Today I’m revealing my new wardrobe!! I went with a customizable IKEA PAX system and it came out SO pretty~~ and thought I’d share some tips if you’re looking to build a PAX system soon, such as:

+ is the IKEA PAX worth it?
+ why I didn’t add doors
+ IKEA pandemic…things to know
+ my exact wardrobe design
+ IKEA manual error -_-“
+ my special touch!

Is the IKEA PAX Worth It?

I looked at a LOT (I’m talking hundreds) of wardrobe options (I even looked into the custom route too) and I can 100% for sure say the IKEA PAX is the way to go. Don’t bother with the hours of research, I’ve done it for you, just trust me and go with the IKEA PAX. I know some people don’t like IKEA because they think it can look cheap, but I personally like IKEA and I think the all-white PAX actually looks really, really nice (I mean, look at it!).

The customizability of the IKEA PAX is unmatched. Even if I saw another wardrobe I liked, it wouldn’t have the functionality I needed (i.e. not enough hanging space or not enough drawer space). With the IKEA PAX, you can create a wardrobe that works for you and your closet needs and you can really optimize the wardrobe space to add and organize more clothes.

Furniture is SO expensive these days but the PAX is going to be way more affordable than custom and you get way, way more out of your money. I got several custom quotes for $1-3k for a very basic wardrobe (???) so it was a no brainer to go with IKEA and be able to get all of the drawers, shelves, and hanging features I wanted. And for less money, too.

If I had to change one thing about the PAX design, I would wish it came with feet so that there could be some negative space underneath the blockade compound lol (but, I’m sure it’s safer this way). Other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing about it! Except for the doors…

Why I Didn’t Add Doors

The door options for the IKEA PAX are not great // not my taste. So for now, I’m going with the “no door,” exposed look! Eventually, I would love to get custom doors (once I’ve saved budget for them). But until then, hopefully it’s not too much of an eyesore/mess without the doors…but anyways, people usually don’t even close their sliding closet doors so I think it’ll be fine.

I was originally wanting to be bougie and get a fully custom wardrobe (which was WAY out of my budget, who do I think I am xD), but this way I’m getting the best of both worlds. I saved money on the frame/interior (and I love the inside, I wouldn’t have done it any other way) so I’m splurging on the exterior — it’s what you look at most of the time anyways. I think it’ll be a great way to hack a really elegant and expensive look for less.

IKEA Pandemic…Things To Know

I am not lying when I say this has been YEARS in the making because IKEA IS ALWAYS OUT OF STOCK due to the freakin’ COVID supply chain issues and I had to wait soooooo long for each piece, one by one. In fact, I’m still waiting on a piece to come available lol.

And the worst part…I designed this IKEA PAX way back when but I couldn’t purchase it all then because various pieces were out of stock. So as I’m stalking the freakin’ IKEA website for the pieces to come available, I see that IKEA is slowly but surely hiking their prices up, significantly!!! Every single PAX piece was inflated at least 30%. So instead of an individual piece costing $50, it now costed at least $65?! That’s probably why they don’t let you place pre-orders (so they can jack up the prices) which is so messed up! It’s also annoying because it means you have to pay multiple delivery fees for separate shipments and/or make multiple trips to IKEA. I’ve even gone all the way to the IKEA in Orange County to get some pieces.

But ya, my advice is to start your wardrobe now and 1) collect whatever components you can because it’ll be a looong process and 2) to lock in the “lower” prices now since IKEA is constantly increasing. Also, open your packages as they come and check for any imperfections right away because IKEA has updated (for the worse) their return policy.

My Exact Wardrobe Design

IKEA has this wardrobe designer called the PAX Planner and it’s really awesome. You can play around with the design to help visualize your own blueprint, or you can just use mine: LWLL9W!

IKEA manual Error

IKEA screwed me over. In the online PAX designer, it tells you exactly where to put your interiors given your unique custom design. But before I got to all of the custom interiors, I of course assembled the outer frame as per the printed manuals since frames are always as-is. We clamped our two PAX frames together using the 5th hole from the top and from the bottom, as directed by the manual, but later found out that using that 5th hole did NOT coincide with my chosen interior design 😦 To adjust, we ended up shifting everything and using the holes where the IKEA door hinges would’ve gone. It’s not a huge deal since I am going doorless/custom, but now I definitely can NOT use IKEA doors even if I wanted to…so yea, just be careful of where clamp the frames together.

My Special Touch

And lastly, my favorite part of my wardrobe, the gorgeous liners I used!!! IKEA sells grey liners for their pull-out trays which are nice because they’re felt and because they’re already sized perfectly. But, I decided to elevate and use my own liners (well actually I used a wallpaper) instead and I am OBSESSED. They’re so pretty that I don’t want to put anything on top of them because I want to see the print hehe. I lined both the top pull-out tray and the bottom pull-out tray.

Thank you so much for reading and let me know if you have any questions!

Xoxo,
Em

Btw, the hangers I got are total TRASH. I do NOT recommend the Bed Bath & Beyond hangers – I bought 6 packs and half of them came damaged and dirty. They’ve gone so downhill, it’s not wonder they’re closing down!!