IKEA’s Pax Wardrobe Just Had a Classic Makeover That Makes It Look Custom – And It’s Turned My Storage-Less NYC Apartment Into an Organized Oasis
With plenty of space for clothes, shoes, and assorted household clutter, this wardrobe unit can provide storage efficiently, effectively, and stylishly, too
In many ways, my New York City studio apartment is a perfect space. It’s in a quiet building on a quiet street, it has tall ceilings and large windows, and its separate kitchen makes it feel so much bigger than it actually is. That said, there is one major downside – my apartment has hardly any storage.
Okay, there are a few cabinets in the kitchen and deep windowsills (if you can even count that as a storage idea), but otherwise, there’s no defined space to put clothes, shoes, handbags, books, and other miscellaneous objects. I thought about buying a rolling rack, but I quickly shot down that idea because I'm self-aware enough to know that it would always look messy. I even considered hunting for an antique armoire at the local flea market – another idea I dismissed because I knew it would be impossible to get a piece like that up my three flights of stairs.
After a few weeks of tirelessly searching for practical, functional, and good-looking storage for my small space, I finally came across the winner: IKEA’s PAX Wardrobe.
Measuring almost eight feet tall, four feet wide, and two feet deep, this wardrobe is a spacious but thoughtfully sized storage solution for those living in small spaces. It features a generous interior fitted with shelves, drawers, a rod, and even a pull-out mirror. Sold in beige, gray, or white, this wardrobe can seamlessly blend with an interior of any style.
For my storage-less apartment, the PAX Wardrobe is a heaven-sent furnishing – giving me ample space for not only clothes and shoes, but for everything else that's been in need of a proper home, too. It makes sense for storage-deficient small bedrooms and shoebox-style apartments, but regardless of the size of your home, this wardrobe can effectively organize the space.
I see it working wonders in a mudroom – providing organization for hats, gloves, coats, and any other outdoor gear that usually gets tossed about. Since it's sold with several drawers, I'd recommend assigning drawers to family members so they know exactly where to stash their belongings when they enter the house. And since this wardrobe features a slide-out mirror, you can easily check your outfit before heading out the door.
IKEA's PAX Wardrobe is incredibly spacious. Its rod can fit about 30 hanging shirts, and if you so choose, you can install the shelves and drawers it's sold with to create even more storage. Plus, its large, decorative doors will hide any interior messes once shut.
What makes the PAX Wardrobe so desirable is that it's customizable – almost like you're getting a custom-made closet designed specifically for your space. It's sold in two sizes and three different colors. It'll ship with the frame, two doors, and interior elements that you can determine how to install – depending on your space's needs. And since it ships unassembled, you don't have to worry about mathematically angling it through your home before finding its resting spot.
I plan on making my PAX Wardrobe look less like a flat-pack furnishing and more like a bespoke piece by refashioning both its interior and exterior with design-driven details. If you want to do the same, shop my styling picks below.
How I'd Style IKEA's PAX Wardrobe
To make it easier to see everything inside your PAX Wardrobe, consider mounting this lamp on the top of its frame. Because of its slim, bendable design, you can mount it wherever you see fit and articulate it in whatever way you prefer.
Since the PAX Wardrobe isn't sold with door handles, you can decide how you'd like to stylize its exterior. I'd mount two of these pulls from Anthropologie. It's subtle, but still chic – a small detail that can make your wardrobe look even more like a custom piece.
The PAX Wardrobe has several drawers, but its top shelf is left wide open – perfect for a few storage baskets. This utility basket is short and wide – it'll fit effortlessly in that slim space at the top of the wardrobe. Use it to hold off-season accessories that need a proper home.
Though the PAX Wardrobe has space to hold about 30 shirts on standard hangers, these collapsible hangers can help you fit even more clothes in the closet. Sold in a set of four, each hanger has six tiers and can hang downward or across a rod. Plus, the sleek white form of these hangers will ensure a seamless look in the closet.
The PAX Wardrobe has plenty of space for a small laundry basket, and if you'd like one that looks pretty every time you open the wardrobe doors, I'd opt for this basket. I love its blooming vine print, as well as its quilted texture. And since it has handles, it's easy to pick up and carry out on laundry day.
Give your shoes a spot of their own with this hanging shoe organizer. With 10 open shelves, this unit provides plenty of space for shoes, and hanging it within your PAX Wardrobe means you can use the supplied shelves for things like clothes and accessories.
IKEA's PAX Wardrobe is one of the most practical solutions I've come across for adding a closet that looks custom without the custom price tag. It's sold with lots of interior features that you can install to your liking, and it can fit so much – from hanging shirts and folded pants to shoes, accessories, home supplies, or whatever else you need. Plus, you can even incorporate your own elements (like my suggestions above) to make it feel custom-made.
Sure, this wardrobe unit is an investment, but it's much cheaper than commissioning bespoke joinery, and I'm convinced it's totally worth it.
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