IKEA PAX Wardrobe System: Everything You Need to Know

As you step from our master bedroom into our newly renovated bathroom, our inviting new walk-in closet is conveniently located on the left, tucked behind a sleek pocket door. This design choice maximizes space and creates a seamless flow within our private suite.

While the door itself is a standard, cost-effective 6-paneled design, we elevated its appearance and functionality with a simple yet impactful upgrade. We replaced the typical small circular pull with {this stylish rectangular flush pull} in a sophisticated satin brass finish. This small detail adds a touch of modern elegance and makes a significant difference in the overall aesthetic.

We’ll step inside our fabulous new closet in just a moment to explore its interior. But first, let’s briefly touch upon the fundamental design principle behind any IKEA closet. The entire system is built around utilizing versatile PAX wardrobe frames, which are available in a range of three widths, two depths, and two height options. These sturdy frames serve as the backbone of your closet, which you then personalize and optimize with IKEA’s extensive array of KOMPLEMENT interior accessories.

Designing Our IKEA PAX Walk-In Closet

A unique aspect of our new closet’s design was its incorporation of space previously occupied by our old bathroom. This meant the overall width of our closet was predetermined, measuring approximately 6.5 feet. This dimension played a crucial role in our frame selection: we were able to accommodate the deeper 22-inch wardrobe frames along one side, creating ample storage for bulkier items. However, to ensure comfortable maneuverability within the closet, we opted for the shallower 13-inch deep frames on the opposite side. Had we installed 22-inch deep frames on both sides, the central walkway would have been uncomfortably narrow, hindering accessibility.

During the construction phase, we had the flexibility to customize the length of our closet, allowing us to perfectly tailor the space for our IKEA PAX system. Our design ingeniously accommodates three wardrobes on each side: two 39-inch wide frames positioned at the ends, flanking a single 19-inch wide frame in the middle. This configuration creates a cohesive and custom-looking run of cabinetry that fits the space flawlessly. Here’s a quick iPhone snapshot showing the initial installation phase, with only the PAX wardrobe frames assembled and placed within our new closet area:

To ensure maximum stability and a truly built-in feel, the wardrobe frames were securely fastened. We anchored them to the walls at the top-back side of each frame using robust drywall anchors. Additionally, the frames were connected to each other using binding post screws, strategically placed near both the base and the top. This simple yet effective method involves drilling through one of the pre-drilled holes in one wardrobe into a corresponding pre-drilled hole of its neighboring unit, then inserting and tightening the screw for a strong, seamless connection.

With the sturdy frames in place, the truly exciting phase began: customizing the interior with a thoughtful selection of KOMPLEMENT accessories. This is where the IKEA PAX system truly shines, allowing for unparalleled personalization to meet specific storage needs and aesthetic preferences.

Optimizing the Shallow Side: 13-Inch Deep Frames

Let’s begin our detailed tour by exploring how we ingeniously customized the 13-inch deep frames situated on the right side of our closet. These shallower units posed a unique design challenge, which the KOMPLEMENT system adeptly resolved, transforming limited depth into highly functional storage.

KOMPLEMENT Pull-Out Clothes Rail

One of the primary challenges with the 13-inch deep IKEA wardrobes is their insufficient depth for a standard clothes rod that allows garments to hang front-facing. However, IKEA offers an incredibly clever solution: these innovative pull-out clothes rails. This brilliant accessory provides vertical hanging space, allowing clothes to be stored facing forward within the shallower depth. While it might take a moment longer to spot an item compared to side-hanging, it’s exceptionally effective for garments not worn on a daily basis, such as my collection of dresses.

A particularly neat feature of these rails is their ability to extend outwards. This provides valuable extra hanging space, perfect for air-drying delicate items or pre-selecting and displaying the outfit you plan to wear the following day. It’s a small detail that adds significant convenience to daily routines.

Update: Unfortunately, it appears that IKEA has discontinued the Pull-Out Clothes Rail, which is a real shame given its utility.

IKEA KOMPLEMENT Pull-Out Pants Hanger

Beneath the ingenious pull-out clothes rail, where my dresses are neatly stored, I’ve incorporated a 39-inch KOMPLEMENT pull-out pants hanger. A standard shelf acts as a clean visual and functional separator between these two distinct hanging solutions. This setup is perfect for organizing specific types of garments.

The 13-inch deep version of this hanger, which I have, is designed to comfortably hold one pair of pants per hanger arm. While it’s possible to layer them, maintaining one pair per arm keeps everything more accessible and wrinkle-free. For those with the deeper 22-inch frames, the larger version of this hanger can accommodate two pairs of pants per arm with a slight overlap, doubling its capacity. I reserve these pull-out hangers for all my pants that are prone to wrinkling, ensuring they stay crisp and ready to wear. Conversely, all my casual wear—jeans, leggings, joggers, and similar items—are efficiently stored in the various drawers throughout the closet.

IKEA KOMPLEMENT Shelves

The versatility of IKEA KOMPLEMENT shelves cannot be overstated. These shelves are perfectly matched to the wardrobe frames, available in all corresponding width and depth options, making them indispensable for customizing any PAX system. I’ve strategically integrated them throughout my closet for various organizational purposes.

On the left side of our closet, each wardrobe frame features a shelf positioned directly above the top drawer. This clever placement serves a dual purpose: it creates a functional surface for additional items while simultaneously preventing dust accumulation inside the drawers below. Another shelf separates the pull-out clothes rail from the pants hanger, creating distinct zones for different garment types. Furthermore, the very top of most wardrobes is fitted with shelves, providing ideal platforms for large storage baskets, perfect for seasonal items or less frequently accessed belongings.

In the middle wardrobe along the right side of our closet, I’ve implemented a floor-to-ceiling arrangement of shelves, specifically designed to house a series of medium-sized storage baskets. This dedicated section is a powerhouse for organizing an array of smaller items.

These baskets are invaluable for categorizing and storing a multitude of accessories: travel bags and toiletries, bathing suits, hats and caps, various tank tops, belts, hair accessories, and flip-flops. They are {these white woven bins} from The Container Store, specifically the medium size, which fit perfectly within the PAX frames. To maintain an impeccably organized system, I used {these practical bin clips} for clear and easy-to-read labels, ensuring everything has its designated place.

IKEA KOMPLEMENT Shoe Shelves

At the very end of our meticulously designed closet system, I dedicated the entire 39-inch wide wardrobe to shoe storage, outfitting it with multiple {KOMPLEMENT shoe shelves}. I absolutely adore this solution! It has allowed me to accommodate a substantial number of shoes, keeping them all neatly organized and incredibly easy to access at a glance.

IKEA offers a variety of shoe storage options within the KOMPLEMENT range, catering to different preferences and needs. These include {this pull-out shoe shelf} and a selection of pull-out trays with specialized shoe inserts and rails. While I previously had pull-out shoe racks in my old IKEA closet, I’ve found these fixed shoe shelves to be a superior choice for my personal organization style. Ultimately, the best option comes down to individual preference and how you prefer to store and access your footwear.

Full-Length Brass Mirror

To complete the functionality and aesthetic of our walk-in closet, I hung a magnificent full-length brass floor mirror on the wall at the very end of the space. This statement piece, which I affectionately “borrowed” from our guest room, adds a touch of elegance and serves a practical purpose for outfit checks.

Regrettably, the exact mirror has since been discontinued. However, {this floor mirror} offers a very similar profile in terms of size and shape, making it an excellent alternative. If your preference leans towards more defined lines, you might also consider {this mirror}, which features chic squared-off corners. These details truly elevate the overall design of the closet.

Now, are you ready to explore the other side of our closet, featuring the more spacious 22-inch deep wardrobes and the different customization options we implemented there?

Maximizing the Deep Side: 22-Inch Deep Frames

Transitioning to the left side of our walk-in closet, where the generous 22-inch deep wardrobes provide even more storage potential, we implemented a distinct organizational strategy. Starting from the very top, each wardrobe frame is fitted with a shelf that holds either one or two of {these large storage baskets}. These are perfect for stowing away bulkier items such as winter boots, larger tote bags, and various travel bags, keeping them neatly out of sight but easily accessible when needed. Below these high-level storage solutions, we’ve installed robust KOMPLEMENT clothes rails, forming the primary hanging space for our everyday garments.

Our hanging clothes are meticulously categorized for optimal organization: all my short-sleeve shirts are housed in the leftmost wardrobe frame, providing easy access during warmer months. The central wardrobe frame is dedicated to longer garments, specifically my long dresses and jumpsuits, ensuring they hang freely without creasing. Finally, my collection of long-sleeve shirts occupies the rightmost wardrobe frame. A crucial element that I absolutely swear by for maximizing space and maintaining tidiness are {these non-slip velvet space-saving hangers}. They are a game-changer! (The image below is from the IKEA PAX units in our IKEA mudroom, where we used {these pulls} on our drawers, illustrating the hanger type).

Not only do these hangers present a uniform and polished appearance within the closet, and, crucially, prevent clothes from slipping off, but their slim profile allows you to fit significantly more garments into the same amount of space compared to bulky tubular plastic or traditional wooden hangers. They are an absolute must-have for any well-organized wardrobe.

KOMPLEMENT Drawers with Framed Fronts

Each of the three deep wardrobe frames also incorporates a set of {these beautifully designed framed front drawers}. These drawers are a relatively new addition to IKEA’s KOMPLEMENT range, and I absolutely adore them! They instantly elevate the look of the PAX system, providing a significantly more upscale and custom appearance compared to the flat-front drawers that were previously the only available option. This aesthetic upgrade makes a substantial difference in the overall perception of the closet system.

IKEA manufactures a variety of convenient box set options specifically designed to help organize smaller items within the interior of their drawers. These modular organizers are perfectly sized to fit the KOMPLEMENT drawers, making it easy to create designated compartments for various accessories and essentials.

Unfortunately, these particular box sets have been out of stock at our local IKEA for some time. Consequently, adding these ideal drawer organizers will have to be a future enhancement to our closet system, once they become readily available again.

KOMPLEMENT Pull-Out Trays with Inserts

And now, for what is arguably my absolute favorite feature of our entire new IKEA PAX closet: {this ingenious KOMPLEMENT pull-out tray with inserts}. I’ve dedicated this brilliant accessory entirely to organizing my jewelry collection, and it has transformed what was once a tangled mess into a beautifully ordered display.

The customization possibilities with these trays are truly extensive, allowing you to tailor the organization precisely to your needs. This is because IKEA offers a wide array of different styles and sizes of inserts that can be mixed and matched within the pull-out tray. You can explore all the available options and envision your perfect setup by visiting the dedicated KOMPLEMENT insert section on the IKEA website {here}.

A clever modification I made was to remove the internal dividers within some of the individual gray inserts, creating larger compartments, which proved ideal for earring storage. Since IKEA doesn’t offer specific insert options with smaller, perfectly-sized compartments for earrings, I came up with an alternative solution. On the far right side of the tray, I utilized {this insert} but removed its long dividers, which are typically designed for watches and necklaces. In their place, I integrated {this jewelry organizer} that I already owned, carefully laying its two stackable trays side-by-side. This created bespoke, smaller sections that perfectly accommodate my earring collection and other petite jewelry items, making them easily visible and accessible.

To further enhance the functionality and visual appeal of my jewelry organization, I opted for a distinctive choice for the shelf positioned directly above my pull-out jewelry tray. Instead of a standard solid shelf, I selected {this elegant glass shelf}. This strategic choice offers a significant advantage: it allows me to effortlessly see the entire contents of the tray below, even before I pull it out. This immediate visual access makes selecting the perfect accessory both quick and enjoyable, streamlining my morning routine.

Following the installation of the crown molding, we meticulously patched all nail holes and painted it to perfectly match the crisp white finish of the IKEA wardrobes. Fortunately, I had some leftover paint from our laundry room cabinets installed last year, which turned out to be an excellent match. For those seeking to replicate this exact shade, here’s the custom formula we used, mixed in INSL-X Cabinet Coat in Satin (it is crucial to use this specific base for accurate color matching and durability):

Another crucial step for achieving a high-end, finished look is to diligently fill all the exposed holes once your closet customization is complete. This seemingly small detail makes a monumental difference! IKEA offers VARIERA cover plates, conveniently sold in packs of 100, which are designed to perfectly plug all the tiny holes that run along the edges of the PAX frames. While the task of plugging each individual hole is admittedly tedious, the transformation it brings is absolutely worth the effort (I even outsourced this painstaking job to my daughter, which was a win-win!). This in-progress image, taken during the installation of our PAX wardrobes in our laundry room, clearly illustrates the dramatic difference these simple cover plates make:

(Acrylic drawer pulls visible in this image can be found {here})

Beyond the edge holes, there are also specific holes at the very top of each IKEA wardrobe that require attention for a truly finished appearance. I addressed these by covering the IKEA cam lock holes with {these adhesive cover caps}. Additionally, the ⅜-inch open holes situated at the top were perfectly sealed with {these specialized hole plugs}. Both types of covers were an exact fit, seamlessly blending in and eliminating any visible hardware or openings.

Obviously, one final and very significant finishing touch that brings comfort and warmth to our master closet is the carpeting. We specifically chose Kaleen’s Peter Island Stripe in Graphite, a choice that adds texture, visual interest, and a luxurious feel underfoot.

IKEA PAX Closet System Review: The Pros (+ Value!)

1. **Unbeatable Value:** The price point of an IKEA PAX closet system stands out as one of its most compelling advantages. You can design and create an incredibly functional and aesthetically pleasing closet for significantly less capital outlay compared to most other dedicated closet systems, including The Container Store’s Elfa system and California Closets’ bespoke solutions. For our comprehensive closet project, my total cost for every item purchased directly from IKEA amounted to just **$1630 (excluding tax)**. While this is certainly an investment, it represents a substantial saving over higher-end alternatives, making superior organization accessible.
2. **Convenient Delivery & Returns:** IKEA excels in customer convenience. They offer delivery of your closet components at a very reasonable price – an invaluable service, especially when undertaking a large closet project with numerous heavy boxes! Furthermore, their return policy is exceptionally generous, allowing full refunds with a receipt for an entire year on any unused items. My top tip: always use an IKEA Family Card when making your purchase. This ensures that even if you misplace your physical receipt, IKEA can easily look up your transaction using your card details, simplifying any future returns.
3. **DIY-Friendly Assembly (with Support):** Assembling the PAX wardrobes and their interior KOMPLEMENT accessories is surprisingly straightforward; it just requires a significant time commitment. The instructions provided are clear and easy to follow, and no specialized tools are required beyond basic household items. While putting the large wardrobe frames together and installing them is definitely a two-person job for safety and ease, one person can generally manage the installation of the interior accessories. For those who prefer to save time or find DIY projects daunting, IKEA conveniently partners with TaskRabbit, offering professional assembly services.
4. **Exceptional Durability and Seamless Integration:** The PAX wardrobe frames are designed for remarkable sturdiness and connect to one another with impressive precision. In our closet, we were able to link our three PAX frames so flawlessly that there are no visible gaps or spaces between them, creating the illusion of one continuous, custom-built unit. This robust construction also translates to long-term durability. The IKEA PAX closet we installed in our old house was over five years old when we sold our home and remained in absolutely pristine condition, a testament to its quality.
5. **Luxurious Soft-Close Drawers:** A premium feature that I particularly appreciate is the inclusion of soft-close drawer slides on all KOMPLEMENT drawers. This means they glide effortlessly and close completely and silently with just a gentle push, adding a touch of luxury and preventing slamming.
6. **Customizable, High-End Aesthetic:** When assembled and thoughtfully finished, the IKEA PAX system delivers an attractive, custom, and decidedly high-end look. This is especially true if you incorporate simple yet impactful details, such as adding crown molding along the top, which truly transforms the modular units into integrated built-ins.

IKEA PAX Closet System Review: The Cons (Limitations)

1. **Clunky Online PAX Planner:** While IKEA offers an online PAX Planner designed to help you visualize and create your dream closet, it can honestly be a rather clunky and unintuitive program to use. I personally found it more efficient to simply sketch out my closet design manually on paper. The primary benefit of persevering with the online PAX Planner, however, is that once your design is complete, it automatically generates a comprehensive shopping list of every single component you’ll need for your closet, which is incredibly helpful.
2. **Significant Time Commitment for DIY:** Undertaking a full IKEA PAX closet installation is a considerable time investment. As someone who genuinely enjoys organizing and hands-on projects, the hours spent planning the design of our closet and then meticulously assembling it were right up my alley. However, if such tasks are not to your taste, you might seriously consider hiring someone, at the very least, to handle the assembly for you. Companies like The Container Store and California Closets offer a full-service experience, managing everything from initial design consultation all the way through to professional installation (we utilized The Container Store for our garage organization project, and it was an utterly stress-free process).
3. **Potential for Non-Perfect Wall-to-Wall Fit:** While the PAX wardrobe frames come in multiple sizes, allowing for many effective combinations to suit your space, there isn’t always a combination that will achieve a seamless, completely wall-to-wall fit. This can leave small gaps that require additional customization (like the molding we added) to get that truly built-in look. This is a limitation not typically found with more expensive, custom-designed closet systems.
4. **Lack of Well-Priced, Stylish IKEA Baskets:** I wish IKEA offered a broader selection of attractively designed and affordably priced storage baskets that were specifically tailored to integrate perfectly with their closet systems. The beautiful white woven bins I ultimately sourced from The Container Store, which fit our PAX frames perfectly in two different sizes, were unfortunately not cheap, and their cost added up significantly, impacting the overall budget.
5. **Non-Full Extension Drawers and Racks:** A minor but noticeable drawback is that the KOMPLEMENT drawers and pants racks are not full extension. This means they don’t pull out completely from the frame, making it slightly more challenging to access items stored at the very back of the drawer or rack. A full-extension feature would greatly enhance their user-friendliness and accessibility.

Still weighing your options between the IKEA PAX system and the Elfa system? Having experienced both, I’ve had the opportunity to directly compare their features and benefits. For a detailed breakdown of how these two popular closet systems stack up against each other, you can refer to my comprehensive comparison post:

Read my full Elfa Closet System Review here.