apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

A few years back I ripped out my closet doors, shelf, etc and replaced it with a PAX wardrobe system - drawers below and doors above with hanging rods, racks for pants and shelves for shoes and sweaters.

Best thing I ever did.

Check out http://www.slidingdoorco.com/about_us.html. They have different options available.

I have seen the PAX doors used with great results. Depending on the look you are going for and your diy ambition you could also install a barn door type system which utilizes a long overhead track and hardware that attaches to a door panel which can be almost anything as long as it is within the width and weight requirement of the track.

In your case, because the run is so long, I wonder if you need to you use a by-passing track system. Do you need 100% of the closet space to be open at one time?

Here's another great DIY link using the Pax doors:
http://moderninmn.blogspot.com/2007/12/stordal-doors-as-room-divider-ikea-hack.html

I intend to replace the sliding doors to my bedroom with a modified version of the above—similar to a framed closet door but using floor guides in the middle of the doors rather than the whole floor track.

I priced the Sliding Door Company's stuff. While they're beautiful, they cost 10 times more than the Pax doors, which are just as pretty.

I'm the person whose closet is pictured above and I just wanted to comment that those Ikea doors still look great and function perfectly over 2 years later.

I don't think I had heard of the Sliding Door Company when I was researching options. I did look at Raydoor which was going to be over $10K - before installation. It sounds like the Sliding Door Company is less than that, but still more than Ikea.

I'm still very pleased with the way this project turned out.

Hey Kathryn:
Looks super awesome. Did you use the upper track hardware that comes with the Pax doors or did you buy something separate? Also, I noticed you installed side tracks framing the opening as a door stopper. Is that necessary or do you think I can go without them?

Just another idea... I think curtain panels like these at West Elm look great and provide easy access to your clothes.

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODa378&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1ACCCST&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1ACCCST

Veruca,

I am the first to admit that I am not a DIY kind of gal! I enlisted the help of a very competent carpenter and electrician for this project. I'm assuming that he used the track hardware that came with the doors since it matches perfectly.

IMHO, the side tracks would be necessary unless your doors fill the entire frame of your closet. I've got about 6-7" on each side and I think the side frame pieces make it look more finished.

Kathryn:
I'm completely with you on the DIY thing! I barely know how to paint. I'm for sure hiring a carpenter. Luckily, I'm planning to reframe the doorway to accommodate the new Pax ones. Thanks for the info! They really do look awesome. Great to know that these ikea hacks do work in the long term.

Another type of panels that would work well are the panel curtains (KVARTAL system) from IKEA: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/range/10374/13289/
The good thing is that they are cheap and the height is easily customizable.
Good luck with your project!
Ana

Try Johnson Hardware's Web site to find quality and affordable door hardware.

www.johnsonhardware.com

Your closet opening sounds large so you might not be able to use standard hardware. Try the multi-pass hardware and pick up doors at a building supply company or Home Depot for a more affordable option to the Sliding Door Co.

Hi everyone. I posted this question and appreciate everyone's feedback. My dad suggested a panel track like this one from the Shade Store...

http://www.theshadestore.com/product/panel-system-woven-wood?prcid=27828

The panels can open to the right OR to the left which is ideal. The only downside - kind of expensive based on the material you choose and of course, I like the more expensive woven wood. I looked at the PAX system, but that is a little industrial looking for me.

I'll probably go the panel track route.