We ended up not getting Elfa in our last apt because the 3" increments would not have maximized the space in one closet that was oddly-shaped. We also preferred the more finished-looking CA Closet-type systems. We ended up getting Easy Closets, which was a great compromise. It is fully customizable and with a coupon, priced out the same as regular price Elfa. It looked like new after several years of use, although I wonder if it would have held up so well in a pantry. I have not seen CA Closets in person, but I'm guessing it looks nicer than EC, although we had no complaints about the look of EC. Back then, CA Closets quoted us double the cost of EC. We recently moved and wanting to go "higher end," we called CA Closets again. Their quote for our walk-in closet of 17' linear feet came out to an eye-watering $7K. I priced out one of the smaller closets and once again, CA Closets came out double (actually, more than double) than EC. One benefit of custom closet makers such as CA Closets is that the work is considered a "capital improvement," meaning you can add it to the cost of your home when computing taxable gain on sale. Also means no sales tax. Easy Closets charges sales tax (at least in NY), which in reverse logic tells me that it is not considered a capital improvement, but I'm not 100% sure on this.

OOOOhhhh Laundry, I have 2 boys (3 if I count dh - and yes, I'd better), and it seems I have to do 1 - 2 loads per day, if I skip a day then the load quantity seems to compound itself! I miss our old tiny rental, the laundry was in it's own room off the kitchen and it was so much easier to keep up. Now we are in our new (dream) home and the way the layout has turned out, laundry is in the basement (along with the 2 kids's rooms) or I could have hidden it upstairs (where the big people live). Half of one or half of the other. I used to know a girl who is mom to four boys, and she said if they ever could afford a bigger home, she wanted a laundry room that could also house all the boys' clothing (in closets and dressers). They go in to dress, dump the dirty laundry, and it would be quick and easy to launder and put away since it's all in the same room. Makes sense to me, instead of carrying from bedrooms to laundry room, then back again. It will be a while before our home is completely finished, and I get shelves and drying bars in my laundry room, but I am appreciating all these new and modern ideas/accessories that I did not know were about, to aid in that chore. Thanks so much for the ideas and links.

I have a Rev A Shelf double tier heavy duty chrome pullout (they have two lines of chrome pullouts) in a cabinet for my pots and pans. In my dream kitchen they are staying. 1. Pots and pans that are heavily used eventually get "stuff" on them. I don't like putting things with "stuff"in wooden drawers. I don't like having to empty drawers for cleaning all the time. That's also why I would never have built in wooden dividers. I want to be able to lift out and wash silverware and utensil trays periodically. Lucky people who have never had a house mouse to deal with. LOL All these pretty kitchen displays don't account for real life. Mice enter, kids spill juice, pots and pans don't stay pristine, crumbs magically appear. I'm a realist. I don't have a maid and my time is better spent out having fun than cleaning my cabinetry and polishing my pots and appliances. For others it may be different. I am not suzy homemaker although I love to cook and bake. 2. The wire allows air to circulate. A pan that has a little moisture left behind after drying is no problem. 3. They are adjustable. If my cookware or storage needs change, so can they. Just last week, we put a second smaller 18" unit in another of my current elderly kitchen cabs for the dog's food. The bottom holds two giant Tupperware canisters for the kibble and the top holds a flat of canned food, a scoop and an extra bowl with room to spare on both layers. The glides used are for 100 pounds. The baskets are heavy duty but probably weigh less than a wood drawer.

debbie, thanks. i will check out ikea to see. i think they have some nice small wooden boxes that would be possible to customize into a drawer. eam, good point! maybe not the best place for paper towels, though i still have a paper towel cubby on my wish list. I was also drawn to that metal tray at the top for the soap sponges. oldbat, maybe that is why i am drawn to this pic. mrs. meyers packaging looks so nice, lol. homepro01, yeah, it could be a customized rev-a-shelf too. i like all the dividers in it and the wood back so things won't fall out. msmeow, thanks for the link! yes, those look a lot like the pic! i think those HD ones look nicer than the rev-a-shelf units, which seem more plain, lol. i like all the dividers in those pullouts and all wood too. let me know how you like the unit and how it holds up!