I purchased The Container Store's Elfa self install, L shape a few months ago. My opinion of the transaction is that I was cheated out of a few hundred dollars. Let me state the obvious that the Container Store's intentions are to sell you something. This was apparent throughout the process. I told the agent what I wanted and she handed me a buzzer; told me to talk around the store while SHE designed the space. Before this, I told her I wanted an L shaped for a small 5x5 walk in at around $1000. An L shape is only 2 walls. I came back to a design she thought I would like, at a price of $1800 (30% off included in this). This is substantially higher than what I asked for. We made adjustments and brought it down to $1600. I was told it wasn't possible to go lower without changing the entire design. Against my better judgement I went forward with the purchase. After receiving all pieces in the mail, I went over the design again with someone over the phone who told me there were a couple hundred dollars worth of pieces that weren't necessary to the design. For the bulk of the design, the original agent sold me smaller 20" shelves instead of longer 40" shelves. This caused me to need extra brackets, an entire support beam, fronters, ect.. If this was not brought to my attention, I wouldn't have had a clue that I over paid by $400. Additionally, I would have installed more pieces than necessary, and the closet wouldn't have looked as uniform due to the break up in shelving. A few weeks later, customer service emailed me with a standard protocol follow up, and I told them I wasn't happy with the purchase, solely for reasons stated above. She defended the company by saying: The Container Store was selling me "options" by giving me the extra pieces, they were leaving the closet open ended for changes if I decided necessary in the future. (adding draws, whatever). However, I was not given the original OPTION to go lower in price. So, basically what they're calling options are really just up-sell pitches. Beware of this. I still had 12 pieces that I did not need, the facia (sp?) fronters. I planned on returning. The rep told me to throw them away and she would refund the $200 for the fronters. This saved me the hassle of having to go back to the store. In a nut shell..for almost being over charged hundreds of dollars, I was spared a few dollars in gas from having to driving to the store. Nice. The closet is awesome. The quality is nice (don't get cologne or room spray on the wood, it stains). It was easy to put together minus the stickers they put everywhere (two per bracket). If you purchase this item, insist on being present while the employee designs the features. Don't let them sell you "options". Don't let them stray from the price point you decide. It's all one big sales tactic. Other than that, enjoy. **I could have went without two of the shelves as well. She really crammed in as many as possible. I guess they saw me coming.

runningplace, you describe the closets I have in this house. I regret not putting in systems. They absolutely would made better use of the space. That area under the hanging clothes if basically wasted in one of mine. The other one has shelves that are always a mess. I would have been better off with a couple of drawers to hold certan things and some shelves. Right now the space at the bottom of that closet is piled with cr@p and if I want something I have to take everthing out to reach it. So yes, figure out what you need to store and go for a system. Thanks for the article, quite informative. I'm not a collector or hoarder of things, but just getting to my stuff I need, is a hassle. While we're talking about closet organization let me throw this out. I was reading an article or something some organizer wrote and the one thing that hit home for me was one question to ask yourself about your stuff and tht is "Do you have things in your cabinets and closets that should actually be in long term storage, say in a garage?" When I read this I realized I was using my cabinets and closets for long term storage and was taking up needed space for items I use on a regular basis. jenanla, thanks for that information. I didn't realize Lowe's carried Rubbermaid. I've only been to HD to check so far. Since playing around with some systems on line, I realize the kits are the way to go, as you suggest.

Closet Maid is manufactured here in Ocala Fl where I live. In the last 2-3 years CM did some serious lowering the quality of products. My home has several closets made before the lowering quality standards. When I wanted to add a couple shelves they are now so flimsy I would not by them. If you choose/need to use CM inspect the weight load carefully- as someone else pointed out, quality of items are not what they once were.

I have had Pax closets for 10years. I don't have doors on them but I have taken than apart and rebuilt them several times as I did things in the closet. I would never use a normal closet versus the Ikea Pax. California Closet is very expensive and less flexible in my opinion. I would use one of the Italian systems from Minotti but those were about half the value of my house:-) My master closet is a galley with two 6foot long sections with 24" deep by 96" tall Pax systems. They hold a ton of stuff. There are similar sized systems in the other bedrooms. I have kids that spend the summers with me and they have never damaged these systems. The drawers pull out easily and I have added some updates like the valet rods and Hafele pull down closet rod. I love the pull out shelves for my shoes. I have a small number of shoes:-) The other update I was looking at is some interior lighting for the units using LED strips. I know you decision is made but there is some misinformation about the PAX system. There are a ton of door options and even inserts from non Ikea sources. At roughly $90 for the box, it really can't be beat for value. There are some size constraints but most closets can support the Pax units. Some Pax fronts that are super cool: SuperFronts From Remodelista Good luck!