This customized drawer unit from the Container Store was one of the most practical purchases I've made for my small apartment

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The Container Store Instagram

White mesh drawers, casters, and a butcher block on top.

• The Container Store is the place to go for great organizational tools and storage units.
• When looking for a nightstand for my small city bedroom, I ended up searching there and found the Elfa Mesh Closet Drawer System (from $100).
• While it's not technically a nightstand, I customized this unit so it's the perfect size next to my bed. It works as a nightstand, storage unit, and great way to maximize space in a small area.
• While it cost more than I would spend on a nightstand, it's a multipurpose unit I know I can make good use of for years to come

Being in my twenties in New York City, I know that the apartment I'm in now won't be mine forever. That's why, when I first moved in, I decided to prioritize buying pieces that are particularly functional, rather than ones that just look good. That fact - plus a small room and closet situation - prompted me to search for a nightstand that could serve double duty and provide some extra storage. My search led me to the epicenter of all things storage: The Container Store. There, I designed my own Elfa Mesh Closet Drawer System and it's probably one of the smartest purchases I've made for my apartment.

The Elfa Mesh Closet Drawer System

Elfa is exclusive to The Container Store, known for its best-selling closet solutions that maximize space and make organizing easy. The Mesh Closet Drawer System is a free-standing storage unit with a frame made with Elfa's signature, durable, epoxy-bonded steel, and filled with finely-woven mesh drawers that can hold all sorts of products, even really little ones.

You can choose to purchase a pre-made unit or customize your own with specific dimensions for what you're looking for. Whether you choose to make your own or go for the ready-made option, you can pick from an all-white or a classic silver mesh.

I chose to make my own unit to be sure it would fit in my room. Elfa has a custom drawer planner online, which guides you through the customization process and helps you see what the unit will look like in real time. Here's a quick overview of how you can customize the unit:

1. Pick a color: The options are easy, white or silver. The silver definitely has a more industrial look, so I went for white.

2. Pick a height: Options range from 17.5 to 81 inches tall. The taller you go, the more storage you can get. I chose a 29-inch unit, which works perfectly as a bedside table next to my 1- inch bed frame and 10-inch mattress.

3. Pick a width: Sizes start at 10 inches (extra narrow) and go up to 22 inches (extra wide). I went for medium at 18 inches.

4. Top it off: You can cover the unit with a surface of either white melamine, driftwood melamine, a butcher block, or leave the top open. I went with the white for a monochromatic look.

5. Pick feet, labels, and stops: Choose frame feet for a unit you want to stay in place, or casters (which are like wheels) if you want more mobility. Add stops if you want to ensure your drawers never fall out. I didn't buy stops, but my unit is pushed against a wall, and I haven't had any issues with drawers coming out of the frame. I didn't add label holders, but if you're trying to get really organized, these could be a good addition.

6. Choose your drawers: Instead of S, M, L, drawers are sized as 1, 2, or 3 - indicating how many runners each drawer needs to fit in the unit. One is the shallowest drawer and 3 is the deepest. How tall you make your unit will determine how many drawers you can fit.

My 29 inch unit has 7 runners, so I filled it with one 3-runner, one 2-runner, and two 1-runners. The 3-runner is on the bottom, holding bulky items like backup toiletries and cleaning supplies. The 2-runner is in the middle, holding similar products, though it fits a tad less. The top two drawers are 1-runners, which hold paper goods and other small supplies. Ultimately, my unit cost just over $150.

Bottom Line

These drawers are not cheap, but their value lies in their functionality. With ability to customize height, width, and drawer sizes, you can easily build a system that's perfect for your storage needs. If you have the space and aren't too particular, you can make it even easier and just buy one of the pre-made systems.

The drawers make everything you put inside easily accessible, and the finely-woven mesh construction provides the perfect balance of visibility and privacy, so you can find your objects easily without putting everything on display. The neutral colors and minimal style make this unit a timeless piece that can fit in just about any room and be used for storing just about anything, making it well-worth the up-front expense.

Create your own Elfa Mesh Closet Drawer System, available at The Container Store, from $100

Get a ready-made White Elfa Mesh Closet Drawer System, available at The Container Store, from $150

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