How to Install Elfa Shelving from The Container Store

We installed Elfa shelving from The Container Store to add a huge amount of storage in a small home office space! My husband Donnie's office started out cluttered and messy, but adding the right shelving and drawers really helped us to get more organized. We were able to customize the Elfa system to meet our exact needs for the space-- be sure to come back next week for the big reveal! (This post is not sponsored by The Container Store. We had just heard amazing things about Elfa and wanted to try it for ourselves!)
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[@AbbyOrganizes]

Donnie does a ton of work around here, so I am thrilled that we are focusing on a space that is 100% his! (And I even got him to appear on camera, which is not an easy task! ;) Any words of wisdom for us as we work to organize Donnie's books, video equipment, and various office items on all of those shelves we now have? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

[@reignray1222]

instablaster

[@knitknot5968]

Excellent video!! It is clear, concise, and no nonsense. I am going to have this video by my side when I put up my Elfa this weekend. I just bought my third Elfa system. My first system was bought around 2005. I got tired of always having to pull out my knitting, needlework and other crafts from the closets every time I wanted to work on something. I wanted to turn my 2nd bedroom into my craft room. I stumbled upon Container Store one day. Found a Elfa brochure and found my craft room solution. I was lucky because that month Elfa was on sale. At that time I had a car with a hatchback. Had no problem getting everything to fit. My setup has a mixture of solid shelves and ventilated shelves. I put it up by myself. I was in an apartment at the time. When I left two years later to move into a house, when I took everything down to pack up the shelving the only patching to the wall I had to do was remove the anchors then spackle the holes. My landlord never knew that it was there. Make sure to keep your design in a safe place. You will use it again if you move. (You will love it so much you will not leave it with the house when you sell). When I moved into the new house everything went back up easily. The second Elfa system I bought was an over-the-door system to supplement my large movie collection. I moved again recently now I have a large walk in closet but no organization. So I bought an existing system featured on the website but not listed in the catalogue. Happy Elfing!

[@vanessaanderson1961]

I have used the Elfa closet system for a bunch of closets in two homes and my garage. I absolutely love it. I did three closets myself and paid for the Container Store to install my garage, my laundry space, and my pantry simply because I got tired of doing it myself.

[@runningyogamom1114]

Awesome video and build! That’s a beautiful looking system! Thanks for sharing! 🎉

[@sharoncresenzi3016]

I love the look of the shelving, it’s perfect for his office.

[@AbbyOrganizes]

Thank you so much, Sharon! I think it definitely has that masculine look he was going for! :)

[@kristinewest7237]

Looooovvee Elfa! We did an amazing craft closet in our last house along with a "mudroom" wall in our garage that frequently caused visitors to say "Wow!" We moved in the Spring and while we went with Easy Closets (also a great choice) for a higher end look in the master we put Elfa in the rest of the closets throughout the house. The staff at my Container Store is fantastic and has great ideas to maximize every inch of space available!

[@AbbyOrganizes]

Glad to know that Elfa has worked well for you! Your projects sound awesome! We did EasyClosets for our master closet in our current house and LOVE it!! Hope you're having a great week, Kristine!

[@sharonhughes293]

I've used Elfa in several closets and a wall unit like your husbands for the kitchen. I love it partly because none of it has fallen down in 15 years, but also because it's so versatile. When a bedroom went from a 14 year old to a 7 year old, I could just move the bar down lower. When my mom added a small stand up freezer in the kitchen, I just removed a shelf and it looked like it had always been there. It's expensive, but worth it in my opinion.

[@46FOXFIRE]

Great video and explanation👌

[@itsruckus_6258]

Thank you for this video! I was planning on buying one of these systems for my parents pantry but had doubts about installing it myself. Now I feel like it’s totally doable! You got yourself a new subscriber!

[@AbbyOrganizes]

Aw thank you so much for your kind words! Have fun with your project! You will love the ELFA system!

[@Lwaxana2013]

So great that you uploaded this video as I received my Elfa system today. Will serve as a storage center for my cleaning supplies, craft supplies and pet stuff. Unfortunately, the service for ELFA in Germany is terrible and so I have to cut the hanging bar an inch by myself (hope that they can do this for me at work in the garage). But still I am so happy I got it after waiting 6 weeks for the delivery. And your video made me happy as it is helpful to see the installation and beautiful look when finished. Looking forward to see the complete room 😃

[@AbbyOrganizes]

That sounds like such a great project!! I'm sure it will turn out beautifully!

[@natashasanders8785]

Lived the video! I'm planning to purchase this system (or one similar) for my master closet and home office. It doesnt look complicated to installl at all. Thanks!! 😁

[@AbbyOrganizes]

We were pleasantly surprised at how easy it was! :) Hope you're having a great week, Natasha!

[@jolieblumi1916]

Wooow such an amazing system! Loved how it looks and how flexible it is in case you want or need to change it in the future!

[@AbbyOrganizes]

Thank you, Jolie!! You are so right-- the flexibility was a major selling point for us! Hope you're having a wonderful week!

[@alaina5232]

Your husband did a great job on the voiceover too! Very easy to follow.

[@AbbyOrganizes]

Thank you so much-- he will really appreciate that! Hope you're having a wonderful week!

[@dawnthomas1567]

It looks great! I like Elfa. I have the Elfa system in my pantry.

[@AbbyOrganizes]

Ooh I bet it's awesome in the pantry! Thank you so much for your sweet words, Dawn!

[@karenhobson6809]

There is a Container Store about 30 miles from me but haven't been there yet. I really want to go and just look around and browse. I hear that it is an organizer's mecca!! Great job, Donnie.

[@AbbyOrganizes]

Ours is about an hour away, so it's a bit of a hike too, but definitely worth it to make the trip! :)

[@anujakulkarni557]

Very well explained!!

[@AbbyOrganizes]

Thank you! Hope you're having a great week, Anuja!

[@ashleyv.]

Donnie did an excellent job on his commentary. I dream of putting an elfa system in my boys' closet and garage one day!

[@AbbyOrganizes]

Thank you so much, Ashley! We definitely need something to get our garage under control too! :)

[@keepthechange1]

I am in love with The Container Store and Alfa systems. I have several systems in my home and office. The leve lof organization and style is unmatched! Your husband did an amazing job on this build! It is spectacular!

[@dianakothapally5643]

Hi Abby, love your channel. Youre videos are so clear and concise and full of great info. My request is could you please show your family file system. How do tackle mail and home documents. Can u give a solution on creating hanging folder in a regular study' table cabinet?

[@AbbyOrganizes]

Thank you so much for your sweet words, Diana! And I love that idea for a video! We will definitely talk about the way we handle our paperwork sometime in the not-too-distant future! :) Hope you had a wonderful day!

[@1BestCookie]

Wow need this when I move

[@AbbyOrganizes]

They do come in handy! :)

[@confidentnotperfect4084]

Donnie did a great job!!!!! Wow! 2 hours?!?! That's amazing!

[@AbbyOrganizes]

It was a pretty quick install! Thank you so much!

[@jessicamacmurtrie3499]

Thank you! Do I need to install the tracks or could I just install the shelves directly to the wall?

[@1shotsteelstudanchors350]

Nice video Abby. Really well done. Thanks for sharing this.

[@AbbyOrganizes]

Thank you so much, Mark! Have a great week!

[@wawawho18_adventures]

are those drawers working with the 24 inch or 30 inch?

[@GG-_.]

Oooh, so the dry wall anchors are only to be used if you drill on dry wall but don't hit a stud, the anchors are for extra support.? If you do hit a stud then you don't have to use a dry wall anchor, it's what I'm understanding from the video. Am I right?

[@linbron2018]

Can Donnie come over , I need a handy Man . He did a great job explaining.

[@AbbyOrganizes]

Lol! I'll send him right over! ;)

[@Za3chik]

Do the vertical rods shift around during daily use? (like it did in @7:55)

[@cifpher]

Cool

[@MAURO1171]

Good morning, I would like to know what weight capacity the shelf supports, how many books could I place on it?

[@theruggednorth]

Will this system work on concrete walls?

[@DoubleDutyMommy]

Great video and explanation. Question, so the verticals are never actually screwed in? Does that make the system feel a bit wobbly at all or make the shelves move back and forth while loading things on or off?

[@AbbyOrganizes]

I wasn't sure, so I just went in there and tried to shake them, lol! I think the weight of the items holds them in place well because they barely moved even when I was trying to make them!

[@loriblessner9663]

I am an elfa designer in The Container Store. The entire design is held up by the top track, none of the standards are screwed in-that's the beauty of elfa. The hanging of the shelves and drawers square everything up and hold it together. The shelves will hold hundreds of pounds without moving, elfa is a super strong and long lasting product. Thanks for the great install video-professional installation is available also.

[@1shotsteelstudanchors350]

Lori Blessner Thanks for taking the time to explain.

[@1shotsteelstudanchors350]

Lori Blessner do you install it the same way in a steel framed closet like in a skyscraper?

[@mikegoehring1967]

Surprised Donnie didn't use the "hang standard wall clips". They stabilize the whole system. If you are not hitting a stud you would have to use wall anchors, but that is easy enough. You could go back and add those at any time!

[@raquelrodriguez181]

Can drawers be added only.?

[@daffy155]

can this hold up a TV

[@TisforTech]

That seems super cheap now. I just bought a more basic setup for my daughter's closet and it cost $900 for a smallish standard 60inch wide closet in her room! Crazy.

[@lejnuk]

Hi Abby, the Elfa looks great but why did you ditch your favorite Ikea Algot system? Especially since Algot does the same thing but at a fraction of the cost?

[@AbbyOrganizes]

Great question! I still love ALGOT and will definitely use it again, but it only comes in white, so in Donnie's more "masculine" space, the platinum + sand pieces were a better fit for the look he was going for. There were also a few components that he wanted to work into the space that ALGOT didn't have, but Elfa did, so that played into the decision as well. We wanted to get a feel for Elfa too, since we had never used it before, and be able to compare the pros and cons of each system so we could know what we liked about each one!

[@lejnuk]

Thank you for the details, the space does look very elegant with the sand colored components!

[@snoww2009]

I see that only the top rail is screwed into the wall. Is it strong enough to hold a full wall of books? I intend to build one for books only. Is there a bottom rail to add strength?

[@AmericanWoman11]

I am an elfa designer so I can help with this question. Yes, it is meant to hold a lot of weight. The system works when you place more components and weight on it so it can stay stable. I have this same combination as my bookshelves and TV center all in one so it definitely holds the weight :)

[@bill6698]

You don't show putting in the vertical anchors. Why?

[@dawnwang1790]

Love the shelves, but expensive

[@amitchandle2828]

First i understand but give me address of sheleve material.

[@espen2729]

Does it ONLY secure to the wall on the top rail? I am about to do a full master closet + laundry room with this setup.

[@AbbyOrganizes]

Hi, Espen! Ours is just secured by the top rail, but there are also places on the verticals where you could secure it as well if you would want to. Best of luck with your project!

[@subhashlighttv1830]

Ye chahiye

[@dmdm7848]

இதன் விலை

[@deelake7283]

You didn’t put any anchors in the down rods!!

[@boltup5566]

4:19. Those drywall anchors don't tap in that easy. They're cheap plastic and shatter. I'm about the go to a big box store and buy real drywall anchors.

[@chookchack]

Did he not use a stud finder?

[@AbbyOrganizes]

He did use a stud finder when he was installing the top rail. :)

[@AmericanWoman11]

I am an elfa designer so I can answer this. It is a common misconception that you have to find the stud when installing the top track, but it not as necessary as people think.The drywall anchors are very VERY strong so as long as they are anchored properly it will support the weight. However, the holes on the top track are 8 inches apart on center so since studs are around 16" on center you will more than likely hit one stud which will be more than sufficient to hold the weight. All this to say, worry about making sure the top track is level and placed like the diagram then try to find the stud first. Hope this helps

[@Organise_Space]

Like "American woman" I am also an Elfa design and installer. You don't need to hit studs, Elfa dry wall fixings are amazing (really really amazing) you only need to fix into the plasterboards . I know its doesn't make sense but trust me, it works! To the person below who said the video had too much Abbey in it - Youre kidding!! Too much Abbey??? that REALLY doesn't make sense (insert love heart emoji !)

[@AndreyAkTis]

Какая девочка красивая... :)

[@nosirrahm]

Let me tell ya - you better start from the bottom and work your way up. I have the Decor shelves that “snap” onto the shelf brackets and decor drawers for my closet. Oh my - the amount of times I needed to take off the shelf above so that I could install stuff below because I couldn’t put in a shelf bracket while I was learning was unbelievable. 😩😂 It would have been smart to only work on one side of my closet and figure that out while I was learning but I didn’t figure that out until more than half way thru. The directions and videos only showed you how to install each piece and doesn’t tell you “start from bottom” “you need X amount space between drawers.”

[@Red_zookeeper]

a random comment

[@baoshibijou1351]

Way too "talky", way too much of you instead of the topic.