Ikea flatpack fitted wardrobes or similar ?

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Need 3.2m long wardrobes at a very reasonable size. Any recommendations? Suppose B&Q, Ikea etc

Perhaps what to avoid.

Thanks

we've just put up an ikea wardrobe - you have to be very very careful as they are very fragile until everything in place. There's a weird thing where you follow the instructions and then have to drill holes in the door for the handle. It's almost impossibl to keep the drill from slipping. I'd advise drilling the holes b4 attaching the door so at least u'd be drilling with gravity.
Also, the second wardrobe - we put upright b4 nailing on the flimsy (but obviously impt) back to the wardrobe. It fell apart, screws came out of wardrobe sides and churned up chipboard wood - which is what they're made off (btw, the veneer easily chips off when ur putting it together). I guess B&Q are as good/bad

Ikea - we have their pax wardrobes and have had some of them 10 years, have dismantled them and put them back together several times with house moves.

The interior fittings are cheap so you can change them as your needs change (the children have them in their rooms)

All 4 sided objects are unstable unless you brace the back so put the back panel on whilst it is lay down (it is easier)

The door handles have to be drilled so that you can choose whatever handles you want.

Cannot praise them enough. My parents had B&Q and they weren't as good quality but that was from a few years ago.

We also have a Pax wardrobe - is 3.5m wide (or there abouts) and 2.4m high with sliding doors and it is awesome.

It replaced 2 x chests of drawers and the very unsatisfactory hanging arrangement that we had before, it has a selection of different interior fittings and was substantially cheaper than a 'proper' fitted wardrobe, although essentially that's what it is for us as it runs most of the way across one wall and almost reaches the ceiling.

It looks nice and was pretty easy to put together too.

I also recommend the PAX wardrobe from IKEA. We've used them in our last three places as fitted wardrobes - they pretty much go to the ceiling and you can box them in with wood to make them look fitted. You can also get any finish, handles, door and interior configuration you want at a fraction of the price of proper fitted wardrobe companies.

Another recommendation for pax here - I have them in my bedroom and cut them down to slot under the sloping roof, works a treat. Just don't do what my friend did which is ram wardrobes right up to the wall so that now she can't open the door fully because of the door handle and therefore can't get the drawers in that particular cupboard out...

Another vote for Pax here. We got some following recommendations from MN and really pleased we did. The interiors really sold it to us as we really wanted a mix of full length and double hanging rails and most wardrobes don't have those options unless you go for really expensive bespoke stuff.

Looks great and has inspired several friends to go for it too.

As I said earlier I'm a huge fan of Pax from Ikea. In my son's wardrobes I have the plastic tubs which I use in place of chest of drawers.

The benefit is you can overfill them and take the whole thing out should you need to find something buried deep.

It is easy to customise them and they also do tubs and cubes that fit precisely into the wardrobe meaning you have a lot more choice than standard wardrobes from other shops.

Pax again. We fitted ours standing in the room as there was not enough floor space to do it lying down. Complicated but no problem if you have 2 people. They are perfect as we needed a corner wardrobe and Pax is designed to fit almost anything really.

They are great for fitting long hanging space, short space, drawers and all sorts of space saving ideas all behind closed doors.

Good range of door fronts including mirrored as well which is great if you dont have space for a full length mirror anywhere else.

Also great when your needs change so you just go out and buy the extra bits you need and reconfigure the whole thing easily.

More Pax here, loads of choice to fit your own specifications and easy to change the fittings if you need to.

I build flat pack furniture for a living and see many disasters like this. It is actually fairly easy to a) avoid and b) rescue.

If you don't put the back on, it is basically just like a card box without the base and has no lateral strength whatsoever.

The first thing to do is avoid it and that means build the wardrobe lying down on the cardboard packaging on its front. Then put the back on before you lift it. If you cannot do this, position one vertical piece against the wall so it doesn't fall or get a second person to hold it. Attach the base and two supports, then attach the back panel. This will form a rigid corner and then you can add the remaining side and top to the wardrobe. It requires care but can be done easily.

If you have made a mess of it, all is not lost. Both sides are universal and the top fixes to the top row of holes and the base to the third row of holes. If you have ripped the torsion pins out of here, simple swap the sides over and you can have a second chance to build the wardrobe.

In terms of repair, before your second attempt, gently knock the chipboard back with a hammer. This is often sufficient and it compacts quite neatly or you can use furniture wax.

I hope the above info is useful.

For plenty more tips and trick just visit my website, Flat Pack Advice.

Useful website if you're thinking of getting some Pax wardrobes. The link to the guide is:
here