of some of the key products in the Elfa product line:
Shelving
One of the most popular components of Container Store Elfa is the shelving. Elfa shelves come in a variety of sizes and styles, including solid wood and wire.
You can also choose from a variety of shelf depths and widths to create a custom shelving solution that fits your specific needs. Elfa shelves are also adjustable, which means you can move them up or down as your storage needs change.
Drawers
Another popular component of Elfa is the drawers. Elfa drawers come in a variety of sizes and styles, from small accessory drawers to larger clothing drawers.
They also come in different finishes, including white, platinum, and birch, so you can choose the perfect look for your space.
Hanging rods
If you need hanging storage in your space, Elfa hanging rods are a great option.
Wall & Door Rack Unit
Whether it’s the pantry, bathroom, or playroom, this organizer will get things in order especially if there are space constraints. The various components available allow you to organize a range of items from small to large.
This organizer is one of my favorite products at The Container Store and one of my favorite products in general to organize. The versatility of it really makes this product a home run.
There are two spaces where I particularly love to use this product. The first one is the bathroom door. This organizer keeps everything neatly contained and easily accessible. I love that you are able to see everything in location.
Bathroom items can be challenging to organize with the variety of categories available. This door organizer makes it easy to manage.
The second way I love to use this organizer is for gift-wrapping supplies.
Organizing gift-wrapping supplies to me was always a nuisance. It wasn’t easily accessible, you never knew what you had and always had to take everything out to see what was actually there.
This door organizer eliminates every single one of those issues. Items are neatly organized without having to take out any type of storage bin. Everything can stay where it’s at year-round including Holiday supplies.
All you have to do is open the door and bam, you’ve got what you need right in front of you.
The unit also has the ability to be mounted directly to the wall.
Freestanding Drawer Unit
Another way to get organized with Elfa at The Container Store is with this freestanding unit. This is a great option for a closet or a space where drawers are needed.
The options of configurations give you the flexibility to maximize any space. It comes in three colors: white, platinum, and graphite.
The configuration below is a 7-runner with a 4-runner. This setup created more drawers and made use of the space that was there.
While I love the gift wrap door organizer, there is the option to use it as a freestanding drawer unit as well.
This design tool allows you to play around with a variety of sizes before making a purchase, it is only available to use on a desktop at this time.
Customized Design
Finally, you can have a custom design made for your space. This is our most frequently used option as we organize a lot of spaces that are unique.
You can schedule an appointment at the store with one of the designers, search by zip code, then the closest store will pop up where you can then select “Schedule A Custom Closets Appointment”. While you can do a walk-in appointment, I highly recommend scheduling one because they are busy almost all the time.
You can also call them directly 1-888-CONTAIN (266-8246) and speak with an expert designer who can do it over the phone and email it to you. Personally speaking, I prefer to do designs in the store as it’s easier to see everything. Both in-store or over the phone are highly knowledgeable.
The last option is to create the design yourself. The interactive system gives you the ability to customize the design to your liking.
Pantry Options
There are a lot of different components to Elfa that can make it very overwhelming, I’m going to keep it simple and highlight my favorites.
- Tiered Shelf – I absolutely LOVE this shelf. All the cans can be stored here where you can see them and access them.
- Solid Shelves – Many homes come with wire shelving that can frustrate the living daylights out of you. That frustration is eliminated with the solid shelves. Not only is it visually appealing, nothing is falling through the cracks.
- Drawers – The mesh drawers allow you to see what is in there and are the perfect solution for snacks.
- Adjustable Shelves – Elfa does have wire shelves, the difference between these shelves and your typical builder wire shelf is they are made of epoxy-bonded steel. They also come with a liner so items can sit flat on the shelf. Both the wire and solid shelves are adjustable. This allows you to make changes whenever you want, it’s not set in stone.
Wire Pantry Transformation
Here’s a before and after from wire shelves to decor shelves. It’s night and day.
You can see and feel the difference between the two shelves. The after feels warmer, brighter, and more stable.
Angled Pantry Makeover
We were able to design a system that was functional, beautiful, and maximized space for this pantry. We used the ventilated shelves with the liner and added the trim pieces to the front.
This pantry was limited with space in many directions. We were able to customize the shelves to make use of the space that was there. Due to the width of the space, the ventilated option was the only thing that would fit in here.
Reach-In Pantry Transformation
This pantry was scattered with deep shelves making it challenging to see anything. Using the Elfa decor line, we were able to transform these shelves and optimize space.
Closet
The options with Elfa are endless. That’s the beauty of it, it can be as basic as you want it or as dressed up as you’d like. From trim pieces to drawer fronts to knobs, it’s all there.
This closet used the decor shelving with the drawer fronts and knobs giving it a cleaner, polished look. The accessory tray was added in the top drawer for the jewelry, giving them instant access.
Here are a few other closet options with the Elfa line. This closet used the decor line with the drawer fronts, meaning it covered up the mesh bin.
This closet used ventilated shelving with trim, giving you a premium look without the premium price.
The great thing about this system is that it’s been around for 30+ years so you can make adjustments as you go. Worried about moving or just renting? That’s okay, this can move with you! It’s not permanent.
Don’t forget about the bins, check out this post, it covers the favorites at The Container Store based on your budget.
Elfa Grab and Go Solutions
Don’t want to customize anything? No problem, use these solutions that are ready to go, just make sure to measure before buying them.
Final Thoughts
Container Store Elfa is a highly customizable storage system that can help you make the most of your space. It’s the friend that always keeps showing up when you need it most.
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