PAX wardrobes - tips please

[TheClitterati]

I need a wardrobe and I have been looking at PAX.

Used the IKEA tool and I'm finding it difficult to put together - it can't be this hard.

I want 2m wide (2 x 1m wide units)
some drawers 1m wide in one unit and half width in the other unit
hinged
hanging rods.
perhaps a couple of pullout shelves if space.

Does anyone have any tips as to how to put this together?

I will be hiring someone to assemble it - and would like the same person to "build it in" to the room and add a coving so it looks built in - I'm assuming the same person can do this. Any idea how big a job this is?

TIA

Are you able to get to an Ikea or not? We’ve just bought pax and put them together ourselves. On one of the visits to ikea we got them to do the design tool and it took about 5 mins then they print you off all the stuff you need to make it, as it gives you a list of stock you need. Even if you take this away and order online it means you get everything - apart from handles, we chose them in store.
They also ensure you know about everything - eg if you have hinged doors, you have to have a basket type thing at the bottom, not a normal drawer. There is a space divider for the 1m pax which means you can then have 50cm drawers. It’s good stuff but there are a lot of options.

Oh and make sure you get your heights right, I’m guessing with the coving option your going for the taller 236cm option? This would have to be built upright, which isn’t a massive issue, but a 2nd person would be needed to help.

I didn't know that about in store help in designing. That's a great tip thanks. I will do that.
I have been having trouble with the fit of the drawers and hinges etc so they should sort that out for me.

I think I need the shorter ones not the taller - but I would like the built in anyway. My ceilings aren't that high.

The shorter ones are 201 ish cm - so only a tiny bit taller than a normal sized door. Also there’s also normally a really helpful 8/10 page booklet in store with all the options listed. Once you’ve been and seen them it’s easy to get to grips with all the components and change your mind about options etc - right up until the moment you buy!

I need a child free trip to Ikea so I can give this some proper attention.

You can do the pax design online IF you have a LAPTOP. it sadly won't work on phones tablets iPads

Yes, it is easy to do online/in store. I would suggest that you get on a Laptop like the PP mentioned. We put this together ourselves and it took us 7 days (evenings only, 1 hour each day). If you have young children, or if you struggle for time, get someone in. Makes life much easier.

Watching this! I also want to build ours 'in'.

I did exactly this. Measured the space. Used the PAX wardrobe planner. Did about 6 different designs, using a list of the clothes I wanted to accommodate: drawers needed, long hanging, short hanging etc. Went in person to see the bits and bobs, did some more designs. Decided & ordered. Got a carpenter to fix into space, add top coving and skirting and doors. I’m SO happy with it.

Really pays to plan out and keep designing and re-designing. It does take a while.

One tip: you will need to have baskets at the very bottom so that the hinges can be fixed in place.

I tried uploading a photo but don’t think it worked.

Please please upload a pic pp!

Trying again...

Looks amazing

I also found searching for pax on Pinterest gave me some ideas of layouts.

Things I found good.

Sliding doors.
The lights inside which come on when you slide the door open
A little pull out tray thing which is good for necklaces, sunglasses.
Shoe rack
Trouser rail which pulls out.

Photos here. It’s actually dd’s wardrobe somexcuse the teenage mess.

thanks Nico and DryHeave for sharing the photos. Really useful - I want a similar combo to you both, but 2m wide, with a bit for hanging dresses and the rest drawers and shirts etc hanging above.

I have spent hours on the PAX planner but didn't have any luck with the drawers - they get in the way of the hinges. I can see now I need a basket where the hinges go to solve this problem (though confusingly when I've looked at real ones the drawers seem to got all the way down).

Nico I'm not so keen on sliding doors but don't know why? Possibly just because I'm not used to them? I guess they are space saving.
What do you like about them?

Lights inside that turn themselves on sound extremely wonderful.

Yes it’s the space saving aspect I love. If dds bedroom is cluttered then having stuff in front of the doors won’t stop the doors being opened! If you’re tidier than my dd it probably isn’t an issue.

But I do just like them now I have them and would want them for my bedroom if I changed my wardrobes. I think because the whole door slides across it just seems that you can see inside easier with no shadows.....but that might be the auto lights helping there!

That is lovely Dryheave !
How much approximately did it cost? We have just come back from a holiday rental that had the really tall wardrobes and they were so practical.

Off the top of my head, it was about £500 for all the inners and then about £350 for the fitting in & doors. We assembled the the units ourselves. But it’s floor to ceiling storage, including formalwear, duvets and unseasonal stuff so it’s a great solution.

In a previous property I had the tall PAX (they were already there) - about 3 meters of them with all the fancy bits going on - it really was amazing to live with.

Looking at you tube videos can help if you get stuck.

The online planner won't let you put bits in if the hinges would be in the way so you might need to try a slightly different layout.

I’m looking at pax too. I’m happy to have drawers on display but I think this system has them covered with doors. I need to go instire and see the colours too. Does anyone know if you can paint them please?