Elfa Classic 4' White Reach-In Clothes Closet Is Durable

Since moving into our new home, I knew I wanted to organize my son’s walk-in closet space with a customizable system like the Elfa Classic closet system sold by The Container Store. As someone who follows more professional organizers on social media than I’d liked to admit, I knew I had a lot of unused space and wanted a system with multiple components, like drawers.

I also wanted a system to change as my son’s and our family’s needs changed. After some research, the Elfa system seemed like the perfect fit because it offered the kind of flexibility I was looking for. Also, since this would be used in a child's room, it would need to be durable. This system also promised an easy installation process.

To start, I removed all of my closet’s existing built-in shelving and measured the space. Based on the layout and my needs, I landed on the pre-designed Elfa Classic 4' White Reach-In Clothes Closet. It seemed to tick off all the boxes, and I could skip the custom in-store consultation.

It took my husband and me a few hours to install the system; then, I loaded in the bins, labels, hangers. I neatly filled the closet with my son’s clothes and personal items the next day.

Since installing the Elfa system, I’ve found I have much more functional space in the closet. The layout is great. Getting my toddler dressed in the morning and putting away clean laundry has been much easier. The drawers and shelves are at an optimal height that makes it easy for me to see and access everything. Since everything is slightly lifted off the ground, I feel like the closet floor space is maximized. I even added a stylish rug.

We have high ceilings and a plumbing hookup in the closet, and I like that we were able to adjust our installation considering these restrictions. Admittedly, I wouldn’t choose the Elfa for its looks and aesthetic, but for a kid’s closet, it’s steel and mesh construction is fine. I like the mesh drawers because you can see what’s in them when you need something, but there’s enough coverage to hide the things you don’t want to see.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How easy is it to install this closet?

For starters, you will need internet access. The pieces for the Elfa Classic Closet arrived in 2 weeks in seven different boxes—and there weren’t any instructions in any of the boxes. We managed to figure out everything using the installation manual online and referring to the link of our pre-made design.

I’m surprised we didn’t receive any instructions specific to the pre-made design layout or particularly about each component. I know Elfa's concept is that all pieces are meant to be interchangeable with any closet or design, but we would have liked a little guidance on how to start and what to expect without having to go online to get it.

If a closet installation is not your thing, you can get someone to install the closet for you through The Container Store.

What’s included in this pre-made design?

The Elfa Classic 4' White Reach-In Clothes Closet is made for a closet at least 51 inches wide and includes a full length hanging rod, two full-length ventilated shelves, five Elfa mesh drawers, and five half-width ventilated shelves. Mine were all white.

I love that one of the mesh drawers is half the others' size, and I’ve found it to be a great solution for smaller items that I reach for often, like socks, undergarments, and accessories. The medium-sized drawers with built-in wheels are nice and deep, and I haven’t had any problems gliding them in and out each day. To elegantly store other items, especially small things that would fall through the ventilated shelves' cracks, I purchased some matching bins and boxes.  

Is the Elfa Closet system durable?

I haven’t been using the Elfa system long enough to tell exactly how it will hold up over time, but after three weeks, I’m impressed by its heavy-duty construction and ability to support heavy loads. All of the components are made of highly epoxy-bonded steel. One of our ventilated shelves arrived with a bent wire. After a call to customer service at The Container Store, it was replaced. The good thing about the Elfa system is that if you have any problems or questions, you can take advantage of The Container Store’s return policies, customer service, design consultants, and product warranties.

One of my least favorite things about the Elfa system is how unstable some components and accessories can feel. The only component installed on your wall (or that requires tools) is the single top track. This is good because changing the system around is relatively easy, but bad because the Elfa never quite achieves that sturdy feeling.

For example, the hanging standards (bars running downward) are not secured to the wall and can move, sway, and shake as you install other pieces. Similarly, the hanging clothing rod holders tend to lean in either direction when the rod is pushed. Admittedly, the more weight we added to shelves and rod, the more sturdy everything seemed, but it still felt unsteady. Since nothing is really screwed into the walls using and moving things around in the Elfa closet can also get noisy. The drawers are not soft close, and there is a lot of metal clanging, squeaking, and moving when you’re shifting things, adding parts, or using the closet.

Is the Elfa worth the money?

The Elfa Closet system is expensive; its value lies in its unlimited customization and configuration. If you compare it to a fully customized built-in from a contractor or closet company, it's a bargain.

Looks-wise, this closet is all function, no flare. The Elfa system has upgrades you can make to give it more style, but in general, it’s a pretty bare-bones system and doesn’t look like something a closet company would install. It’s worth the money if you want customizable options for your space, but you don't want to spend on a custom job.

Elfa Classic 4' White Reach-In Clothes Closet vs. The Little Seeds Grow with Me Closet System

The Little Seeds Grow with Me Closet System is a sturdy closet system with many configurations available, and it can grow with a child. As a child’s clothes get bigger, you can make more room by removing each of the five hanging rods. The shelves are also adjustable. It’s much cheaper, about $250, but it is constructed from lower-quality materials, such as laminated particleboard. Assembly is also more difficult and time-consuming. But, if the price is an issue, this option is probably your best bet. Its five adjustable closet hanging rods can also expand from 48 to 96 inches wide, a nice perk that the Elfa doesn't have.

We purchased the Elfa Classic 4' White Reach-In Clothes Closet so our writer could put it to the test.