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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 homework/craft room design plan 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.
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 (I even wrote an Elfa Closet System Review).
Over the years, I’ve shared many projects that included The Container Store’s customizable Elfa storage systems, including:
So it only makes sense that THIS room makeover would include an Elfa storage solution, right?
Our Elfa Shelving System Design
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:
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 are 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 the trip to the Container Store several weeks ago. So I’ve been staring at this set of boxes for awhile now (chomping at the bit to get going on the Elfa shelving installation once the The One Room Challenge officially began).
Elfa Shelving Components for the Homework Station
Our final design consisted of three rows of Birch Elfa decor shelves, with coordinating birch Elfa desk system 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 also included a set of white Elfa 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.
Elfa Shelving Installation: Step by Step Process
Big props to the Container Store for their attention to detail and their uber-organized packaging methods. They really do make Elfa shelving installation a breeze with the detailed written instructions they provide with your order pick up, and their online DIY Elfa installation video tutorials.
Rather outsource the installation? They do offer an Elfa installation service.
You might remember from previous Elfa installation tutorials I’ve shared, the most crucial step in any Elfa shelving installation project is the Elfa top track installation step — the horizontal track that serves as the anchor point for your system.
My husband is the mastermind who figured out the optimal placement for the top track, based on:
- the height of our uprights (the vertical components that hang off the top track)
- my desire to have it centered on the wall as much as possible
- Our need to carve out clearance on the right in order to access items in the closet
- 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)
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 Elfa 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.
Now the FUN begins!
It’s time to secure the Elfa brackets (for shelving and drawers) to the uprights. Pay attention to Elfa bracket size as you work through this process. For our build, the desktops used 20″ brackets, while the shelving and drawers used 16″ brackets.
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 Elfa mesh drawers into the frames.
Voila! We have storage.
Moving onto the desk and shelf installation…
Take a peek at what Elfa Decor shelving/desktops looks like on the side:
To install an Elfa desktop or shelf, simply line up the grooves on the shelf side with the notches in the bracket and press down firmly to lock it in place.
Once we had the drawers and the desktops installed, it was time to move onto the installing Elfa shelves.
Brian repeated the process of placing brackets and locking in shelving pieces for each row of Elfa shelving.
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.
The good news is that the height of an Elfa shelf 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.
Elfa Shelving Installation Project: The Investment
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.
Modern Homework/Craft Room Progress: Week 4
Even though we only crossed off two tasks from the project To Do list, they were BIG ONES (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….
Here’s what we’ve completed so far and what remains to be done over the next few weeks:
Sell bedSell light fixtureDonate/Sell CD collectionRemove wallpaperPurchase & install new light fixtureRepair & paint wallsApply wall stencilPurchase homework zone wall shelving & desktopsPurchase desk chairsDecide on craft storage/table configuration and purchaseInstall wall shelving/desks for homework zoneAssemble 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!
- Printables for Organizing Home & Life: The ULTIMATE Organizing Printables Vault! - November 28, 2023
- Clipboard Wall Organization for Papers: Easy DIY Paper Storage! - September 4, 2023
- How to Plan a Graduation Party to Remember: The Ultimate Graduation Party Planner - May 9, 2023
Julie Briones says
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!
Natalie Gallagher says
Sounds great Julie! Thanks for stopping by!
Julia says
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
Natalie Gallagher says
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.
Shanice Bannis says
I am so obsessed with this space. That wallpaper is everything. Perfectly perfect!
Natalie Gallagher says
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
Andrea says
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!
Natalie Gallagher says
awesome Andrea!
Natalie Gallagher says
Awwww, thanks Tim!! Feedback like this helps to keep moving the needle forward on this space…
Kristen says
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!
Natalie Gallagher says
You are too kind Kristen! I hope my kiddos love it as much as we do 🙂
Rachel / Pencil Shavings says
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.
Natalie Gallagher says
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!