Doing the master closet has been on our house project to-do list since the beginning of this year. After comparing the Container Store Elfa system and other custom closet companies, we decided on the Ikea PAX system because we liked that you can achieve a “built in” look even at a lower price point!
CLOSET DESIGN
Ikea has a super handy and easy to use PAX planner online where you can easily put in your closet or room dimensions and see what kind of configuration you want for your space.
After MANY different versions and lots of tweaks, we have settled on this design!
CLOSED STORAGE = MY BEST FRIEND
In the future, I would love to have a large enough closet to use doors to create actual closed storage, BUT for this closet, using tons of DRAWERS was my solution. I wanted no-fuss solid drawers that hides away our messes, so that we seem more organized than we actually are.
I picked GLASS drawers for the top level of drawers to create a more airy and light feel compared to 5 stacked solid drawers. For the contents of these glass drawers, we’ll ensure that they look pretty and organized at all times 🙂
THINGS TO CONSIDER FOR A NARROW CLOSET
- Keep it as open as possible
Ikea offers two available depths – 22 7/8” and 13 3/4”
Because our walk-in closet is long and narrow (130 in. long and 45 in. deep) we had to go with the 13” depth option.
I separated out the hanging spaces to be on either ends to keep the middle portion as open as possible and to minimize visual clutter.
- Keep it light and bright!
We chose the color option of WHITE to keep things crisp and clean. This also allows it to “blend in” with our white closet walls.
- Maximize vertical space
Out of the two available heights (92 7/8″ and 79 1/4”) we chose the taller option since our ceilings are 9 ft tall, which still leaves a bit of room to store some luggage at the very top!
The online PAX Planner converts your design into a product list that you can easily shop, but for some reason, when I clicked “add to cart” it didn’t work. So I manually put in the items, which didn’t take that long, but TBH I was pretty annoyed at the site.
COST
TOTAL PRICE: $1290 (excluding tax & delivery)
DELIVERY: $69
We opted to do delivery to save time/effort going to Ikea to pick up all the products. Plus, we’re pretty sure the PAX frames wouldn’t even fit in the car!
SALE: I was under the impression that Ikea did a PAX wardrobe sale once or twice a year, so I was monitoring for the sale and was waiting and waiting for it this whole year. FINALLY, they had a PAX Frame sale for 20% off (just the frames) but I guess that’s better than nothing!
Our closet is currently so disastrous and dysfunctional and we desperately need to get some storage solutions going!
Assembling the closet will be this weekend’s project and we’ll definitely let you know our thoughts on the Ikea PAX wardrobe!
Follow on IG @vivandtim.home for more home inspiration!
Check out the prices of the Pax/Komplement components from when this was posted. There’s at least a 50% increase on the regular price.
Wow. I was looking at your cost breakdown and realized that from when you posted this article the 13 3/4″ Pax has gone from $90 (which you got on sale) is now $140. That’s over a 50% increase.
Do you happen to have a photo of it assembled and with clothes hanging? I’m in the process of putting together a plan and wonder what the shallow depth ones look like with hanging clothes and how you like it. Thanks!
Where did you get the felt organizer? What was the name of it?
These are the Ikea Komplement box organizers – they have a smaller size and a larger size! https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/komplement-box-light-gray-00561736/
Hi Viv and Tim, Great job! It doesn’t look like to put anything between the side wall and the frame. Is there a solution to fill this space?
Thank you so much for this post! Super informative! Do you remember what time of year you found the pax on sale??
You’re very welcome! I think it was around November 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing. I am researching the PAX for my master closet. It is long and narrow like yours. 42 deep and 137 long. Builder grade wire shelf.