Pinch me. This is our closet now.
And although this is a before photo, below, it’s not really THE before photo, because this room didn’t exist before! We added a ceiling/floor to a two story space and made it our closet. (Below is the music room for reference). The idea came in as we were framing the space in on stories as a bonus room and a few followers recommended making it our closet. At first I thought it was crazy because it was almost the size of our bedroom! But, by the end of the day, we were completely sold on the idea–WHY NOT MAKE IT OUR CLOSET?! And we have never turned back.Â
The base of our closet is the Ikea PAX system. Yes, this is another Ikea Pax Hack (!!) and our 3rd time using their wardrobes. (You can see our last closet here where we kept them relatively out of the box, with the exception of some crown molding and filler pieces.) Our closet now, we decided to go all out, trimming them out, painting, adding drawer fronts and hardware and a few other fun details.
Here it is now!
 
We have been diligently chronicling the process every step of the way, so if you’ve missed a how-to part of the closet coming together, check out these posts (all of the sources are listed at the bottom!)
A Before (and current) Closet Tour Where We Talk Through Our Ideas
Our Master Closet Inspiration: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue…
How to Use the IKEA PAX Wardrobe Planner + Our Master Closet Moodboard
Full Length Mirrors Aren’t Just For The Closet + Designing ours and a Roundup of Favorites
Master Closet Update: Building up the Wardrobes, and a Photoshop Rendering
Master Closet Update: Filling Holes, Adding Trim, and Nixing the Ceiling Beams
Closet Update: How to DIY Closet Shelves (for shoes etc.)
Master Closet Update: It’s All Painted!
Adding Custom Fronts to the IKEA PAX Closet System Drawers
Installing Pocket Doors in the Closet
We also put together a short video of the closet coming together from the very beginning (adding the ceiling to the music room!). It’s surreal to watch. It’s been a pretty lengthy project, but so so worth it.
Back to the closet though– I tried to group before and after photos together so you can see how the space evolved. I also put ALL of our clothes in there (although I think it would have looked better in photos to take out some of my more colorful tops, I really wanted it to be a true representation of how it looks and functions for us.
Chris and I each designed our sides of the closet. He went for mostly drawers and I went for optimal hanging space, including a whole space dedicated to a “denim bar”so I can see the character of my jeans while they are still hung. Fun fact: I usually choose what jeans I’m going to wear before my shirt!
The curtains were the last touch in the room and they truly complete it. I sent fabric (linked at the bottom) to Martha & Ash to have them made and I want them for every room in the house now. This is the most ideal spot to sit and do make-up with all the natural light! But I’ve also already finished a few blogs posts quietly from this desk–turns out, this closet is a very peaceful, beautiful place to perch.
We floated the mirror about 18″ in front of the shoe shelves (the mirror can rotate a full 360 degrees) so there’s room to easily grab any shoes from behind. But, shhh! The mirror also helps hide our less glamorous shoes. Okay, we mostly have tennis shoes.
It turned out differently than I originally imagined in my head in a good way. It’s really our dream closet and my favorite part is that it was wasted space previously. We added square footage without bumping out any walls and we gained an entire closet…or does this qualify as a dressing room!?
CLOSET SOURCES
Paint Color: Lamp Room Gray by Farrow & Ball (You can see more on painting the closet here!)
Floors: Ingrid by Stuga Studio
Window
Chandelier
Ottoman
Rug: The Vintage Rug Shop
Curtains: Custom from Martha & Ash
Fabric
Vanity
Marble Knobs
Chair
Hand Jewelry Holder: Similar
Vanity Mirror
Art
Triple Swivel Hook
Pocket Doors
DIY Shoe Shelves
Shelf Lighting
Mirror: Custom from Handmade Industries
IKEA PAX:Â (See more on building the wardrobes here! You can also see how to use the IKEA PAX wardrobe planner here!)
Custom Fronts
Cabinet Knobs
Are your ceilings 9 foot? Working on plans now and drawing most of our inspirations from your design – but we have 10 ft ceiling – so I’m thinking I may need to add another shelf to the top.
Any chance you remember the curtain rod and clips source for your closet?! ????
They are linked in the sources!
I literally ran across your IG today and Hubby and I have been reading your blogs all day! And we subscribed! We love your closet. Quick question though, how did you hide the holes on the inside of the PAX closet walls? Is it just paint? Did you fill them in, sand then paint? Thank you so much!
Hi Julia!
I am copin your entire closet setup!
What a well thought out space and decor!!!!
How did you paint the Ikea cabinets? I have tried in the past and the paint cracks off…..
help pls :)
You have to use a really good oil based primer first.
I love Lamp Room Grey! But I can’t afford Farrow and Ball:( Did you have any luck with Sherwin Williams color matching Lamp Room Grey?
Yup!!!