The last time we talked about our closet, we showed you our plans to install IKEA’s Pax system. We used their planner online–which is a lifesaver for so many reasons, but the best part is you can change your mind and change it all around. After our initial plans, we took some of your feedback and tweaked a few other things before eventually pulling the trigger on our wardrobe system. Yesterday, we spent the better part of the day putting it together, so now our closet looks like this:
The main differences in our original plans that we showed you and what we ended up with are:
1. We nixed pull outs for shoes in favor for drawers. A few of you suggested this because they hold shoes just as well (if not better), and if we decide we don’t need as much designated shoe storage, we could always use the drawer for something else.
2. We lined up our drawers. In our initial plans, we had drawers cutting wardrobes in half, at varying heights, etc. We noticed that our inspiration photos looked neat and tidy because everything lined up, so we course corrected and we’re so glad we did.
3. Less glass shelves. We actually wanted allllll the glass shelves, but our store ended up only have the large ones in stock, so the 4 smaller sections have solid shelves. Not a purposeful difference, but it’s fine.
We made sure to make the changes we wanted to in the IKEA pax planner before heading into the store because you can make a shopping list directly from your plans which makes the actual shopping so much easier. On the list, it tells you the item number, how many, and even what aisle and bin to find it in.
From the planner, you’ll see an icon with a magnifying glass and a list next to it, click on that:
This will bring you to an itemized list of everything your plan entails. If you click on “Add products to shopping list” that is what will be most useful in store.
It looks like the list below. You can print it (I would!), email it, and check stock for the items in your order. This is where we learned that the glass shelves we wanted weren’t available so it wasn’t a huge shock when we got there. This is also helpful to bring in store and check things off as you get them–because there will likely be more boxes than you could even imagine (I think we had 55!)
Our closet is 96″ wide and 80″ deep. We started with a blank slate and worked together to build the 6 PAX wardrobe boxes, two 39″ wide ones in the center on either side, with a total of four 19″ wide boxes filling in the rest. My biggest tip here is take your time with the first one. Read the instructions carefully. Talk through it until you feel like you got it, and then the other ones will go so much faster.
Once the boxes were together and in place (we filmed the whole process and it will be live on CLJTV later on today!), Chris worked on securing them all to each other and in place while I built all the drawers.
We printed out our plans so that we could remember exactly where everything went and once the drawers were together, it all came together pretty fast (as fast as it could with three little ones wanting to help).
We have standard, 8ft, ceilings, and went with the taller 93″ wardrobes, but had to assemble them in an upright position–definitely requires two people but we’re so glad for the extra space. My side has a long section for dresses, the middle area has a double rod, and I imagine putting all my pants and workout clothes in the far area.
Chris opted for IKEA’s pants hangers, one rod with lots of drawers in the center and our laundry is tucked into the far cubby with an extra rod that will likely be used for jackets.
The best thing about IKEA’s system is it’s really customizable. Instead of going for a mirror image, we were each able to think about what we need our closet to hold. I even tucked a pull out tray for belts, sunglasses, scarfs and jewelry.
On the back wall, we want to hang a large mirror and the vintage art I bought (that inspired our whole bathroom) above it. I think it would be a nice tie-in, plus I love art in unexpected places.
Besides loading up our clothes and hanging a mirror, we still need to:
- Add crown molding to close the gap up top.
- Trim out the sides for a built-in look.
- Install the pleated shade accent light we got for the closet.
- Add baseboards.
- Swap out the floor register for something that blends better.
There were a lot of questions on Instagram about the budget for the closet. We actually chose IKEA’s Pax system because it is so budget friendly and we wanted to save some money after a few splurges in the adjoining bathroom renovation. Our total for our entire Pax design was $1584.73. Chris and I both feel like it has been the biggest bang for our buck in maybe our whole house. We’ll be sure to share more once we get it loaded up and trimmed out. I’m in organization heaven over here!
I loved reading this post! The tips for planning the layout were super helpful, and your shopping advice made the process seem a lot less daunting. Can’t wait to tackle my own Pax wardrobe installation now! Thanks for sharing your experience!
I love your drawers now all lined up! I also love the idea of show drawers instead of shelves.
– I am surprised the upper hanging rack isn’t too high. But I guess I had a double hanging rack in a closet before and it was “okay”. I think I just prefer tops to be at eye level so I can pick through them looking for the right thing. But it’s okay for jackets and that type of thing. I will have 9 or 10 foot ceilings, and was still thinking I would do the shorter ones with shelves at the top for things in bins I don’t use often. Now you have me thinking.
– Do you find the 39″ wide shelves and drawers sag at all? That is a concern I had.
– With the 19″ wide drawers, do you find that a handy width, or do you find it’s just a little too narrow to have 2 stacks of everything?
– My other concern with PAX is that the max drawer is 6 3/4″. Do you do OK with sweaters in those? I would be nice to have a deeper choice.
– I notice you didn’t use mesh drawers. Someone years ago said the glides on those weren’t the same quality, but I wondered if that was still the case. Did you look at them?
Thanks!
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I’m just now finding your post so you may not still be answering questions since it’s been a long time since this was posted. I cannot find the link to the post about adding the trim pieces to your Pax system. We are planning our closet and want to have it look as nice as yours! Thanks!
Check out this post.
Hi, how many pairs of shoes fits in your 39″ drawer?
Im planning mine now and am trying to see how I can maximize my space!!
Yours looks amazing!
Thanks!
Oh man, I could fit 15-20 in there!