Question: I have two of these monstrosities in my front room. What funky ideas do you have for me to decorate the IKEA PAX doors, so they put a smile on my face?
How can I make these cupboards into something more attractive?
~ by Susanne
Hi Susanne
I’m glad you asked. Every IKEA lover must own at least one of the handy PAX wardrobe doors. You call them “monstrosities”, but I love their versatility and how they act as plain canvases for my hacks!
How to Make IKEA PAX Doors More Attractive
My ideas range from easy to more challenging. So, whether it’s your first time trying an IKEA hack or you’re an experienced handyman, you’ll find something for your skill level.
That said, go ahead and attempt something fabulous. If you screw up the doors, you can always pick new ones up at IKEA.
Let’s get started with the simplest hacks first:
1. Change the Hardware
One of the simplest upgrades is to add a new set of door handles or knobs. This might seem like an insignificant change, but you’ll be surprised by how elegant your PAX doors will look.
The best part is that this hack is as easy as could be. Just remove the plastic handles you have and go for the handles of your choice.
Abigail Ahern made these handles with strips of wood painted hot pink. It’s not hard to make a set if you have the right tools.
Alternatively, you can also buy extra long wood handles like these on Etsy. For a cozy look, leave them natural, or use spray paint if you prefer the eclectic feel.
Photo: Image by Graham Atkins Hughes via Design Sponge
Brass pull rings are also the perfect way to spruce up your PAX doors. They’re available everywhere, providing minimalist decor on a budget.
Photo: AndChristina.com
2. Adhesive Wallpaper or Contact Paper
The days of messy wallpaper paste are over. wallpaper has transformed the game. So, why not take on this simple project to transform your PAX doors?
Photo: Seasons In Colour
There are numerous designs to choose from. Then, simply measure the doors and get as many rolls as necessary.
You’ll need to start with a well-cleaned and dry surface. From there, cut out the wallpaper and stick, pressing the paper firmly with a plastic card or squeegee.
A little hack: make sure to cut a larger strip of wallpaper than you need. This way, you’ll stick the paper into the edges of the door, and your DIY project will last longer.
If there’s excess wallpaper, don’t worry! Just cut off the excess edges with a Xacto knife, or fold them onto the sides of the door.
3. Fabric Cover
Hit two birds with one stone with this simple hack. A fabric cover is the perfect eye-catching feature, particularly great for your front room.
According to the tutorial in Around the House, you’ll need the following:
- Fabric
- Sheets of MDF or foam boards
- Gorilla Glue
Cut the MDF to the size of the PAX doors, with an inch margin all around. Next, wrap the fabric around the MDF and glue it down at the back of the boards. Once your fabric panels are finished, glue them using heavy-duty construction adhesive onto the PAX doors. Lastly, enjoy your art piece.
Photo: Around the Houses
4. Upgrade With a Mirror
One of my favorite IKEA hacks of all time is creating a mirrored effect with BERGSBO doors. Mirrors can spruce up these doors in seconds.
Fortunately, Jenny Komenda was able to recreate a similar mirrored PAX door, and I was barely able to tell the difference.
Photo: Jenny Komenda via Domino
To recreate a similar look on flat PAX doors, I’d suggest LOTS mirrors. These mimic the paneling of BERGSBO doors. Stick the mirrors onto the door, and you’re done.
You can also add strips of wood trims around the mirror. For an elevated look, make sure to paint the door and trim first.
5. Cane Weave on Doors
If mirrors aren’t your thing, why not go for a rustic aesthetic? I adore cane webbing for a one-of-a-kind look. Burlap also makes for stunning paneling on your PAX doors.
6. Add Texture
A padded wardrobe door can look and feel luxurious. It’ll have your guests shocked that you have a simple IKEA door.
Well, all you have to do is use embossed panels like this. For an even more unique look, acoustics foam panels will do the trick.
Photo: Apartment Therapy
7. Add Trim
If you like the vintage vibe, this hack is perfect for your PAX wardrobes. Kevin and Sarah transformed theirs into a built-in with lots of delightful, yet budget-friendly, touches.
Adding a trim on the doors will significantly upgrade them, while still maintaining the minimalist feel. See the hack here.
8. Farmhouse Style
If you are good at calculating angles, these criss-cross doors are a must. Keep in mind that you must have basic carpentry skills, as you’ll need to work with a table saw and thin strips of plywood. See the tutorial.
Photo: Jenna Sue Design
9. Chevron Doors
Technically, this chevron design is on a PLATSA door, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t apply to your PAX doors. The project might be challenging, but the result is worth it.
Steph and James ripped MDF into strips, and then used a miter saw to cut the 45-degree angles. Afterward, they glued the strips on the doors and finished with paint. See the tutorial.
The great thing is that you can tailor the design to your taste. Instead of chevrons, you can go for shiplap style, as diamonds or squares. The sky’s your limit.
10. Paint a Mural
For me, this is definitely the hardest hack on the list, as I can’t paint to save my life. If you’re more artistic, this will be the perfect project.
Stacey painstakingly reproduced the mural on the doors by hand. However, there are easier ways to do this.
Vintage Revivals has a superb tutorial on transforming a mural design into a paint-by-numbers art. So, even beginner painters like myself can transform their wardrobes into art pieces.
Simple IKEA PAX Doors Hacks
IKEA PAX doors are great products on their own. Naturally, you might not want to completely change them by painting them or gluing panels.
In this case, the following hacks are for you:
Stickers and Appliques
Instead of gluing wallpaper to your door, why not glue simple stickers to your doors? For example, you can create numerous geometric designs using these metallic strips. On the other hand, you can transform the doors into classic pieces with these appliques.
Picture Wall
Picture walls are an excellent way to keep your memories as well as decorate your home. It doesn’t have to be a wall, though. Instead, hang your Polaroid pictures on the plain PAX doors.
Decorate the Room
Your PAX doors might seem like an eyesore simply because there are no other eye-catching features in the room. Decorate your room with a lot of plants and paintings, and the simple doors will just disappear into the background.
IKEA PAX Doors Alternative Hacks
If you absolutely dislike your IKEA PAX doors, you can hack them into something completely different. Just check out the following:
1. Apartment Partition
If you need an extra bedroom in your apartment or just want to divide your living space, IKEA PAX doors can double as partitions.
This hack requires some elbow grease, but it’s easier than you think. Once you build the frame, you can secure the PAX doors in seconds.
2. Hallway Closet
We previously created a hallway closet using BERGSBO doors and a PAX closet frame. Well, you can similarly hack the PAX doors into a closet by securing the frame to the back wall and assembling the doors as you usually would. It’s that simple!
3. Full-Length Mirror
IKEA PAX VIKEDAL also doubles as a full-length mirror. This means that the plain PAX doors act as a mirror frame.
Just get a plain mirror, or the IKEA LÄRBRO, and glue it to the PAX doors. Make sure to use gorilla glue for optimal hold. Then, you’ll have an excellent mirror at a fraction of the cost.
Now, Susanne, I hope you found what you were looking for! Tell us which is your favorite way to hack your IKEA PAX doors, and don’t forget to share your finished project with us.
Happy hacking,
Jules.