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Elfa Shelving Installation Process | One Room Challenge: Week 4

Decorating Project Gallery, DIY Projects, Home Improvement, One Room Challenge, Tips & Tricks

UPDATE: Starting 12/16/2020 through early 2/23/2021, all Elfa storage systems and installation services are 30% off — woot woot!

Elfa shelving systems ROCK! Today, I’ll walk you through the Elfa shelving installation process from start to finish and show you just how crazy easy it is to install a custom Elfa storage solution.

 

Welcome to week 4 of the  One Room Challenge™ ! I must say that I’m pretty darned impressed with myself…not because of any mad design skills that I possess, but for the fact that I haven’t yet succumbed to a nervous breakdown. My project is really not that involved, relative to some of the other projects that other ORC participants have taken on. But working at this lightening-fast pace has rreeeaaally taken me out of my comfort zone.

In case you’ve just stumbled upon this post and haven’t read all the deets about this latest room transformation, you can learn more about the room we’re transforming (complete with BEFORE photos) HERE. You can also read all about the design plans HERE.

And you’re welcome to follow along each week as I continue to cross off more tasks from the massive project TO DO list:

Week One | Week Two | Week Three | Week Four | Week Five | Week Six | Week Seven

 

The BIG task that we crossed off the list this week was the Elfa shelving installation project.

Learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process (you know, that fabulous custom storage line found exclusively at the Container Store!) & see how we used Elfa in our One Room Challenge design! | #DIY #ContainerStore #Elfa #homeworkroom

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission, which helps keep my blog up and running but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

If you’ve been around here for awhile, you know I’m a BIG TIME Elfa Fan Girl. Over the years, I’ve shared many projects that included The Container Store’s customizable Elfa storage systems, including:

  • my daughter’s walk-in closet
  • our (former) guest room closet
  • our pantry
  • our master bathroom

So it only makes sense that THIS room makeover would include an Elfa storage solution, right? From the moment the idea for a homework room was conceived in my head, I envisioned an Elfa system that included a wall with built-in adjacent desks coupled with rows of shelving.

So I took a trip to the local Container Store and — with the help of one of their Elfa designers — brought my vision to life:

Learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process (you know, that fabulous custom storage line found exclusively at the Container Store!) & see how we used Elfa in our One Room Challenge design! | #DIY #ContainerStore #Elfa #homeworkroom

If you’re in the market for an Elfa storage system, I highly recommend getting assistance from one of the Container Store’s expert designers (either in person, or by phone if you plan to order your system online). They’re so helpful when it comes to fleshing out the specifics of your design and suggesting options that you probably wouldn’t come up with on your own.

When you meet with a designer, have your measurements handy, as well as some photos of the space where you plan to install your storage system. It’s also helpful to know what types of items you’ll need to store and a rough estimate of the quantity of each item category.

After I fleshed out the details of my design with my designer, I was able to purchase all of the components and take them home during my visit. I was so thankful I didn’t have to come back later, since I live almost an hour away from the store.

Truth be told: I made my trip to the Container Store several weeks ago. So I’ve been staring at this set of boxes, for a while now…chomping at the bit to get going on the install once The Challenge began.

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

HOMEWORK ZONE DESIGN COMPONENTS

Our final design consisted of three rows of Birch decor shelves, with coordinating birch desk tops. We chose white standards and brackets to coordinate with the white finish of the furniture that will live the soon-to-be craft zone.

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

We also included a set of white mesh drawers in the design for storing all of those random office supplies that every good homework station needs. The drawers also serve as the perfect “His” & “Hers” space divider for those times that both kiddos will be working in the room simultaneously. I even went the extra mile and purchased the custom mesh drawer dividers and drawer label holders.

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

 

 

THE ELFA SHELVING INSTALLATION PROCESS

 

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

 

Big props to the Container Store for their attention to detail and their uber-organized packaging methods. They really do make installation a breeze with the detailed written instructions they provide with your order pick up, and their online DIY video tutorials.

Rather outsource the installation? They do offer installation services.

 

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

You might remember from previous Elfa installation tutorials I’ve shared, the most crucial step in any Elfa shelving installation is to properly install the top track — the horizontal track that serves as the anchor point for your system. Brian is the mastermind who figured out the optimal placement for the top track, based on:

  1. the height of our uprights (the vertical components that hang off the top track)
  2. my desire to have it centered on the wall as much as possible
  3. Our need to carve out clearance on the right in order to access items in the closet
  4. Our goal to secure the top track to as many wall studs as possible (you can use Elfa wall anchors to safely secure your system in drywall, but we like the added peace of mind that comes with securing it in studs)

 

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

One of the many great features of Elfa storage systems is the fact that the ONLY component that gets secured to your wall is the top track. This translates into minimal wall damage, should one day you wish to remove/relocate your shelving system.

Once the top track is secured, the next step in the process is to hang the uprights. You’ll need to refer to your custom design plan (using the handy spacer tool that’s included in your red bag) to correctly space the uprights across the wall.

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

Now the FUN begins!

It’s time to secure the brackets (for shelving and drawers) to the uprights. Pay attention to bracket size as you work through this process. For our build, the desktops used 20″ brackets, while the shelving and drawers used 16″ brackets.

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

Brian went for instant gratification and chose to install the drawers first. Once the brackets were installed, he attached the drawer frames, then dropped the mesh drawers into the frames.

Voila! We have storage.

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

Moving onto the desk and shelf installation…

Take a peek at what Elfa Decor shelving/desktops looks like on the side:

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

To install Elfa Decor shelving & desktops, simply line up the grooves on the shelf side with the notches in the bracket and press down firmly to lock it in place.

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

 

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

Once we had the drawers and the desktops installed, it was time to move onto the shelves.

(working at such lightning speed!)

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

Brian repeated the process of placing brackets and locking in shelving pieces for each row of shelving.

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

In order to determine the height of each row of shelving, we brought in a few standard size storage containers and placed the shelves at a height that provided sufficient clearance for the containers.

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

The good news is that the shelving height can be easily adjusted if need be. It’s just a matter of popping out the shelves, relocating the brackets and popping the shelves back in place. #CUSTOMSOLUTIONSROCK

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

 

HOUSTON: WE HAVE A HOMEWORK ZONE

It is an amazing thing to see your vision come to life! We couldn’t be more happy with the way this Elfa shelving installation turned out.

TOTAL COST:  $1,220

TOTAL INSTALLATION TIME: 90 minutes

I still need to fine tune things with the addition of drawer dividers, labels (and perhaps an Elfa utility board above each desk).

Elfa shelving systems aren’t cheap. But they ARE in investment in your happiness! The materials are high-quality and extremely durable. I’ve been super pleased at how my existing Elfa storage systems have held up over years, and I’m confident that this homework zone will serve my kids well in years to come.

Perhaps the best thing about Elfa storage is it’s ability to adapt over time to your changing needs, since these systems are fully customizable. And with the wide variety of Elfa accessories, you can really create a custom storage system that functions exactly how you need it to.

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

 

MODERN HOMEWORK/CRAFT ROOM PROGRESS: WEEK 4

Even though we only crossed off two tasks from the project To Do list, they were BIGGIES (the Elfa shelving installation and assembling desk chairs).

Did I mention how much I’m digging the desk chairs?

My kiddos had their hearts set on these crazy expensive bungee chairs, and weren’t exactly thrilled when I told them that the bungee chairs were not in our budget. So, they already had a grudge against the chairs I selected before they ever crossed the threshold.

But once we assembled these, they quickly changed their tune! Of course my son is requesting caster wheels on his chair. Hmmm….

We installed Elfa shelving to create a homework zone as part of the One Room Challenge! Click over to learn all about the Elfa shelving installation process | #OneRoomChallenge #Elfa #ContainerStore #storage

 

Here’s what we’ve completed so far and what remains to be done over the next few weeks:

  • Sell bed
  • Sell light fixture
  • Donate/Sell CD collection
  • Remove wallpaper
  • Purchase & install new light fixture
  • Repair & paint walls
  • Apply wall stencil
  • Purchase homework zone wall shelving & desktops
  • Purchase desk chairs
  • Decide on craft storage/table configuration and purchase
  • Install wall shelving/desks for homework zone
  • Assemble desk chairs
  • Build craft zone furniture
  • Source area rug
  • Build DIY wall-mounted wrapping paper storage solution
  • Purchase accessories & accessorize (clock, storage containers, etc.)
  • Relocate craft items to new space

Wait! Before you go, take a few minutes to check out all the rooms that are being transformed by both the featured participants and my fellow guest participants in this season’s One Room Challenge over at Calling It Home!

 

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Comments

  1. Julie Briones says

    June 29, 2020 at 12:29 pm

    Thanks for sharing these great tips on how to install Elfa shelving from the container store… always love seeing tips and tricks from a real-life perspective. Saw this post over at the Snickerdoodle link party! We’d love for you to come and visit/link-up at Tuesday Turn About. We go live on Tuesdays (duh) at 5pm CST… Hope to see you there each week!

    Reply
    • Natalie Gallagher says

      June 30, 2020 at 7:38 am

      Sounds great Julie! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  2. Julia says

    January 21, 2020 at 6:50 pm

    Love your finished workspace!!! what is the total width of your built in office, each desk area, and the drawers in the middle. Do you find there is enough personal desk space for each person? I have just over 6′ total width and want a similar layout. Also, what are the depth of your shelves? Did you use the actual Decor desktops or the Decor shelves for your desk? If you used the Decor desktops, does the color of the Sand melamine inlay match the Birch shelf color? If you used a Decor shelf for the desktop how does it hold up to a student using the surface for writing. Thank you

    Reply
    • Natalie Gallagher says

      January 24, 2020 at 11:56 am

      Julia – The desk space served as a homework station for each of my kids. I say “served” because we’ve since moved and broke up the Elfa system into 2 separate desk/shelf systems and rebuilt them in each of my kids’ bedrooms (with my daughter getting the middle section with extra desk space/shelving + drawer system simply because she sits at the desk far more than my son sits at his). The desk space has been more than adequate for my kids.

      We used the actual decor desktops (not shelves). The tops of them are a different material than the sand melamine (which threw me at first), but they coordinate just fine. Fastforward almost 3 years later and the desktops still look brand new. Full disclosure, I did purchase a desktop protector for all of the desk surfaces, so that has definitely helped preserve their “pristineness”.

      The dimensions of each desktop can be found in the plan drawings above in the post (16″ x 36″). Totally adequate for kids’ homework area IMHO, but it would be too small for my own home office use. Your best bet is to work with a Container Store Elfa Designer (either in store or online). They were super helpful in fleshing out my final design.

      Reply
  3. Shanice Bannis says

    November 19, 2017 at 3:34 pm

    I am so obsessed with this space. That wallpaper is everything. Perfectly perfect!

    Reply
    • Natalie Gallagher says

      November 19, 2017 at 11:02 pm

      Oh my goodness, thanks Shanice! Would you believe that’s it’s actually a wall stencil, and not wallpaper?! For a little sweat equity and the cost of the stencil, you too can create a similar focal wall. Click here for the info

      Reply
  4. Andrea says

    October 29, 2017 at 11:59 pm

    Oh I love the way this looks. I was worried about adding shelves over my stenciled wall (that it would look too busy) but you have really proven that it works. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Natalie Gallagher says

      October 31, 2017 at 9:50 am

      awesome Andrea!

      Reply
  5. tim@designmaze says

    October 26, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    amazing!! love how the wall mounting hardware disappears into your walls and the shelves look like they are floating! STill crazy about the stencil work and that blue chair … BRAVO!

    Reply
    • Natalie Gallagher says

      October 27, 2017 at 11:12 am

      Awwww, thanks Tim!! Feedback like this helps to keep moving the needle forward on this space…

      Reply
  6. Kristen says

    October 26, 2017 at 12:42 pm

    Love it! I am still drooling over your stenciled wall – it is that cool. And the desk and storage system looks great floating over it. Such a great homework space – can’t wait to see it when the shelves are filled!

    Reply
    • Natalie Gallagher says

      October 26, 2017 at 2:18 pm

      You are too kind Kristen! I hope my kiddos love it as much as we do 🙂

      Reply
  7. Rachel / Pencil Shavings says

    October 26, 2017 at 8:29 am

    Ok, the photo of your stenciled wall and new Elfa storage stopped me in my tracks. It looks SO GOOD. I love the Elfa stuff but I’ve never pulled the trigger on any of the wall systems. Does it shift around a lot since it’s not bolted in place to the wall in several places? I had no idea it was only attached at the top.

    Reply
    • Natalie Gallagher says

      October 26, 2017 at 8:52 am

      Thanks a million Rachel! As far as the wall system shifting, the answer is No (I know, surprising, right?). The shelving/standards are sufficiently heavy that the weight of the system alone keeps it stationary. Once you add the weight of the items you’re storing on the shelves, it’s even more solid. Take the plunge!

      Reply

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