Elfa Closet System DIY - Part 1: Installing Drywall Anchors for the Top Rail

I love the flexibility of the Elfa closet system (sold by Container Store here in L.A.), but when trying to install the system yourself, you'll find some of the instructions are wanting for a DIYer. The Elfa instructions say to drill holes in the drywall and then take out the anchor screws before tapping them into the holes, but they're too flimsy to withstand any pressure and end up flexing and sometimes breaking from the pressure.
I finally figured out how to get those wiggly plastic Elfa Closet System wall anchors into the wall, by NOT following the instructions.
Loosen the screws in the anchors, but LEAVE them in the plastic housings when you're trying to get them into the drywall holes. Tap the head of the screws as gently as you can with a hammer until the plastic bottom of the anchor clears the drywall. Then you can push in the anchors. Now take out the screws and tap in the plastic housing with a hammer.
See the next step, how to install the rails: • Elfa Closet System DIY...

[@StrattonErin]

Thanks! You saved us, we've been struggling with that stupid plastic expander for 30 minutes!

[@LibbyGarrett]

Thank you so much!! 🙏🏼 I was pretty intimidated to do this myself, but your videos gave me a great amount of information and confidence! I just installed my wall unit and gave a champagne toast to you. CHEERS to WONDERBUSS!! ✨

[@wonderbuss2327]

Glad it worked for you! I'm putting together some more Elfa videos, the first of which is a Macgyver-ish way of keeping the sliding shoe racks and drawers from popping out when jostled.

[@musicmomcarrot]

THANK YOU! I have never thought about hammering the anchor in with the screw put back into it! Wish I had seen this before I ruined several wall anchors…thanks so much…really!

[@samstress1]

Thanks Jeff! First video I've seen of this that makes sense! Really helped me out!

[@wonderbuss2327]

Glad it was helpful for you.

[@billshadel8550]

Thank you. This is far more helpful than the official Elfa installation video.

[@wonderbuss2327]

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback.

[@MrFgibbons]

Had just come to the same conclusion myself (although my instructions just say “your designer has included the appropriate anchors based on what you told them about your walls”, then you look at the schematic on the bag of anchors, and it doesn’t even show that little grey detachable plug). Anyway, glad you made this video, so I know I’m on the right track. I already had a mini freak out because the holes don’t align with any of my studs, due to how they cut it; but then I saw how big the anchors were, and read the instructions again ( “you might not hit any studs”) and I relaxed;-)

[@wonderbuss2327]

Yeah, each of the anchors hold a surprising amount of weight.

[@ZijunWang1129]

This is very helpful!

[@alanmccoy1204]

This helped. Thanks!

[@samanthaa.6055]

Thank you!!!

[@ronwilson8649]

What do you do with that gray sleeve that came in the pkg. ?

[@wonderbuss2327]

The thing that looks like a bullet? It's for when you're attaching the hanging rails directly into the wall.

[@robertzimmerman7824]

How about cement/brick anchors?

[@fulcigento]

What size drill bit do you use?

[@wonderbuss2327]

The initial drilling (to find out what's behind the drywall is 1/8th or smaller. the final hole size is 3/8".

[@AdAce21]

huge help, those anchors suck! Thanks!

[@wonderbuss2327]

Glad it helped!

[@lynettieo]

If I drilled my hole too big, can I glue the anchor in with gorilla glue? : (

[@wonderbuss2327]

I don't think gorilla glue will work. Either skip that hole or use a different anchor from the hardware store.

[@rbrtwhill]

You probably didn't make the hole too big. You have to screw in with an electric screwdriver for 30 seconds to get the plastic collar to expand. If you did screw up then get the Easy Track toggle bolt anchors.

[@kristidavis8983]

I used to love ELFA -- every time I moved (military) over 15 years, I used this shelving. I just bought some -- what crap it's turned in to! No more printed instructions, the top track is smaller and cheaper, and the drywall anchors (as shown in this video) have changed without explanation. Even the "little red fabric" bag that came with $2K worth of shelving is gone, replaced by a container store paper bag. Latter not a big deal.... but just a symptom that the product is cheap now. No longer worth the price.

[@tobyringle]

Lord, those anchors are installed behind the top rack! You installed incorrectly.

[@wonderbuss2327]

If you've ever installed one, then you'll know it's the right way to do it.