In the two homes I've lived in, I've used the IKEA PAX wardrobe for my closet space. They store a ton and have lasted me for well over a decade. My personal review for the PAX wardrobe is 5 stars! (IKEA website: 4.5 stars). In my books, the IKEA PAX system is excellent. Even though it may be particleboard, it's worth every penny. When combined with its many interior fittings, the PAX closet is a clothes storage powerhouse for every kind of attire and accessories. Besides that, it is so hackable! Skip the Guide and jump right into the latest IKEA PAX wardrobe hacks.
What I love is how versatile and customizable the PAX wardrobe is. It's a storage solution that caters to every individual's needs and preferences. With options for size, color, style, sliding or hinged doors, and interior closet organizers, the PAX system ensures that clothes storage is not only practical but stylish as well.
Another good thing: IKEA provides a 10-year limited warranty on the PAX Wardrobe, covering their frames, doors, hinges, shelf inserts, and sliding doors and sliding door mechanisms. For the complete coverage details, check out the warranty details on the IKEA website.
However, from my chat with friends, I often find them stumped on how to start planning their wardrobe, as the IKEA PAX involves many individual parts. I assure them with a little patience, their dream closet is a few clicks away. And it really is! Let me share a few tips on PAX wardrobe planning.
The first place to start is the IKEA PAX Planner. This online 3D tool is fairly intuitive. All you need to do is measure your space and input the dimensions. Then, drag and drop the different cabinet modules into the design area. At the end of the planning process and you have your complete wardrobe layout, hit the "Finalise" button and the Planner will give you a summary of items. You can then either order the items online or take this list to the nearest IKEA store.
Before you get to that final steps, you need to make a few more design decisions.
Height of room:
Measure the height from floor to ceiling. Then, decide on the height of the IKEA wardrobe. The PAX wardrobe frame is available in 2 heights:
Length of wall:
Then consider the length of the wall you want to place the PAX. Use the different frame widths to span the length you need. The PAX is available in 3 widths.
Pro Tip: You may not be able to use sliding doors with certain width combinations, eg. a combination of two frames measuring 19 5/8" (50 cm) and 29 1/2" (75 cm) will not fit the sliding door rail that spans either 59" or 78 3/8" (150 cm or 200 cm).
Corners:
To continue the Pax Wardrobe round a bend, use the excellent PAX corner wardrobe option. The space in the corner wardrobe is slightly larger. It lets you maximize storage and is great for bulkier items.
Once you have the basic modules settled, you can then move on to the fun bits of selecting the finishes for the cabinets like a white, grey or beige finish for your PAX frame. Next, focus on the doors. First, choose between sliding and hinged doors.
When opting for hinged doors, ensure there's sufficient clearance in height (an extra 1/2 inch) and enough space in front of the wardrobe for the doors to open fully.
For the sliding doors, there are two versions. One option is an aluminum frame with individual slot-in panels. The other is a solid door. Both need the sliding door track installed at the top and bottom of the wardrobe frame to work.
When choosing sliding doors for a PAX wardrobe, it's important to allow for the required clearances in ceiling height (2 inches extra) and width.
Then, choose your handle and knob options to complement the PAX doors. Many choose to get handles and knobs from other sources for a more personalized look.
Leave the doors out if you're constructing a walk-in closet.
The strength of the IKEA PAX wardrobe lies in its interior organizers. IKEA offers adjustable shelves, drawers, shoe racks, clothes rails, space dividers, and pull-out trays to help you organize your storage space exactly the way you want it.
The IKEA PAX wardrobe system also offers specialized storage solutions for jewelry and accessories. Trays can be easily added to keep things organized.
Pro Tip: Due to the placement of the hinges, you won't be able to cannot install drawers at the lowest section of the frame. Use a pull-out mesh basket for this section instead. Mesh baskets provide excellent visibility, ventilation, and easy access to your belongings.
I like these strip lights with sensors. They light up automatically when you open the IKEA closet doors. No more fumbling in the dark to look for your #OOTD.
And just like that, your PAX wardrobe planning is done. But, if you want to take it to another level, you'll need to hack your IKEA PAX wardrobe.
One of the key elements to enhancing an IKEA Pax wardrobe is adding personalized touches. For instance, painting the wardrobe to match your room's color scheme can instantly transform it into a custom-built piece. Additionally, consider adding unique handles or knobs to make the wardrobe stand out and reflect your personal style.
Make your IKEA PAX units look high-end by adding crown molding and trim, giving them the appearance of a built-in wardrobe. To achieve this home improvement hack, measure the closet's perimeter and then purchase the appropriate size and type of crown molding or trim. Attach the molding and trim using a combination of glue and nails, ensuring they are aligned correctly. Caulk the seams for a smooth finish.
Pro tip: When selecting your crown molding, make sure it matches or complements the existing trim and baseboard in your room for a seamless appearance.
Hacking the PAX doors is also a surefire way to personalize the IKEA PAX closet system. Changing just this one thing often leaves people commenting, "What? This is IKEA?"
IKEA PAX wardrobe hacks are not limited to making IKEA PAX closets with a built-in look. The wardrobe units can be transformed and used all around the house such as in the entryway and guest room to hide a Murphy Bed.
You can avoid potential issues such as sagging shelves or an unstable frame, with tips from this article on resolving common problems with the IKEA closet system.
Read on for more inspiration and DIY ideas to create your ideal IKEA PAX wardrobe.
Materials: Pax wardrobe doors, barn door track and hardware, printed graphic imageDescription: We created a series of open rooms in a design studio but wanted a way to screen them off when clients came in to hide contents, cover up messes, create a bit of optional privacy, etc. We decided…
Materials: PAX Wardrobe, bungee cord, PVC tubing, screws, 2x4Description: I hacked a PAX wardrobe and turned it into an 8-foot tall stuffed animal zoo for my daughter’s nursery. Here’s the step-by-step: (1) Assemble the wardrobe and add in any shelves or drawers that you wanted to add. (2) If you…
Materials: PAX VIKEDAL mirror doorDescription: To build a low budget big surface, distortion-free and easy to handle mirror, you need … – PAX VIKEDAL mirror doors – a set of top hat rails – straight wooden slats – screws (and screw anchors) – cloth pads – appropriate tools Get ready…
Materials: PAX wardrobesDescription: I love how functional and flexible the IKEA PAX units are, but I don’t like the look of having a big wardrobe sitting in my bedroom. I do however love the look of custom built-ins, so using the PAX as the foundation pieces, I built two shallower…
Materials: PAX wardrobe doorDescription: I got a PAX door in AS-IS for $10. I needed natural light in my kitchen, so I removed the drywall at 1″ less than the door size to find the best place for my window. There was only on passible, so I used art tape…
Materials: Komplement chest of drawers, Solveig panel, Lack shelf, Pax corner add-onDescription: I moved into a basement apartment that didn’t have any closet space or space to apply makeup etc. Being a fairly girly girl I wanted to have a closet *palace* not just a closet. I already had three…
Materials: Malm BedBoard 140cm, Pax Nexus 50x236Description: Pax are drilled in order to create an integrated bedside table. Aluminum angles to hide the cuts. 5cm wedges are fixed between the wall and the headboard and neon lights are placed vertically on each side. Patches of semi-transparent plastic are inserted into…
Materials: 2 Pax Doors, Hinges, Hard Foam Insulation, Door Handle, Nuts & Bolts Description: I love Pax doors. They are cool, sleek and inexpensive. I picked up these Pax doors on clearance at my local Ikea. I wanted to make them into a swinging door for my utility closet in…
Materials: 3 Pax Wardrobes and Birkeland Doors Description: Thanks to all previous hackers for their advice and pictures. It inspired us to save $7K on ‘custom’ closets and give it a go with PAX. Worked out great…for $1K. 1) Build the base. This is primarily to get the closet level…
Materials: PAX cupboard, wallpaper, wallpaper glue, drilling mashine, jigsaw, SKURAR plant pot, slide, MDF or plywood boardDescription: I’ve transformed an old PAX wardrobe into a home office. Before putting up the wallpaper, the doors have been dismounted. I’ve used one of the shelves as the desk, fixing it on 75…
Materials: Pax Tonnes, Malm ChestsDescription: My wife and I recently purchased a Dutch Colonial home built in the early 1900s. Due to its age, the house lacks storage space, especially in the bedrooms. The Gambrel-style roof (characteristic of domestic Dutch Colonial architecture) rendered large triangular volumes on either side of…
Materials: Pax + KitchenDescription: I’ve added two Pax shelves with glass door on top of a kitchen to increase the stocking space and added lights below the Pax shelves. I’ve also used the Fastbo wall panels to cover the kitchen side wall.~ Yaniel Cepero, Italy
Materials: Besta Rails, Shower Clamps, Ikea cabinet handle, Plexiglas sheets Description: Removed all conventional doors in my house. I hung 70″ BESTA rails ($25)over the door openings. I then used shower door clamps ($6.each) to slide into the Besta railing. I had my local plastics company cut me a 1/2…
Materials: PAX Wardrobe frame (black-brown), KOMPLEMENT Shelves (50cm and 100cm), PAX FARDAL Door (high gloss white), SÄTTA Knob (transparent)Description: As we wanted to get rid of our old bedroom and wanted more space to hang and lay our clothes I (after consulting my wife of course) decided to plan 5…
Materials: Pax, Table saw, Hammer, Description: Pretty straight forward hack. I just cut the bottom of the PAX off and set it on a recessed base. Instead of using that glorified cardboard back board that comes with the PAX I installed 5mm tempered glass to match the sliding door glass.…
Materials: PAX BERGSBO,STOLMEN,Description:I divided this studio by using the PAX BERGSBO as panels and the Stolmen as supporting columns, to create a bedroom area, and give the unit some depth. Came out good and got alot of compliments. I also mounted the TV on a Pax wardrobe.Mounted the TV to…
Materials: IKEA CLOSET CORNER UNIT; saw, drill, level, nails, hammer, etc…Description: After knowing we are expecting a second baby boy and since our 3 years old is still in the crib (ops!!!); we decided that was time to plan a new bedroom for the oldest, living the nursery room to…
Materials: Pax, Elga, Besta rail, Faktum Harlig Description: I wanted to close a storage area in the bedroom. I used some Pax doors as fixed elements, 2 Elga doors as sliding doors. The rail is a Besta rail (180cm) assembled on a wood frame. Fabric on the doors hides the…
Materials: PaxDescription: This hack helped divide an upstairs loft from downstairs living room. It provides privacy, also it is somewhat temporary and not a huge install like that of putting in a full stud framed wall with drywall, plus this looks much more appealing and can be used for any…
Materials: Malm, Pax, l-brackets, plumbing strapsDescription: My husband and I purchased a 1960’s split level that has relatively little closet space and small bedrooms. In the “master” bedroom, we used two Malm nightstands that we already owned, took them apart and mounted the drawers to the wall as bedside stands.…