Are you tired of looking at your plain, boring IKEA closet? Do you want to make it look like a custom built-in without breaking the bank? Well, you’re in luck because in this blog post, we’ll show you how to make your IKEA PAX into built-ins using some simple hacks and tips.
When we bought our 1929 Tudor there was much work to be done. From the things you could see like the bars on the windows to the things you couldn’t see, decaying 100 year old cast iron pipes, we really had so many projects.
One of our top priorities was adding a second shower/bath tub. The only tub was upstairs, but the room we planned to use as a guest room was downstairs. Very awkward for host and guests alike.
To remedy this, we took the closet space from the guest room for the adjacent bathroom and dropped in a tub/shower.
Then we replaced the closet using a DIY IKEA closet hack. Keep reading to see how we made the budget closet renovation look built-in and fit the style of our home.
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Steps How to Turn IKEA PAX into Beautiful Built-ins
1. Add Crown Moulding.
The first option in making your IKEA closet look like a custom built-in is to add moulding to the top and sides. This will give the closet a more finished look and make it appear as though it’s part of the wall. You can use wood or MDF molding, and it can be easily attached using a nail gun or adhesive.
You can choose to match the crown molding that exists throughout your house already. If there is no crown molding in your home, you can choose an elaborate option with lots of intricate detail or a very simple one.
In the photo above you can see a plain molding along the vertical edge where the closet meets the wall. This covers the gap and creates a nice, finished look. This and other supplies used are linked toward the end of the post.
The crown molding worked for us because we had wanted to add it in the room, and including it on the closet made sense to continue the line. Check out before photos of our guest room.
2. Add Baseboard.
Next up is sort of a continuation on moulding. As with the crown moulding, you will want to choose baseboards that match the type you have in the rest of your house.
We ran the baseboard along the side of the closet to keep the flow. There is not enough space to run the baseboard in the front of the closet so that stays as-is.
3. Invest in Hardware.
And don’t forget about the details. Adding hardware such as knobs and pulls to the closet doors and drawers can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of the closet. You can also add lighting inside the closet to highlight your clothes and accessories.
This was really fun to shop for! I found the three knobs at Anthropologie in the sale section! Our goal in renovating our house has been to bring back the 1920s charm that was stripped over the years, while balancing modern needs. I liked the warmth of the brass finish and the detail looked vintage to me.
Choose hardware that speaks to you and the style of the room.
4. Paint Your IKEA System.
This is another great way to really customize the look of your closet.
The IKEA PAX wardrobe system is available in white, black and gray.
Make sure to use a really good primer that will create a nice surface for the paint to adhere to. A primer is essential to ensure good adhesion. Once the primer is dry, you can use any oil- or latex-based paint suitable for laminate surfaces.
We chose to paint the closet the same color as our walls. I’ve been debating painting the closet and all moldings in the room a blue or green, but that’s a whole other topic.
You could also consider painting the closet a different color than the surrounding walls. This will create a contrast and make the closet stand out as a focal point in the room. You can choose a color that complements your existing decor or go bold with a statement color.
5. Order custom doors.
Finally, an item that will really solidify a custom look should you choose it- custom doors. We stuck with IKEA cabinet doors, but to further your bespoke look, check out Semihandmade for custom cabinet doors compatible with IKEA and other brands of cabinets. Since Semihandmade came out, other companies have followed suit and started to offer similar products. A simple Google search will bring them up.
There are other ways to make the closet doors look more custom, such as covering the panels in wallpaper or a raffia-type cloth. You really can get as creative as you like.
What we used How to Turn IKEA PAX into Beautiful Built-ins:
PAX Wardrobe frame – white, double
PAX Wardrobe frame – white, single
PAX Grimo Doors – white, three total
Cabinet Knobs – The ones I bought are no longer available, but I’ve linked similar options at the end of the post.
Zinser Primer – this will make a difficult surface ready for paint
Mullion Moulding – we used this on the vertical edges where the wardrobe frame meets the wall.
Base Board – this is the MDF version, but we actually used a wood version.
Caulk – covers any spaces between moulding and walls, ceilings, and the wardrobe frames. I linked caulk that is paintable.
Paint – we painted this color all over our house.
Paint roller – this one works well on IKEA composite materials.
Pin How to Turn IKEA PAX into Beautiful Built-ins
Have you ever tried an IKEA hack? Let me know in comments!
If you like home renovation projects, see how we transformed our fireplace.
Shop knobs for your closet renovation.
I found options that resemble the knobs we have, but I couldn’t resist linking a few other styles! Just click on the photos for more details and fun!