rlb28 said:

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thanks for the info. they told me they provide installation, so I'll go that way.

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From what I remember, the installation was pretty expensive. Also, when I asked about what they included with the demolition of the existing shelving, they said they basically take down the existing shelving and paint only the spots where the shelves were removed with paint you provide. They don't texture or repair anything. What I was taking out was original to my 1964 home and there was no texture behind some of it. I used it as an opportunity to patch/repair/texture and put a fresh coat of paint on all walls of the closet.

installation is about 20% of total

Would definitely recommend Elfa from container store - all of our closets, pantry and laundry room have it installed. I believe they have 20% off next month so a good opportunity to save some $$.

TC09 said:

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Would definitely recommend Elfa from container store - all of our closets, pantry and laundry room have it installed. I believe they have 20% off next month so a good opportunity to save some $$.

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If you can use a hammer, a level, a drill, and a tape measure you're all set

We went to The Container Store on Friday. Of course, the one we liked was $27,000 (Laren), so we're back to square one. They are sending over a consultant in two weeks to look at a design and get us something affordable.

Got a quote from Container Store for the Avera model... $20,500. Back to the drawing board.

ELFA here too. Looks great. Works great. Easy to install and customize. Make changes later if you want. Design it yourself on their web site or go in and have them do it for you. Either works.

That's criminal.

Who would y'all recommend for a new build with his and hers closets?

Indeed we did have a few clients that elected name-brand closets in their new home designs over the decades.

Bottom Line was that they were paying for the In-House Designer, a specialist that would fill-in-the-blanks when the client got too weary to do their own homework and thinking, planning. In the end, many regretted not getting a licensed local Interior Designer (ala Aimee Allen) to help them like a friend, then get one of our top-drawer cabinet shops to build all that with superior woods, et al.

You get out what you put into a project and certainly many us don't have the time to get that involved, so out-of-town experts are elected. OK but one thought - try to get as many install areas "adjustable" so your lifestyle tweaks later are permanent mistakes/regrets. No one can read your mind and no one rally knows their lifestyle futures.

rlb28 said:

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Got a quote from Container Store for the Avera model... $20,500. Back to the drawing board.

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IKEA PAX system closets. Mine are several years old now and still look and work great.

You have a decent picture of how yours turned out and the layout? I've been slowing planning ours around the PAX system but looking for ideas.

Images are going to be a bit huge... the layout has the two closet sections facing each other off to the right once you enter the closet. There's a 31" gap to stand in between both runs and it works well. Rather than have one side of them run the length of the closet I moved the w/d from the garage into the master.

Total cost for closet materials is probably in the $1,500 neighborhood including all the random dividers and things I put in the drawers and the full length mirror. Assembly is easy if you have a cordless drill you can set to a low torque value and some allen head bits. It all goes together real quick that way.

The second image link is censored. Replace the asterisks with capital letters "F" "U" and "K"
i.imgur.com/H***zYw.jpg
The whole bed/bath project link is https://imgur.com/a/jImG1Zv

Right side (59" run):


Left side: 69" run. It's been upgraded with drawers with dividers on the far left instead of those open shelves.


View looking into the closet from the bathroom for perspective.

As a cabinetmaker, I have some disdain for designers and decorators. Frequently they put aesthetic first and function later (if at all), doing 'work' that almost anyone can do with a bit of research, and charge ridiculous money for this service...perhaps getting kickbacks in addition to an hourly rate when referring various other trades. (rant over)

Anyway, closet organization and sizing can be found easily on the internet. You can take inventory of how much crap you have; hanging stuff, long hanging stuff, drawers needed for unmentionables, folded stuff on open shelves, shoes/boots shelves...then figure out the quantity of organizers you need for each category. Open hanging units/shelves are less money, lots of drawers are nice but can get pricey.

Take some rough sizing and sketches to a cabinet shop, go through some of the material options. (Hand painted, opaque lacquer, or a clear finished wood like white oak can be fairly economical.) You may be surprised how competitive they are using far superior materials while using a local business and having someone around if something goes wrong.

To see prices north of $20k is mind boggling to me. Not a fan of those closet franchises.