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At some point in life, it becomes necessary to acknowledge that one's closet is in a state of disarray. In my case, this realization came much later than it should have - at least a decade and a half later. While I have been both inspired and shamed by the beautifully organized closets I see on Instagram, it is important to note that it is much easier to maintain an organized space when one's closet is the size of a child's bedroom. For the rest of us, it requires careful design and space-saving solutions.
This is why I became intrigued by custom closet designs. When I learned that The Container Store was offering free consultations, I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity. The Container Store has always held a special place in my heart. I have many possessions in my home that bring me joy, and I appreciate the brand's message of keeping all of that joy around while also providing it with a proper space.
The Container Store offers a free consultation with one of their closet design experts to help you create your own reach-in closet system. The designer will work with you to transform any space you desire, using your specifications and any design inspiration you may have. They promise to tackle all kinds of space challenges, from packed pantries and garages with no room for the car, to walk-in closets that you can't walk into.
With this in mind, I contacted The Container Store to find out how they recommended I customize my closet. Here is a summary of my experience.
Pre-designed closet upgrades we love from the Container Store
- The Elfa Classic 2' White Reach-In Closet for $532
- The Elfa Décor 2' Grey & Graphite Entry Closet for $496
- The Elfa Décor 3' Birch & White Reach-In Closet for $424
- The Elfa Décor 6' Graphite & Birch Reach-In Drawer Front Closet for $1218
Bringing Elfa closet design home—Designing my new closet from the Container Store
Step 1: Setting up a call with a customizable closet expert
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In order to explore the realm of customized closets, I took the initiative to visit The Container Store's dedicated webpage for custom closets. There, I proceeded to complete a concise request form for a complimentary design consultation. Shortly thereafter, I received a phone call from a Container Store design specialist named Courtney, who quickly became my trusted confidant as she would soon be privy to the inner workings of my closet.
During our conversation, we briefly touched upon my requirements and obstacles, and Courtney guided me through the process of providing precise measurements for my closet (which, incidentally, spans 10 feet by 2 feet, should you find that relatable).
Subsequently, we arranged a follow-up video chat appointment, during which Courtney would assess my closet (eliciting feelings of apprehension and trepidation on my part), and I would have the opportunity to witness the development of her design while discussing my specific needs. In the interim, Courtney would meticulously review my specifications and formulate some innovative concepts.
Step 2: Showing your design specialist your closet (and all its beautiful skeletons)
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A couple days later, Courtney and I were on video chat and she was looking in my sorry excuse for a closet. I have to say, my general attitude towards my closet has always been to toss things in and pretend they don't exist. I've come to embrace the black-hole aesthetic and was worried I was beyond help.
Courtney assured me that my attitude came from my lack of options and that I wasn't a lost cause—and she was there to show me what those options could be. To get the ball rolling, she had me verify some measurements to make sure we were fully utilizing every corner of the space, and we chatted out why my closet wasn’t working for me, how I currently use the space, and what it would take for the space to meet my needs.
She challenged me to look at my wardrobe and accessories with an analytical eye identifying them in a very matter-of-fact way in terms of how much space they took up. It was kind of crazy to measure out how many feet of space I use for different items of different lengths.
We figured out I own about two-feet-worth of long items like maxi dresses and long cardigans, and two-feet-worth of short items like cocktail dresses and shirts. We also measured out my husband’s clothes and talked about how he uses the closet differently than I do and how we could make the full space work for both of us.
There’s a little bit of psychology towards figuring the long-term satisfaction you’ll get out of a closet renovation; I was grateful for the zero-cost therapy session.
Step 3: Figuring out the base layout for the closet
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This marked the beginning of an enjoyable process. Currently, our 10-foot closet is equipped with a lengthy bar at the top, while a 6-foot dresser occupies the bottom space. Additionally, we have managed to squeeze in a few smaller plastic drawers for accessories on the sides, and I utilize the top of the dresser as a catchall for smaller items.
Regrettably, the current arrangement makes it quite challenging to hang clothes, resulting in an ever-growing pile of items that need to be hung, which I have been avoiding for days.
Courtney and I engaged in a discussion to devise a plan that would allow us to replace our current dresser with a more practical setup, find suitable places for the scattered piles currently residing on top of it, and enhance overall accessibility to our clothes and accessories.
The plan became incredibly detailed, even down to the average height of my handbag collection. Courtney utilized the design software provided by the company, and I had the opportunity to observe the process on my screen as she meticulously constructed the closet design, making adjustments and personalizing the final outcome based on my input.
Once the layout was finalized, we proceeded to select the finish options, opting for wood grain shelves and hardware that harmonized with the rest of our bedroom furniture, creating a cohesive aesthetic.
Step 4: Talking through the design options
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During our design discussion, Courtney and I explored the various customization options available at The Container Store. The company offers four distinct closet designs that cater to different size, style, and budget requirements.
The first option is the Elfa Classic, which is the base-level model. It features full steel construction and wire-basket drawers.
The second tier-price option, which we selected for my design, is the Elfa Décor. This design offers the strength and flexibility of Elfa Classic, while also incorporating the beauty of wood and deluxe options. The Elfa Décor is still reasonably priced and offers a range of attractive finishes, including wood shelves and drawers in four different colors.
The Avera collection is the next level up, boasting a built-in look and some impressive features such as built-in LED lighting and touch-opening drawers. Finally, the top-of-the-line option is the Laren, which offers thicker construction and a variety of exclusive finishes and options such as glass-front doors and LED lighting.
All four closet options are exclusive to The Container Store.
Based on Courtney's recommendation, we opted for the Elfa Décor design, which looked luxurious in our mockup and made me feel like I had mastered the art of adulting, at least in terms of having a respectable closet space.
Step 5: Committing to your closet (or saving it for later)
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Courtney sent me over a link to my completed design that I could view any time. I was told that my closet design would be mine to keep and to access forever so I could take a weekend to mull it over, six months to save up, or a few weeks to edit it and add extra features; my customized closet is there to buy or to tweak whenever I’m ready to do so. When I choose to buy, it can typically take anywhere from three days to two weeks to arrive, depending on location, delivery options, and demand.
Overall, my project ended up around $2,300 for the completed project excluding tax and delivery, but including installation. After their current promotion, my design will cost a bit over $2,700. The Container Store offers curbside pickup and does allow for a DIY installation option, which—if I were to choose those money-saving options—would have put my design at $1,999, excluding tax.
