Ikea Pax hack: How to Customize a Small Closet with the Pax System

Ikea Pax

If you have visited ThePinkDream before you know that I love a good Ikea Hack, organizing and all things pink. Today I’m sharing how we transformed my daughter’s closet with the Ikea Pax hack that basically encompass all of the above!  

Ikea pax closet hack

This might be my favorite hack so far, it was not super easy, but is definitely worth all the work. I was looking for inspiration and a solution to Sophia’s closet when I saw my favorite DIY girl Frills and Drills transform her son’s closet with the Ikea Pax System. It was the perfect solution for Sophia’s small closet. After all every kid deserves a dream closet 😆, seriously though her closet is my dream closet lol.

ikea closet small

Ps: Here are some other Ikea Hacks that you might enjoy:
1- Everyone’s favorite, the Ikea Kallax makeover
2- Another popular one, the super simple Ikea Malm Dresser makeover
3- How to transform the Ikea Vittsjo table and Shelves with gold paint!

Ikea Pax Closet

Difficulty level: Intermediate
Material and cost:
Ikea Pax wardrobe $60,
Komplement drawers: $25 each,
Komplement shelves: $10 each, used 9: $90
Gold Rods: $29 each, used 2: $58   
Closet rod Flange: $4 each, used 4: $12
Table saw and drill

ikea closet small

Ikea Pax closet makeover

We started out with your classic builder’s closet: sliding doors (hate them!) and the basic one wire shelf. Obviously I forgot to take a before picture, but the after picture speaks for itself.

Kids closet ideas

I wanted a kid’s closet but at the same time I wanted a closet that could work for her in the future. I made sure to have the rods low enough that she could reach at age 3, but high enough that it would also work later on.

Ikea pax closet makeover

Kids Bedroom Closet

I’m not sure why builders install sliding doors on closets. It’s the worst thing because you can never really open the full closet. The first step on the kids closet makeover was to remove the sliding doors and replace with bifold closet doors.

ikea hack closet

We bought the bifold closet doors at Home Depot and it was pretty simple to install. However the bifold doors were a little too big for the closet opening. We ended up having to shave the door a little with a table saw.

ikea bedroom closet

Adding wallpaper to the closet

girls Bedroom with swan wallpaper

I haven’t really shared Sophia’s room yet, but here is a picture of it. I did this beautiful swan wallpaper from Hibbou Home as an accent wall. Since I had some wallpaper leftover I decided to put it to good use and add on the inside of the closet. It’s such a beautiful wallpaper that I didn’t want to waste any of it! I think it looks darling now in her closet and she loves it.

Closet with wallpaper

Ikea Pax hack

The next step was to assemble the Ikea Pax wardrobe. I chose the 14’ deep and 29’ wide wardrobe as this was the best fit for our closet. My plan was to have the Ikea closet in the middle an add shelves and rods to each side to create a custom closet. After we secured the Ikea Pax to the center of the closet we started adding the shelves and rods.

Ikea pax wardrobe hack, closet for kids

The shelves on the sides and rods are the tricky part. I bought the 39’ Komplement shelves ($10 each) and had to cut them to fit the closet. I attached the shelves to the Ikea Pax closet by drilling a hole on the outside of the closet in the same spot where the inside hole is and I use the little brackets that comes with the shelves to secure it to the Pax. On the wall side I used shelves brackets from Home depot.

Swan wallpaper, pink wallpaper

Gold closet rods: Why not?

I have seen these gold closet rods before and though they were amazing!!! This was the perfect opportunity to use some of them. I got two rods and cut them to fit Sophia’s closet. They are worth every penny my friends!

kids bedroom closet

So what do you guys think? Sophia loves her new closet. She is able to hang and get her own dresses, and loves playing with her stuff. We still have plenty of room left for storage on top and we could add a couple more shelves if needed.

Closet with gold rods and wallpaper

For around $250 we were able to completely transform her closet with the help of the Ikea Pax hack. Now I only have two more closets to go!!

Update!!! Measurements for the closet and pictures of how to attache the shelves. 

Ok, I got so many questions on dimensions and how to attach the shelves. So here it go: 
The closet is 8ft by 2ft wide. I used the shallow Ikea pax tower (29in  by 14in) in the middle. The 39in long ikea shelves were trimmed to around 35in for each side using the brackets that comes with the shelves on the tower side and these brackets on the wall side and on the top shelf. See pictures below: 

 

 

Shop the post:

Ikea pax closet makeover

And here is a look at Olivia’s new closet that we started working on! It’s turning out so cute!

Ikea Pax hack

Thank you so much for stopping by! For more decor ideas & the latest from ThePinkDream.com add your email below, or let’s connect on Pinterest and Instagram
With Love, Ceres

 

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All images are property of ThePinkDream.com unless otherwise noted.

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100 Comments

  1. April
    August 15, 2019 / 11:34 am

    Gorgeous. Where are the baskets and canisters from (with the sunglasses)?

  2. August 17, 2019 / 11:51 am

    This is such a remarkable website! I have been looking for some closet ideas and couldn’t find any good ones until I saw this outstanding website. You have so many great tips for any room in the house!!!! We love your ideas and hope to see more. GREAT WORK!

    • Ceres
      Author
      August 21, 2019 / 7:26 am

      Awee thank u so much Kayla! You are the sweetest 😘💕

  3. September 12, 2019 / 1:20 pm

    What a great Idea and I love the swan wallpaper!

    • Ceres
      Author
      September 12, 2019 / 2:23 pm

      Thank you so much!!

    • Amanda
      March 18, 2020 / 10:09 am

      How did you cut the closet rod?

      • Ceres
        Author
        April 6, 2020 / 3:53 pm

        yes we did. The rod was cute in 4 parts. I believe my father in law used a saw machine?

  4. Jennifer Sandahl
    September 25, 2019 / 3:45 am

    Love this. You did everything in her closet I have been swirling around in my head for my daughter’s! Right down to the swan paper! Now I have a visual that is more concrete! Thank you! Gorgeous!

    • Ceres
      Author
      September 25, 2019 / 6:37 am

      Aweee thank you so much!!

  5. September 30, 2019 / 10:05 pm

    Ceres, your daughter’s closet turned out brilliantly!!! So happy to feature it in last week’s Share Your Style #225, thank you!

    Happy fall to you,
    Barb 🙂

    • Ceres
      Author
      October 11, 2019 / 4:02 pm

      Barb!! thank you so much! how lovely of you!

  6. October 1, 2019 / 5:22 am

    Hi Ceres, I wanted to let you know that your lovely post was selected as Vintage Charm’s September Feature of the Month–you’ll be featured at tomorrow’s party! Congrats! Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction

    • Ceres
      Author
      October 11, 2019 / 4:02 pm

      Omg!! thank you so much!!

  7. Sherina
    October 3, 2019 / 9:16 pm

    Hi!

    Can you link the brackets that you used from Home Depot? Also, did you remove a portion of your baseboard so the Pax would be flush against the wall?

    • Ceres
      Author
      October 11, 2019 / 4:02 pm

      Hi! For some reason I cant find the brackets on line. But I will check next time I go in store. It was from their closet collection. We did remove a little of the toe kick? not the baseboard itself!

  8. Leila
    January 8, 2020 / 6:41 pm

    Love this! How wide is the dresser on the inside? My daughter’s closet is 6 feet wide.

    • Ceres
      Author
      January 8, 2020 / 9:57 pm

      39in wife, it’s from IKEA 😘

  9. Kristine
    January 10, 2020 / 7:50 pm

    Hi!! Love this!! Ordering materials to do this project this weekend, quick question… do you know how deep your closet is? My closet is 25 inches deep so I’m not sure if I should go with the 14 in deep pax shelves or 23! Help!

    • Ceres
      Author
      January 14, 2020 / 10:05 pm

      I would do the 14, for a kid is more than enough! 😘

  10. Kristine
    January 10, 2020 / 8:07 pm

    ps sorry just realized I commented twice 🤦🏽‍♀️

    • Ceres
      Author
      January 14, 2020 / 10:04 pm

      😘😘

  11. Vicki
    January 13, 2020 / 12:14 pm

    Hi. Any luck finding brackets from Home Depot? How did you attach the shelves to the wall side? Beautiful closet btw.

  12. Chanel Sarkis
    January 15, 2020 / 11:08 pm

    Hi! Love this closet! I am planning on doing something very similar and came across your beautiful design. Do you know the width of the entire closet? It’ll help me decide on a pax unit. Thank you!

    • Ceres
      Author
      January 28, 2020 / 4:12 pm

      I’m going to measure it out and update the post with some more details since I’m getting so many questions!

  13. Michelle
    January 17, 2020 / 8:03 pm

    Hi there how wide are the shelves on either side?

    • Ceres
      Author
      January 28, 2020 / 4:09 pm

      They are the 29in!

  14. Carmela
    January 19, 2020 / 8:49 pm

    Hi! Beautiful closet makeover. How did you add the shelf across the very top?
    Thanks!

    • Ceres
      Author
      January 28, 2020 / 7:25 am

      I used brackets from Home Depot. I gave the link in some comments above 😘

  15. Jary
    February 14, 2020 / 4:28 am

    BEAUTIFUL! this is such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your designs.

    • Ceres
      Author
      February 22, 2020 / 6:56 am

      Thank you so much!

  16. Marley
    March 13, 2020 / 10:17 am

    Beautiful! How did you attach the closet rods to the outside of the PAX wardrobe? I want to do the same but I’m worried it will break the wardrobe. Also how much weight has your rod been able go hold?

    • Ceres
      Author
      April 6, 2020 / 3:54 pm

      we attached using the curtain rod attachment linked on the post. We have had no issues so far.

  17. Nalini
    April 8, 2020 / 10:02 pm

    wow! you did an amazing job with your little girl’s bedroom. I was looking around for inspiration and i definitely found it. Our closet is 8H x 2D as well so your list is very helpful. Is it 6ft wide? Looks like you have very healthy hanging space side on either even with the 29″ unit in the middle. Our is only 4ft so I’m thinking I may have to downsize the center unit. what do you think?

    • Ceres
      Author
      April 11, 2020 / 4:04 pm

      Hi Nalina, yes with 4ft I would do the smaller shelf. You do want to have some space for hanging clothes 😘😘

  18. Amanda
    April 13, 2020 / 8:44 pm

    The baskets are darling! Where did you get them?!

  19. Monika
    April 22, 2020 / 10:31 pm

    I love the closet! We are in the process of redoing our kids closets as well. Their closets are 5feet wide and 2 feet deep. You mentioned that your closet is also 2 feet deep, but you opted for PAX system 14inch depth. Why didn’t you opt for the deeper one? I am thinking to go with the 22inch depth to utilize the space. Thank you!

    • Ceres
      Author
      May 1, 2020 / 4:06 pm

      Hi Monika!! I wanted more space to maneuver to hang clothes and I didn’t want the door to close on top of the cabinets! 😘

  20. Katie
    May 9, 2020 / 11:12 am

    Did you attach the backing to the wardrobe or simply use the frame against the wall?

    • Ceres
      Author
      May 9, 2020 / 1:07 pm

      We did, the tower was secure led to the wall with the attachments that comes with the pax system 😘

      • Katie
        May 10, 2020 / 6:02 pm

        Ok so just to clarify, the wallpaper shown in the picture is only on the closet wall (not on the back of the tower)? Just wondering whether you actually attached the Pax tower backing (its like a cardboard piece that you nail into the tower).

        • Ceres
          Author
          May 10, 2020 / 10:03 pm

          Hi Katie, the wallpaper was done before the closet. The IKEA tower was attached on top of the paper with the proper IKEA attachments. We had to secure the tower to make sure it wouldn’t move once we attached the shelves. 😘

          • Katie
            May 11, 2020 / 10:08 am

            Thank you! 🙂

      • Jessica
        January 7, 2021 / 11:04 pm

        Hi! I’m curious why did you buy the 39 inch shelves vs the 29 inch shelves that fit directly with the system?! Thanks in advance!

        • Ceres
          Author
          January 9, 2021 / 8:15 am

          Hi Jess!! I cut the 29in to fit the rest of the space between the ikea tower and the wall. I did use the 29s in the tower.

  21. Maria Gallagher
    May 19, 2020 / 5:34 pm

    Where did you get the mirror?

    • Maria Gallagher
      May 19, 2020 / 5:35 pm

      nvm! my computer is 100 years old… it finally loaded all the links to everything

      • Ceres
        Author
        May 22, 2020 / 11:08 pm

        Aweee ok lol 😘😘

    • Ceres
      Author
      May 22, 2020 / 11:08 pm

      It’s from pottery barn kids. I think is sold out tho 😫

  22. N
    May 20, 2020 / 2:42 pm

    Hi there, looking to replicate this for my daughters nursery. At what height did you place the two rods? I could take a guess but your set up looks perfect.

    • Ceres
      Author
      May 22, 2020 / 11:07 pm

      Let me measure this for you!

  23. Laura C
    July 2, 2020 / 9:27 pm

    Hello beautiful work <3 I am curious about the shelf’s in the middle did u use 4 or 3.. and what size are they?? Are they 29in ?? For the top of the draws did u just use a regular shelf? Also how long are each rod? Thank you xox

    • Ceres
      Author
      July 27, 2020 / 10:32 pm

      Hi Laura, the shelves are from IKEA too. Just use the shelf that fits your middle tower. The rods were cut to size for each side.

  24. Estefany
    July 4, 2020 / 1:17 pm

    OMG, I love this. I will definitely try it! I am wondering where did you get the green, blush leave wallpaper shown on the right side of the closet- I am obsessed!

  25. Stephanie
    July 4, 2020 / 1:50 pm

    What color are the other 3 walls? It goes beautifully with the wallpaper.

    • Ceres
      Author
      July 27, 2020 / 10:31 pm

      Simply gray by BM 😘

  26. Megan
    September 13, 2020 / 9:43 pm

    Hello! Have you had any issues with the shelves warping in the middle? A bunch of the reviews state that they are warping with very little weight. Thanks!

    • Ceres
      Author
      September 13, 2020 / 10:41 pm

      Wow, not really… mine are still in perfect conditions!

  27. Amaechi
    October 22, 2020 / 10:43 pm

    Hi! Love the closet! On the side of the shelf that was not attached to the wall, did you pre drill holes and the use the provided white clip things to attach the shelf to the frame of the Ike pax? We have bought the unit but realized there are no holes on the outer side, so I want to make sure before proceeding in putting holes in. Also did you use wood screws to attach it to the frames?

    • Ceres
      Author
      October 23, 2020 / 9:49 am

      Yes, we used the holes on the side to make holes through and use the attachments that came with it

  28. Crystal
    October 24, 2020 / 11:45 am

    So cute where u find the pretty mirror

    • Ceres
      Author
      October 24, 2020 / 4:24 pm

      Is from POttery barn kids 😘

  29. Nadine
    January 2, 2021 / 11:10 pm

    Hi Ceres,
    Beautiful room! I’m wondering where you purchased this rug. It’s so pretty x

  30. Whitney P
    January 23, 2021 / 10:18 am

    Hi Ceres! We’re doing this closet in a couple weeks for my daughter’s birthday room makeover. Where do you put her shoes? Shoes seem to be our #1 issue!

    • Ceres
      Author
      January 25, 2021 / 10:51 am

      Hi!!! All the shoes are in the mud room downstairs. I do have some shoes under the dresses. But very little. We don’t bring shoes upstairs as they have to take shoes off upon entering the house 😘😘

  31. Amy Ricci
    January 26, 2021 / 9:51 pm

    This is so beautiful! I am going to IKEA tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration! Our closet is 100 in (8’4”) tall in the inside. I am debating whether to put the 79” tall or 96” tall PAX in. Any thoughts, after doing it? Do you utilize the top shelf well or wish you had another shelf on top of it?
    Thanks in advance!

    • Ceres
      Author
      January 31, 2021 / 7:41 pm

      I do use the last shelf! I have baskets on top for out of season stuff! 😘

  32. Meghan
    January 27, 2021 / 3:18 pm

    What a great idea to put the pax system in the middle instead of buying a whole set – I think you just saved me hundreds of dollars. Any regrets or things you’d do differently next time?

    • Ceres
      Author
      January 31, 2021 / 7:38 pm

      Not at all!! We did a second one just like that!! Love it so much!

  33. Amy
    January 30, 2021 / 4:00 pm

    Did you not put the backing on the pax shelf that comes with it? Looks like you left it off and just secured it with the brackets to the wall? I’m just wondering if it held up structurally without the back.

  34. Nataly
    March 27, 2021 / 7:04 pm

    Thank you for the inspiration🥰! We are doing this for my 6y/o. But instead of gold we are using silver since it matches her chandelier. Also, instead of the dresser inside we are using a vanity table, so she can brush her hair/do her make up as she gets older. We are not adding closet doors but instead hanging curtains and using a matching curtain rod that we used for her window. But the thing that I’m curious is what is the height of her closet? Seems like ours won’t be able to add the additional top self.

    • Ceres
      Author
      March 27, 2021 / 9:32 pm

      You are so welcome! It will look beautiful! The height is 8ft 😘

  35. Angela
    April 5, 2021 / 7:45 pm

    Hi there! I get how you attached the shelves on the outside but how did did you manage to do the very top piece to make it even with the top of the wardrobe? Thanks in advance!

    • Ceres
      Author
      April 5, 2021 / 7:55 pm

      I used the same bracket that I used on the walls! Let me know if that answers it

  36. Leslie Vasquez
    May 17, 2021 / 8:06 am

    I don’t think I saw how you attached the rods to the unit, could you share that?

    • Ceres
      Author
      August 10, 2021 / 8:56 am

      I used the gold rod hardware also from Home Depot 😘 I believe is linked in the post 😘

  37. Ryanne
    June 9, 2021 / 9:47 am

    For the closet rods, did you use the provided screws to mount into the PAX tower? Currently working on a nursery closet & the PAX quality has really diminished compared to our wardrobe purchased 7 years ago. I’m worried the tower will crack. I’m considering using a wall bracket instead nearest the tower instead of screwing into the side. I know you lose some storage that way & it isn’t as pretty, but a cracked tower isn’t pretty either.

    • Ceres
      Author
      August 10, 2021 / 8:53 am

      No, they are linked in the post too. I used gold hardware for the rod I got from homedepot

  38. Sarah
    August 9, 2021 / 3:01 pm

    So gorgeous!! I can only dream of making as lovely a closet for myself!

    Although it’s not exactly related, may I ask what type of flooring you have? (type/colour?) I want to redo my floors and then make the perfect bright closet just like yours but I’m really overwhelmed by all the shades and wish I could just find some in photos I love! Any info would be much appreciated 🙂 Sorry if it’s noted elsewhere on your site, I’ve just started to explore it!

    • Ceres
      Author
      August 10, 2021 / 8:53 am

      I have pravada floors! I have written a blog post in it! It’s lovely 😘😘

  39. Chantel Rivera
    January 26, 2022 / 7:38 pm

    So cute!!! How did y’all attach the rods to the pax wardrobe?

    • Ceres
      Author
      March 3, 2022 / 11:28 am

      I used the rod hanger that comes w the rods. Also from homedepot

  40. Renee
    January 30, 2022 / 4:07 pm

    What a beautiful room! I love the crown canopy… I’m looking for one for my daughters room. Where is it from??

    • Ceres
      Author
      March 3, 2022 / 11:27 am

      Hi, is from Spienkie baby!

  41. Megan
    March 3, 2022 / 11:21 pm

    Hi! I love this. Before I go and completely mess up my own pax shelf, I just wanted to make sure that in order to get the holes on the outside of the pax unit you drilled through the existing holes to the other side? Did you find any of the veneer chipped? Thanks!

    • Ceres
      Author
      March 16, 2022 / 9:08 pm

      Yes we drilled, no nothing chipped. But also you will use the attachment to hang the rod on the other side. Just make sure to use small screws so they don’t show up on the interior

  42. Maria
    November 12, 2022 / 2:11 pm

    Hi,

    Where did you get the rods? thanks

    • Ceres
      Author
      November 15, 2022 / 10:44 am

      They are from home depot, linked in the post

  43. Amanda Z
    January 23, 2023 / 10:33 am

    I am replicating this beautiful closet! Its perfection for a
    little girl 🙂 I am placing my Ikea order but I see there are many options for the Komplement drawers. They all seem to be so similar in size. My closet measures exactly the same as yours. Any idea which size you used? I only see in your post you used the drawers, but no size listed. Unless this tired mama missed it! Thank you!! <3

    • Ceres
      Author
      January 23, 2023 / 10:35 am

      Hi!! The same depth as the tower. So if yours is the 12, get the 12 depth drawer. It should give your option when ordering for drawers that will fit into the tower!

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