Super Smooth IKEA PAX Hacks That Look Seamless & Built-In
If you’re daydreaming of a custom closet, but your bank account is waking you up to reality, you have to see what’s been done with the affordable IKEA PAX wardrobe. These DIY IKEA PAX hacks will blow your mind. The changes these innovative DIYers have made to IKEA’s off-the-shelf closet system below look so seamless and built-in that you’d never guess how budget-friendly they are. When it comes to closet organization, you can’t beat the PAX; it offers plenty of storage and built-ins to suit just about any need.
After you trick out your closet, head to IKEA’s other departments and grab a TRONES shoe cupboard, EKET EKET cabinet or RAST dresser to redo as well.
1. Use it in a home office.
Think a PAX closet system only belongs in the bedroom? Think again! This handsome home office space features a PAX closet painted a beautiful burnt orange hue, which expertly matches the shelves and cabinets of the desk next to it.
2. Incorporate a modern minimalist aesthetic.
Paint a PAX system black and voila! You’ve got the perfect modern touch to your space, like the one shown here by @zeeuwshuysje.
3. Showcase your clothing.
We love this adorable set up seen in this tiny NYC apartment, where Maitri Mody lives with her beloved pup. She chose to leave off the closet doors in order to display her array of colorful clothing.
4. Vintage glam.
Between painting the PAX system a dark blue-gray and adding brass drawer pulls, this vintage-glam closet looks downright regal.
5. All about the décor.
You can keep your PAX plain white and simply spruce up the space around it, as done here with statement wallpaper and greenery.
6. At an angle.
Malcolm of Design 69 is obviously a genius because he figured out how to cut a PAX on an angle before tucking it under the eaves of his upstairs Victorian bedroom. We also love how he painted it to match the walls.
7. Doubling as décor.
Fiona of Around the Houses wasn’t enthralled by PAX’s MDF panel doors, so using some H&M curtains, she created a mural of sorts that is dramatic and beautiful.
8. PAX on an angle.
There are a couple of reasons that this bedroom storage stands out: the angled design, the open cubby storage stacked above the unit and the gold ring pulls. Christina created a super stylish system that’s out in the open, but packs the punch of a walk-in closet.
9. A monochromatic look.
PAX is painted the same pink color as the walls and paired with a white door and trim in this bedroom. Trés chic.
10. Old-world chic.
This green unit seen on Design*Sponge has SemiHandmade doors with custom molding for an old-world appeal, befitting this pre-war Brooklyn apartment.
11. Custom doors.
Similar to SemiHandmade is Scandinavian A.S. Helsingo, which creates doors to fit IKEA wardrobes. We love the monochromatic look in the room above.
12. An unexpected location.
Just because PAX was designed as a wardrobe, doesn’t make it inappropriate for the kitchen. Check out Brittany’s kitchen pantry, outfitted with charcoal grey doors and brass pulls, which look right at home next to another set of built-ins.
Additional reporting by Carolin Lehmann