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Original poster

Ikea PAX hack help!

23 replies

Sundaycoffee · 27/03/2023 16:37

Hi all,

I've finally taken the plunge and ordered 2 pax wardrobes for the alcoves in my bedroom.
My plan is to "hack" the wardrobe by adding additional wood to make it look built in. Has anyone done this before?
Basically I'm wondering if the "hack" part can be done after fully assembling the wardrobe. The wardrobes arrive this weekend and I would like to get them assembled and ready ASAP to use freestanding until i can find a carpenter to "hack" them but equally don't want to spend hours assembling them to then have to disassemble them in a few weeks time to make them look fitted!

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onthefence23 · 27/03/2023 16:41

I've seen this done on Instagram and they all built first, fixed to the wall and added the trimmings!

Original poster
Sundaycoffee · 27/03/2023 17:04

OK, that's reassuring! I'm on my own and I'm getting the taller version so I will need to pay for assembly i think! Then with the view of then getting a handyman or joiner to make them look fitted when I have a bit more cash! Just don't want to have to pay for assembly twice if they all have to come apart again to sit them on a base 🤣

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Trollsinmyeggbox · 27/03/2023 18:32

Look at thehousethatblackbuilt on IG

MaybeSmaller · 30/03/2023 14:28

Not the question you asked, but if you're getting the taller version, please make sure it isn't too tall for the room!

(Yes, I made this mistake a few years ago and had to send one back!)

It's not just the height you need to worry about, it's the diagonal measurement (e.g. top front to bottom back) as the wardrobe will need to be tipped from horizontal to vertical at some point during assembly.

If you live in a Victorian house I'm sure it's fine, but I would say the taller Pax are too tall to fit in most new builds in the UK.

Original poster
Sundaycoffee · 30/03/2023 15:23

MaybeSmaller · 30/03/2023 14:28

Not the question you asked, but if you're getting the taller version, please make sure it isn't too tall for the room!

(Yes, I made this mistake a few years ago and had to send one back!)

It's not just the height you need to worry about, it's the diagonal measurement (e.g. top front to bottom back) as the wardrobe will need to be tipped from horizontal to vertical at some point during assembly.

If you live in a Victorian house I'm sure it's fine, but I would say the taller Pax are too tall to fit in most new builds in the UK.

Thank you. My ceiling height is 258 so I'm hoping that 22cm gap will be plenty for clearance! That must have been so annoying 😣

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Original poster
Sundaycoffee · 30/03/2023 15:26

I have got a quote today for £680 for a carpenter to build these into the alcoves.
It seems like a lot to me considering there is only a little 5cm gap each side of the wardrobe but I suppose labour etc!
Times like these I wish I knew someone handy as a lot if people online have DIYed it themselves but I would definitely balls it up!!

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summerains · 30/03/2023 16:55

Coincidentally I've just finished my Pax project with the tall wardrobes. I have a 90s house and I had to build the frames vertically (so it was stood up) as there wasn't enough space to turn it over from horizontal to vertical.

summerains · 30/03/2023 16:58

Found a photo of mine. Just wanted to add that honestly they're so easy to build just grab a friend for an hour or so and do it yourself.

Ikea PAX hack help!
TallTrees78 · 31/03/2023 14:29

Following as I'm planning on doing the same job in a few weeks!

demotedreally · 31/03/2023 22:23

I'm interested in how you would add a edge strip? Batten on the wall?

summerains · 01/04/2023 10:19

demotedreally · 31/03/2023 22:23

I'm interested in how you would add a edge strip? Batten on the wall?

Edging strips from B&Q

bombemma · 01/04/2023 11:49

Sundaycoffee · 27/03/2023 17:04

OK, that's reassuring! I'm on my own and I'm getting the taller version so I will need to pay for assembly i think! Then with the view of then getting a handyman or joiner to make them look fitted when I have a bit more cash! Just don't want to have to pay for assembly twice if they all have to come apart again to sit them on a base 🤣

I assembled some taller Pax myself last month. Just putting doors on was a challenge but it's doable with getting the doors to sit on something whilst you put the hinges on.

Good luck! X

CCSS15 · 01/04/2023 17:47

We did ours - hopefully the picture uploads. We had to cut a lot of it to size as the ceiling sloped but was super happy

Ikea PAX hack help!
nameychange · 01/04/2023 17:49

We made ours look more fitted by using the kitchen cupboard end panel and then covering the bottom bit with the strip yo7 put under kitchen cupboard in the wide dimension and on the top using the narrow. We got the navy doors and they match the navy kitchen.

Lardolader · 01/04/2023 17:52

Oh these are inspirational. My pax is assembled and just hanging out with no handles waiting to be "built in" to the wall.

nameychange · 01/04/2023 17:55

Found some pictures of our before we put the doors on hence the small tabs between the doors

Ikea PAX hack help!
Ikea PAX hack help!
nameychange · 01/04/2023 17:55

Door handles not doors they are quite obviously fitted!!

Nw22 · 01/04/2023 17:58

We had a joiner make ours look built in and add shelves. DH built the wardrobes first.

Ikea PAX hack help!
Original poster
Sundaycoffee · 02/04/2023 01:56

Wardrobes assembled today! These examples all look amazing so looking forward to mine being done now! I'm leaving mine white, so now the challenge of finding a matching "ikea white" paint for the surround 😬

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Nw22 · 02/04/2023 06:54

@Sundaycoffee we painted the doors and surrounds with a different colour.

TallTrees78 · 19/04/2023 21:55

@Sundaycoffee

Do you have any photos of the finished build?

Itwasnaeme · 19/04/2023 23:50

Mine aren't fitted in (not sure what the advantage is?) but we paid for delivery and installation and it wasn't the kind of price uoive been quoted.

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