Hello everyone, I am planning to outfit an entire wall in my home with the IKEA PAX wardrobe system to create a lot of storage space, especially for clothing, shoes, and various household items. My specific question is: How much total wall space, depth, and height should I plan for in order to create a functional PAX wall that is not only visually balanced but also practical to use? I know there are standard dimensions for the individual PAX units, but since I want to build a continuous wall using multiple elements, I am also interested in experiences regarding optimal clearance from doors, ceiling height, and whether it is better to use longer single modules or combine several smaller ones for the wall length. Additionally, I am uncertain about the depth: Should I go for the 35 cm (14 inches) or 58 cm (23 inches) option? How does this affect the room? Maybe someone also has tips for planning the interior organization, such as whether there are space differences caused by drawers or baskets that I should take into account? Thank you very much for your detailed answers!
K
Keatondra31 Jul 2023 20:31Hello tadupu, your question about planning a complete PAX wall is very well formulated, and the topic fits perfectly in this forum. Basically, the space requirements for a PAX wall depend on several factors, which I will gladly summarize for you:
- Width: PAX wardrobes come in 50 cm (20 inches), 75 cm (30 inches), and 100 cm (39 inches) wide modules. To create a wall that fully fills the space, the total length should be a multiple of these widths—for example, two or three modules of 100 cm (39 inches) each or a combination of these, depending on the room wall length.
- Depth: The standard depths are 35 cm (14 inches) (shallower, mainly for clothing) and 58 cm (23 inches) (deeper, for hanging clothes or drawers). Choose the depth based on where it will be placed and what you want to store. Shallower depth saves space but can be slightly less practical if you need more room.
- Height: PAX wardrobes are available in 201 cm (79 inches) (standard), 236 cm (93 inches) (tall), and 271 cm (107 inches) (very tall). Depending on the room height, you can choose the version that fits best. In very tall rooms, the highest option is worth considering to maximize space usage.
- Distance from doors/windows: You should allow at least 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) distance from adjacent doors so they can fully open and ensure good access.
Regarding your questions about interior fittings: The interior layout can slightly affect the space requirements because, for example, drawers need a bit more depth, and doors may require more clearance when opened. I recommend using the IKEA planner to virtually assemble the modules to get a better sense of the space needed.
If you like, I can also provide a short list of advantages and disadvantages of the different depths. Hope this helps you get started!
- Width: PAX wardrobes come in 50 cm (20 inches), 75 cm (30 inches), and 100 cm (39 inches) wide modules. To create a wall that fully fills the space, the total length should be a multiple of these widths—for example, two or three modules of 100 cm (39 inches) each or a combination of these, depending on the room wall length.
- Depth: The standard depths are 35 cm (14 inches) (shallower, mainly for clothing) and 58 cm (23 inches) (deeper, for hanging clothes or drawers). Choose the depth based on where it will be placed and what you want to store. Shallower depth saves space but can be slightly less practical if you need more room.
- Height: PAX wardrobes are available in 201 cm (79 inches) (standard), 236 cm (93 inches) (tall), and 271 cm (107 inches) (very tall). Depending on the room height, you can choose the version that fits best. In very tall rooms, the highest option is worth considering to maximize space usage.
- Distance from doors/windows: You should allow at least 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) distance from adjacent doors so they can fully open and ensure good access.
Regarding your questions about interior fittings: The interior layout can slightly affect the space requirements because, for example, drawers need a bit more depth, and doors may require more clearance when opened. I recommend using the IKEA planner to virtually assemble the modules to get a better sense of the space needed.
If you like, I can also provide a short list of advantages and disadvantages of the different depths. Hope this helps you get started!
Hello tadupu, I want to go into more detail here to make sure you consider all the important factors in your PAX wall planning.
The exact dimensions of a PAX wall are made up of the individual modules, but you should keep the following points in mind:
- Width: As mentioned before, 50, 75, and 100 cm (20, 30, and 40 inches) are common sizes. I recommend carefully coordinating the width with your room. It looks more balanced if an even number of equally sized elements is used. For example, if the wall is 3.5 meters (11 feet 6 inches) wide, it makes more sense to go for 3x 100 cm (3x 40 inches) or 2x 100 cm plus 1x 75 cm (2x 40 inches + 1x 30 inches), and work the remaining centimeters into the interior fittings.
- Depth: 35 cm (14 inches) is good for folded clothes or files, while 58 cm (23 inches) depth is better for hanging clothes. Keep in mind that with 58 cm (23 inches), depending on how far the doors open, you will need extra space in front of the wardrobe, plus about 10 cm (4 inches) clearance for handles and comfortable movement space in front of it.
- Height: You have 201, 236, or 271 cm (79, 93, or 107 inches) options. Be sure that your ceiling does not have slopes or beams that make installing the higher models difficult.
- Clearance in front of the wardrobe: Plan for at least 80 cm (31 inches) of free space in front of the wardrobe. This allows comfortable opening of doors and drawers, especially if you exclude sliding doors.
- Planning the wall height and possible cover strips: The gap between the ceiling and the top of the wardrobe is visually significant and can be concealed with trim.
A concrete example calculation:
- Wall width: 300 cm = 3x 100 cm modules (120 inches = 3x 40 inches)
- Depth: 58 cm for hanging clothes (23 inches)
- Height: 236 cm with a room height of about 250 cm (93 inches vs. 98 inches)
- For doors plus clearance, calculate: 58 cm depth + 10–15 cm clearance in front = about 75 cm (30 inches) total depth space needed
So you should keep at least about 75 cm (30 inches) free in front of the wardrobe to avoid feeling cramped. The width should be planned as described above, with minimal gaps between the elements (less than 1 cm, usually balanced out by reinforcing stabilizing strips).
One more tip: If you plan sliding doors, you can save some space in front of the wardrobe since they don’t swing outward. With regular hinged doors, always account for the door opening angle.
Feel free to get back to me with details about your room, and I’ll help you calculate everything exactly.
The exact dimensions of a PAX wall are made up of the individual modules, but you should keep the following points in mind:
- Width: As mentioned before, 50, 75, and 100 cm (20, 30, and 40 inches) are common sizes. I recommend carefully coordinating the width with your room. It looks more balanced if an even number of equally sized elements is used. For example, if the wall is 3.5 meters (11 feet 6 inches) wide, it makes more sense to go for 3x 100 cm (3x 40 inches) or 2x 100 cm plus 1x 75 cm (2x 40 inches + 1x 30 inches), and work the remaining centimeters into the interior fittings.
- Depth: 35 cm (14 inches) is good for folded clothes or files, while 58 cm (23 inches) depth is better for hanging clothes. Keep in mind that with 58 cm (23 inches), depending on how far the doors open, you will need extra space in front of the wardrobe, plus about 10 cm (4 inches) clearance for handles and comfortable movement space in front of it.
- Height: You have 201, 236, or 271 cm (79, 93, or 107 inches) options. Be sure that your ceiling does not have slopes or beams that make installing the higher models difficult.
- Clearance in front of the wardrobe: Plan for at least 80 cm (31 inches) of free space in front of the wardrobe. This allows comfortable opening of doors and drawers, especially if you exclude sliding doors.
- Planning the wall height and possible cover strips: The gap between the ceiling and the top of the wardrobe is visually significant and can be concealed with trim.
A concrete example calculation:
- Wall width: 300 cm = 3x 100 cm modules (120 inches = 3x 40 inches)
- Depth: 58 cm for hanging clothes (23 inches)
- Height: 236 cm with a room height of about 250 cm (93 inches vs. 98 inches)
- For doors plus clearance, calculate: 58 cm depth + 10–15 cm clearance in front = about 75 cm (30 inches) total depth space needed
So you should keep at least about 75 cm (30 inches) free in front of the wardrobe to avoid feeling cramped. The width should be planned as described above, with minimal gaps between the elements (less than 1 cm, usually balanced out by reinforcing stabilizing strips).
One more tip: If you plan sliding doors, you can save some space in front of the wardrobe since they don’t swing outward. With regular hinged doors, always account for the door opening angle.
Feel free to get back to me with details about your room, and I’ll help you calculate everything exactly.
W
warrenka571 Aug 2023 10:47I almost forgot that you also wanted to know how much space is needed for furniture with drawers or baskets. That’s a good point!
At my place, the problem was that we couldn’t keep 80 cm (31.5 inches) of clearance in front of the PAX wardrobes, but only about 60 cm (24 inches). This makes handling the drawers and opening the doors a bit cumbersome.
From my experience, I would definitely recommend not arranging the space too tightly. Maybe you could think about using sliding doors, which reduce the space needed in front of the wardrobes.
One more thing: I chose the 58 cm (23 inches) deep version for my clothes because I have a lot of hanging garments. Are there particular types of clothing you plan to store mostly? That can affect the depth requirement even more.
So, I think your plan to consider not only the external dimensions but also the clearance space for operation in front is correct.
Gafiel schrieb:That wasn’t very clear to me at first either: doors require space to open, which makes the available room space feel much smaller.
With standard doors, be sure to consider the opening angle.
At my place, the problem was that we couldn’t keep 80 cm (31.5 inches) of clearance in front of the PAX wardrobes, but only about 60 cm (24 inches). This makes handling the drawers and opening the doors a bit cumbersome.
From my experience, I would definitely recommend not arranging the space too tightly. Maybe you could think about using sliding doors, which reduce the space needed in front of the wardrobes.
One more thing: I chose the 58 cm (23 inches) deep version for my clothes because I have a lot of hanging garments. Are there particular types of clothing you plan to store mostly? That can affect the depth requirement even more.
So, I think your plan to consider not only the external dimensions but also the clearance space for operation in front is correct.
From a planning perspective, it is important to work as precisely as possible with the room dimensions.
- The standard height of the PAX units is 201, 236, or 271 cm (79, 93, or 107 inches). Make sure to measure the room height accurately, as a tolerance of just a few centimeters can already be decisive for which dimensions will be practical.
- A depth of 35 cm (14 inches) is suitable for folded work clothes or, for example, shelves for shoes or accessories. A depth of 58 cm (23 inches) is recommended if hanging clothes are to be stored – here, the width of the clothes including hangers needs to be taken into account.
- As a theoretical calculation for the clearance in front of the wardrobe: at least 60 cm (24 inches) of movement space; 80 cm (31 inches) is recommended for comfortable work and door opening.
Your usage concept thus has a significant impact on the space requirements. If you prefer sliding doors, the distance in front of the wardrobe can be planned smaller, since they require less opening space.
Recommendation: Do not let IKEA dimensions in your planning be guided solely by the desire for maximum storage space; always incorporate dimension profiles.
If the wall is planned to be longer – that is, with several modules side by side – the joints are minimal, usually less than 1 cm (0.4 inches), and are securely fastened with connector fittings.
The distance to doors and windows should be at least 10 cm (4 inches) to ensure freedom of movement and prevent damage.
If you like, I can provide a short checklist with the most important measurements.
- The standard height of the PAX units is 201, 236, or 271 cm (79, 93, or 107 inches). Make sure to measure the room height accurately, as a tolerance of just a few centimeters can already be decisive for which dimensions will be practical.
- A depth of 35 cm (14 inches) is suitable for folded work clothes or, for example, shelves for shoes or accessories. A depth of 58 cm (23 inches) is recommended if hanging clothes are to be stored – here, the width of the clothes including hangers needs to be taken into account.
- As a theoretical calculation for the clearance in front of the wardrobe: at least 60 cm (24 inches) of movement space; 80 cm (31 inches) is recommended for comfortable work and door opening.
Your usage concept thus has a significant impact on the space requirements. If you prefer sliding doors, the distance in front of the wardrobe can be planned smaller, since they require less opening space.
Recommendation: Do not let IKEA dimensions in your planning be guided solely by the desire for maximum storage space; always incorporate dimension profiles.
If the wall is planned to be longer – that is, with several modules side by side – the joints are minimal, usually less than 1 cm (0.4 inches), and are securely fastened with connector fittings.
The distance to doors and windows should be at least 10 cm (4 inches) to ensure freedom of movement and prevent damage.
If you like, I can provide a short checklist with the most important measurements.
K
Keatondra2 Aug 2023 21:37warrenka57 schrieb:
I chose the 58 cm (23 inches) depth version for my clothes because I have a lot of hanging garments. I agree with that. For generally hanging clothes, the 58 cm (23 inches) depth is the most practical choice. The 35 cm (14 inches) depth saves space but limits the hanging length somewhat.
tra_nina schrieb:
As a theoretical calculation for the clearance in front of the wardrobe: at least 60 cm (24 inches) of movement space; 80 cm (31 inches) is recommended for comfortable working and door opening. Those are excellent values – especially the 80 cm (31 inches), which is highly recommended if you need to fully extend drawers. At my home, the distance is 85 cm (33 inches), and it’s very comfortable.
One more tip: If the room is very small, consider combining shallow wardrobe units with large sliding doors. This saves space and usually looks very modern.
Otherwise: Careful pre-planning with a sketch or using the IKEA planner can be very helpful – it lets you try out different combinations virtually.
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