Primary Bedroom Closet Makeover with Container Store Elfa

You know how people tell you to always buy the real thing and not the knock off? Well, they’re not just talking about designer bags, I can promise you that. When we moved into our home, we were very aware it would be a renovation project. What I wasn’t privy to was the fact that our dreamy, walk in master bedroom closet was going to be part of our to do list. At first glance, the closet appeared to be an Elfa masterpiece. As I started moving the shelves around to better fit our needs, I learned that my dreamy Elfa closet was only partially the real thing. And so began my quest for a primary bedroom closet makeover.

Primary Bedroom Closet Makeover with Container Store Elfa

In this post you’ll see the knock off Elfa products that we inherited, the design process with Container Store and the final master bedroom closet makeover! The process is truly a breeze with the help of the Container Store closet design team. I can’t wait to slowly make over every closet in our home!

Knock Off Elfa Products

Part of the greatness that is Elfa is that you are supposed to be able to easily move shelves, drawers, etc, around. Easily being the key word here. When I started moving pieces around, I struggled. My hands got a little bloody. I made lots of loud noises trying to strong arm some shelves off one side of the wall to move them to the other. It was a disaster. I couldn’t even get one long piece of hanging rack put back up. Too. Much. Hassle. I left it laying against the closet and figured “one day” I would figure out why I couldn’t easily put it back together.

One day turned into weeks, which turned into months, which turned into me finally realizing something wasn’t right. Everything looked like Elfa products from Container Store, but after further investigation I realized that wasn’t truly the case. Imposters! The people who lived at the house before us were known to cut corners (plenty of stories here), but did they really buy non Elfa pieces to finish off the closet? How rude!

Invest in the Real Deal

Something needed to be done. I would never be able to truly be organized with the make-do closet. I toyed with buying new pieces from Container Store to replace the knock offs… But at the end of the day I decided that a whole new closet made more sense. The closet was functional for us, but it wasn’t the right design. We had lots of wasted space and if we were going to invest in something, we might as well make it our own. After all, we’re going to be here for awhile…

Master Bedroom Closet Makeover “Before” Photos

As you can see, our closet has a lot of potential, and right now that potential is wasted. There is so much unused space through the primary bedroom closet. The layout is not functional to our needs. Visually, it’s cluttered and chaotic. The goal of working with Container Store is to create function, reduce visual clutter and create something that can grow with us as our needs change.

Elfa Closet Design Process with Container Store

Working with Container Store was such a true joy. Amy at the Northwest Highway Container Store location contacted me to set up my design appointment. She asked me for photos of the current space and to come prepared with measurements of everything (floor to ceiling, wall length, where light switches were located, which way the door swings, etc) and a list of what we like + what we need. I was on a mission to be the most prepared student Amy had ever met!

In Store Design Meeting with Container Store

Meeting with my closet designer Amy was like meeting a long lost friend, who just so happened to love organizing. She was friendly, professional and asked all of the right questions. Through our conversations, Amy figured out exactly what Austin and I needed to make the best use of our space. Which, by the way, is a super awkward master bedroom closet space. Our master closet is long and skinny: it spans the entire length of our bedroom and is only around 5 feet wide.

(Master Bedroom Closet Dimensions: 37″ (starting to the left of the door) x 27″ x 32″ x 36″ 197″ x 62″ x 164″ (ending at the right side of the door)

The meeting from start to finish took around two hours. While Amy created the Elfa master bedroom closet design using Container Store’s innovative cad program, I explored the store for the “extras” that would be needed to finish the closet. If you haven’t wandered around Container Store, you’re doing life wrong. I found so many bins, hangers, jewelry organizers– and even non closet products that I just knew would be part of our closet. Also didn’t hurt to see signs that Closet Essentials were 25% (through May 19th, 2019).

Elfa Master Bedroom Closet Install

You have two options when it comes to completing your master bedroom closet makeover: do it yourself, or hire the Container Store team to complete the install for you. Although I do a lot of projects myself, I went the route of having it professionally installed. The pallet of products arrived the day before my closet installation appointment– pro tip: have your garage ready to accept the pallet.

The closet installation appointment took a few hours, but literally the only thing I did was answer two questions. The installer comes fully prepared with all of the tools needed, the design and a plan to put it together efficiently.

Free Elfa Closet Install

You heard that right! From now until June 30, you can receive free Elfa installation on Elfa purchases greater than $750. If you’re reading this after June 30, 2019, check Container Store’s website to see if there is any special happening! Even if you have to pay for it… worth every penny!

Master Bedroom Closet Makeover Reveal

Here’s a sneak peek at what the finished master bedroom closet makeover looks like… We are thrilled to have a functional walk in closet that fits our needs and is aesthetically pleasing. But honestly, my favorite part of the new closet is that if I decide I want to move anything around, I won’t end up with torn up hands trying to manhandle it! The closet is the real deal.

If you’re looking for more closet storage tips check out these posts for sweater storage ideas and the best way to store swimsuits.

If you want more details on the finished look, head over to ContainerStore.com.

Thank you so much to The Container Store for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.