Built in closets look amazing and create so much storage but that generally comes with a hefty price tag. I was looking for a way to make our master closet fabulous without hiring a company that would charge me upwards of $8,000. IKEA happened to be the best bang for our buck. Here is the guide to our custom IKEA closet using both the PAX System and the Boaxel System.
Our Space
We moved into a builder grade house with a typical generic Master Bedroom Closet. The closet was large but not functional, it didn’t even have shelves. I attempted a mini closet revamp without modifying the shelving already in place. Check out our original mini renovation when we first moved in, DIY Built-In Closet Organizer. It’s amazing to see how my renovation skills have grown over the years!
The amount of wasted storage space in my closet was driving me nuts. Despite my fear of the unknown outcome, I began planning my Custom IKEA Closet.
Getting Started/Ordering
First, I measured the space and determined the size of the closet. Next, I designed the PAX section of the closet revamp on the IKEA website. IKEA is constantly out of stock for the PAX closet systems. If you plan to order check back frequently because everything eventually comes back into stock.
Finally, I placed my PAX Closet Organizer order. Unfortunately I did have to compromise on some things due to items being out of stock. For instance, I had to upgrade to the glass shelving which was more expensive because the regular PAX shelving was sold out.
Demo
Once the order was placed, I got to work on demoing the existing closet. Everything in the closet was removed, including the baseboards.
Assembly
The PAX Closet System is essentially a set of mini closets with backs. Therefore, I did not have to patch any of the holes on the walls where the PAX system was being installed.
The most laborious part of the entire closet was assembling all of the PAX Wardrobe boxes. Once the assembly of the shells were complete, I placed them in the closet and secured them to the back wall.
Assembly and installation of the PAX Wardrobe boxes took an entire day. When it was all said and done, I assembled and installed 6 total boxes.
Once the boxes were in, I added primed wood trim to the top and bottom of all of the boxes. Because the wardrobe boxes were so long all stacked together, I had to connect multiple pieces of primed wood for the trim. In order to ensure a seamless appearance I connected all of the trim with a 22.5 degree angle cut.
To eliminate the seam between the boxes, I added 1×2 primed boards.
Making this closet look custom built was a big thing for me. In order for the closet to look complete, I cut and attached wood to the drawer fronts. The added wood fits seamlessly with all of the trim I installed. After the drawer fronts were installed, I installed black hardware.
There are no windows in the closet, therefore I wanted to keep everything light and bright. I painted all of the trim and cabinet fronts white.
Adding Boaxel Storage
On the opposite wall of the PAX Wardrobes, I desperately needed storage for shoes and purses. I went back and forth over whether I should build the shelving myself or purchase it. One day, I stumbled upon the Boaxel organization on IKEA and decided to give it a try.
I ordered two complete Boaxel systems for the closet. Once the Boaxel system arrived, I got down to business installing. The Boaxel system was by far the easiest to install! Less than an hour of work to install each system.
Finishing Touches
After the Boaxel system was in, I began immediately organizing my shoes and purses. Just like that the closet was complete! Not to be dramatic but this closet literally changed my life for the better. I am already planning on adding the Boaxel system to the older boys closets in the near future.
