This Small Apartment Didn’t Have Room for a Traditional Office — An IKEA Cabinet Solved That

Adrianna Gardini and Craig Youngren are, what I like to call, the champions of small-space living. The couple shares a 520-square-foot Manhattan apartment with their two children (and two cats) and makes it look stress-free and functional. To do this, they rely on an IKEA heavy-hitter that’s customized to fit their needs.

Because the IKEA PAX wardrobe is so beloved, there have been several iterations of the product. However, what makes Adrianna and Craig’s use so special is that they’ve hidden an office inside the cabinet, while still using the remainder for practical storage.

In the video above, the family walks viewers through their two-bedroom home. However, Adrianna admits that when people visit, the sentiment they share most often is that the apartment doesn’t feel small. That’s likely in large part because most of their clutter is hidden in their biggest indulgence: the IKEA PAX wardrobe. 

“This is our one and only gigantic closet that we have in our apartment,” Adrianna said in the video. “It is multifunctional and houses everything — from our clothes to our craft supplies.” 

Strikingly, however, in the center of the wardrobes is Craig’s office space. As Adrianna opened the two middle doors, a fully functional desk area appeared, complete with a desktop computer, built-in lights, a set of drawers for storage, and several art pieces hanging from the interior walls.

Instead of having to purchase yet another piece of furniture that would take up precious floor space, the couple opted instead for a complete, full-sized desk area that’s hidden away. It’s likely that they used the IKEA customization tool to create a desk-inspired look. All Craig has to do is pull up a chair and get straight to work. Another bonus? When he’s finished working for the day, he can simply close the double doors and forget about it — instead of having a desk in plain sight, filled with paperwork beckoning him to return to it. 

To really emphasize play over work, there’s even a dartboard that can be pulled out of the cabinets next to the desk area. The family (and cats) will often play, and then simply hide it away when they’re finished. 

If you have a small home and don’t want to clutter it up with too much furniture, I recommend the IKEA PAX wardrobe. It’s a best-seller for a reason, but seeing how it was used to create a full office space highlights how much flexibility these cupboards really give you.