ᐅ Which Ikea PAX models are suitable for rental apartments with restrictions on drilling?

Hello everyone,

I am currently looking for a new wardrobe and am considering a model from the Ikea PAX range. However, in my current rental apartment, there are restrictions on drilling into the walls, which makes assembly and mounting a bit more complicated. My question to the community is therefore quite specific: Which Ikea PAX models are particularly suitable for rental apartments where drilling into the walls is very limited or not allowed at all?

I am especially interested in solutions or PAX variations that, through their design or special mounting options, allow the wardrobe to be stable and functional without the need for permanent wall fixings. If you have experience with rental apartments where drilling is heavily restricted, it would be great if you could share how practical the individual models are – maybe there are even tricks I don’t know yet.

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

Seditau schrieb:
Which Ikea PAX models are particularly suitable for rental apartments where drilling into the walls is very limited or prohibited?

Hey, great question! 😎 I had the same issue in my last apartment. My tip would be to go for the freestanding PAX models that don’t require wall mounting. There are versions that can be stabilized using tension rods between the floor and ceiling.

This completely eliminates the need to drill into the walls. Since Ikea PAX normally requires securing to the wall, but some users have come up with their own solutions like using tension rods to create furniture walls.

One downside: you need some clearance and a stable surface on both the ceiling and floor to place the rods securely. But if you have that, it works very reliably.

Maybe this could be an option for you!

Seditau schrieb:
Which Ikea PAX models are especially suitable for rental apartments where drilling into the walls is very limited or not allowed at all?

The challenge in rental apartments without the possibility of drilling is that PAX wardrobes usually rely on wall mounting for stability. However, there are actually a few options:

- Ikea PAX units with a depth of 35 cm (instead of 58 cm) are generally more stable as freestanding units because they exert less leverage.
- For large modules, stability can be improved by pushing two PAX units together and reinforcing them with cross braces inside the wardrobe.
- Another option is PAX wardrobe combinations on platforms or plinths, which reduce the risk of tipping.

Technically, I would recommend, if drilling is not possible, using sturdy floor-to-ceiling poles (there are universal solutions that can be adapted) or so-called tension strips.

Even more important is anchoring between the individual PAX units themselves. This will increase stability if no wall can be used.

Finally, a question for you: How strict is the no-drilling rule really? Some landlords allow temporary small drill holes if everything can be removed without a trace.

GOLO42 schrieb:
The challenge with rental apartments where drilling is not allowed is that PAX wardrobes usually rely on wall mounting for stability.

There you have it: Ikea and “no drilling” are like coffee without caffeine – something’s just missing! 😂

Jokes aside, I recommend taking a look at the narrower PAX wardrobe models, which are inherently quite stable. There are also some smart hacks:

- Use furniture shims to level the wardrobe on uneven floors.
- Place the wardrobe in a room corner for stability from two sides.
- And as mentioned, floor-to-ceiling stabilizers (often available second-hand) can secure everything firmly without attaching to the wall.

This way, you stay flexible and keep your landlord happy – no holes in the wall means no problems. So, do it like the pros: with a bit of creativity, anything’s possible! 😉

Seditau schrieb:
Which Ikea PAX models are particularly suitable for rental apartments where drilling into the walls is very limited or not allowed at all?

This topic is actually quite complex, but I will try to give you a useful overview.

Basically, Ikea recommends securing the PAX systems to the wall to prevent tipping—especially for larger models. This can be problematic in rental apartments with drilling restrictions. However, there are practical solutions:

- The smaller widths (50 cm or 75 cm (20 inches or 30 inches)) and especially the lower-height models are often stable enough when placed in a corner.

- Using tension rods between the floor and ceiling—these are usually self-supporting and leave no marks. They are installed inside the wardrobe, which significantly improves stability.

- Instead of using full PAX door fronts, you could opt for open frame units that put less pressure on the wall.

- It’s also important to combine multiple PAX elements and connect them to each other to increase overall stability.

If you want, I can also share tips on how to avoid damage when attaching to walls, in case permission is granted. Just let me know!