Three Boys One Closet! Closet Makeover with The Container Store

We’re finally revealing all of the details of the boys room Elfa closet makeover!

When we bought our small, three bedroom home just two miles from the beach in San Diego, we weren’t expecting to have twins (we were kinda on the fence with baby #4!) Owen and Miles shared a bedroom and Graham had his own room. Our family of five fit comfortably in 1500 square feet (yes 1500 square feet!) The space was a trade-off we were happy to make to live near the beach. We knew if we had just one more baby two kids in each bedroom would be doable. Then a year later we got the surprise of our lives, were expecting twins, and suddenly the three boys needed to share a room. A small room. Organizing three kids’ clothes, shoes, and toys into one room was overwhelming, felt completely disorganized, and I knew we weren’t utilizing the space well.

And then The Container Store came in and saved us! They installed a brand new Elfa® Shelving Solution  and completely transformed the boys’ closet. Tracy from Organized Simply came and measured the old closet and then worked with The Container Store to create a closet that we LOVE.  I never thought having three boys in a small room could be so functional and well, doable! Let alone feel peaceful!

Their closet went from this…

To this….

And this….

To this….

Isn’t it incredible?

Once we had a design, The Container Store came in, took down the sliding mirror doors, and installed a custom closet solution using the Elfa Ventilated Shelves  and Elfa built-in drawers. This allowed us to get rid of a big, bulky dresser that was in the room before and free up more space! We chose the more affordable ventilated shelving with liners, which are great for a kids room! We used the Elfa decor door frames on the front of the drawers to really give the closet a finished, intentional look! Using deco storage bins and baskets makes the exposed shelving look clean as well! 

Tracy from Organized Simply  really helped make it all come together so well! Once the Elfa shelves were installed Tracy organized all of the boys’ things into the closet! Toys, clothes, shoes! I never could have done this part on my own. She is a magician and so good at what she does!

 

 A few things I learned from Tracy…

How to Organize Clothes and Toys?

•Take ALL of the toys out and organize them into themes or types of toys. Give each type of toy a basket and label them in the beginning so kids know where they go! Keep the toys they play with most in hands-reach and the special occasion toys up higher. Rotate bins around as needed to change up what they play with. 

•Take things out of original packaging or boxes and put into clear plastic bins (we did this with legos, light bright pieces, etc)

•Give each kid a memory box for  special things like artwork, keepsakes, trophies, but know they’ll be rotated out. She recommended taking a picture of it, then getting rid of it. These boxes aren’t to be a “keep all the stuff forever and fill it to the brim kind of” box. 

•Take all of the clothes out of the drawers, sort, and refold. Keep only what kids wear (unless saving for younger siblings).

•Insert drawer dividers in kids’ drawers to organize and keep socks and underwear separate, shorts and t-shirts separate, etc. 

•Place t-shirts and shorts in the drawers like you would a filing system!

•Everything should have a place. If not, GET RID OF IT. 

•Maximize closet space with shelves from floor to ceiling (like the Elfa solution does!)

The elfa closet maximized our space!

I was shocked at how much of the boys’ stuff we are able to fit in the closet! Aside from books and two small bins of cars and toys (they get played with most by Graham), everything else is stored in the closet! And if you can believe it, a couple of the top baskets are empty and several aren’t even full. We still room for more storage if needed!

Tracy recommended these memory boxes and I love that they’re up high and hidden. 

{Aside from the elfa closet makeover, THIS PRINT might be my second favorite addition to their room!!}

We needed a bed solution for the boys so we ended up buying the boys this Dorel Living Triple Bunk! So far it’s working out great (it’s just slightly difficult for me to climb up and change sheets!)! My boys have never slept under bedding so all they’re using a (cute) fitted sheet and pillows and they just sleep with a blanket their nana made them! 

Having a functional, organized closet has created a space the boys all spend more time in now! We used to have toys scattered through the house- some in their room, some in the living room, and some in the garage. I love that it’s all in one place now and that the mess is contained to the room. Cleaning up is easier as well because everything has an obvious place. This Elfa closet makeover has made their room MY favorite room in the house. Like, maybe I’m jealous. It’s just peaceful….how is that even possible for a little boys room? Let alone three?

Do You Want an Elfa Closet?

If you’re wanting to do your own Elfa closet makeover or installation, The Container Store is having their big Shelving Sale Right Now! All Shelving + Elfa Solutions are 25% off now through October! Including 25% off Elfa Installation. In select areas you can have a designer come to your home, measure your space and show you different closet design options right there in at your house. For FREE! And you can still use Traci (if you’re in SoCal) to help you organize it!

 

Boys Room Elfa Closet Makeover links: 

Efla Ventilated Shelves c/o The Container Store

White Elfa Decor Drawers & Frame Fronts c/o The Container Store

White Elfa Medium Mesh Drawers and Drawer Dividers c/o The Container Store

Petite White Wooden Hangers 

Navy & Ivory Rugby Strip Storage Bins

Navy Laguna Cotton Tapered Storage Bins

Kiva Foldable Bins (similar to denim ones in closet)

Other links:

Dorel Living Triple Bunks

Navy Oar Twin Sheets

Throw Pillows

Rug is from Home Goods