ᐅ How can I add extra drawers to a Pax wardrobe afterwards?

Good morning everyone, I have a Pax wardrobe system from IKEA that I purchased some time ago. Now I want to add extra drawers inside the existing frame because I need more storage space. My question is: How exactly can I install additional drawers in an already assembled Pax frame without having to dismantle the entire structure? Are there special rails, adapters, or installation methods that work particularly well to fit the new drawers securely and precisely? I’m also interested in whether the procedure differs depending on whether the frame already has doors or not, and if certain Pax models are better suited for this. Thanks in advance for your tips and experiences!

In principle, it is possible to add extra drawers to a Pax cabinet after assembly, even if it is already partially filled. The key requirement is that the cabinet must be able to accommodate drawer slides, meaning it needs to have the appropriate holes or mounting options on the inside of the sides.

- Typically, the Ikea Pax drawer slides, which are compatible with the cabinet, are used for installation. These can be hooked in and secured afterward.
- If the cabinet already has doors, they may need to be removed temporarily, as installing the slides and drawers can otherwise be difficult or impossible.
- There are Pax models with different depths and heights, which can affect the choice of suitable drawers.
- Important: Before purchasing the drawers, carefully compare the measurements with the existing interior space.

Recommendation: It is often helpful to consult the assembly instructions for the specific drawer type, as they usually contain special notes regarding retrofitting.

Hello Haiko4, to answer your question in more detail: If you want to integrate the new drawers into the existing Pax system, you should follow these steps:

- First, check if there are any rails or drill holes for drawer slides on the interior walls of the cabinet.
- If not, you can use special Pax rails where the slides are screwed in from the sides. It is important to choose the correct position according to the assembly instructions.
- Doors usually need to be removed to provide enough space for installing the drawers.
- During installation, it is essential to work evenly and precisely so that the drawers run smoothly and do not get stuck.

If the cabinet frame is rather old, you should also check whether the new drawer slides are compatible with this model. Older systems sometimes have differences in dimensions.

I would recommend the process as follows:

1. Preparation: Remove the cabinet doors to create enough space for the installation.
2. Measure the interior space to select the appropriate drawer models and rail sets.
3. Check if there are mounting points for drawer rails on the inside of the Pax frame. These are usually arranged as rows of drill holes on the right and left sides.
4. If no holes are present or the frame is not prepped, individual drawer slides can also be mounted directly to the interior side using screws.

A common mistake is installing the rails too loosely or unevenly, which causes the drawers to stick or not close properly.

In summary: Ikea’s drawer sets for Pax are generally designed to be added afterward, provided the necessary holes are present or can be marked and drilled new. If uncertain, it is worthwhile to do a trial installation without the full load to identify any potential issues early.

RENMA schrieb:
If the cabinet already has doors, it may be necessary to remove them, as installing the rails and drawers can otherwise be difficult or even impossible.

That makes sense, thank you. The cabinet actually has sliding doors, not hinged ones. Is this a bigger issue with sliding doors? I can’t simply take the doors off because they run on the track. Do I need to remove the sliding door tracks to install the drawers? Or does anyone here know a trick to install the drawers without dismantling the doors?

Haiko4 schrieb:
The cabinet actually has sliding doors, not hinged ones. Is that a bigger issue with sliding doors? I can’t simply remove the doors since they run on a track.

The topic of sliding doors does make things somewhat more challenging. Sliding doors are designed to run firmly within a continuous track and often cannot be fully removed without tools or disassembly. Here are some tips from me for retrofitting drawers into a Pax cabinet with sliding doors:

- First, check if the top and bottom tracks are fastened with screws. In some models, the tracks can be loosened to unhook the doors.
- Often, you can carefully lift the doors out of the bottom track and slightly unhook the top track – this is often easier than expected, but proceed gently.
- If that’s not possible, the only alternative is to choose drawers that are as narrow or shallow as possible from the inside, possibly using specialized slides to allow installation between the door and the side panel of the cabinet.
- As a last resort, you might consider temporarily removing the sliding doors during the renovation so the drawers can be installed, then carefully rehanging the doors afterward.

In general, I recommend checking the exact configuration of the doors and drawers in your Pax cabinet before installation to ensure you have enough clearance for movement.