Elfa drawers are often used to help organize closets.
The Elfa storage and shelving system is The Container Store's No. 1 organization system, allowing users to tailor shelving systems to fit their needs. The Elfa system has some drawbacks, though, despite its popularity. Understanding these disadvantages can help you decide if Elfa is right for your home. Does this Spark an idea?
Clutter
Elfa shelves are see-through, so even items inside the shelves need to be kept organized. This can be difficult, especially around children, as they have a tendency to simply toss items in drawers without organizing them. Also, when you're cleaning an area, you'll need to organize the items inside the shelves too, or else the room will still look cluttered.
Messy Spills
Storing any kind of liquid inside the Elfa shelves can create a mess if it ever leaks. Not only can it leak out onto the floor, but also leak into the other mesh shelves and ruin anything in them. This makes cleanup painstaking and time-consuming. Avoid placing liquid items in Elfa shelves to prevent spills, or place liquid items in plastic bags to help contain the mess if the bottle opens.
Not Childproof
While Elfa shelving systems are often advertised as great for children's items, these shelves can be hard to babyproof or childproof. Typical childproofing kits for shelves include hardware to screw into the wood or clasps that adhere to the surface. The stainless steel mesh baskets in the shelving units, however, don't have a spot for you to place a childproofing kit.
Installation
While you can purchase an Elfa freestanding kit, some models have to be attached to the wall, particularly those that work as closet storage systems. These can take some expertise and equipment to install. The Container Store offers professional installation, which increases the expense.
Expensive
While big box, discount and home improvement stores have generic-looking Elfa shelves for a relatively low price, the brand-name Elfa shelves are fairly expensive when compared to other shelving systems. A shelving system with 12 pull-out shelves of different sizes cost over $500 in 2011. An Elfa pantry system is around $1,200. These shelves receive excellent reviews, though, and reviews say that cheaper models often rust after a short time.
Tags: Elfa shelves, shelving systems, Container Store, inside shelves, items inside, items inside shelves
