ᐅ How do I install IKEA PAX wardrobes on uneven floors?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to assemble an Ikea PAX wardrobe in my bedroom. The problem is that the floor is not completely level – there are slight inclinations and a minimal bowing across the surface. My main question is: How do you install a PAX wardrobe on uneven floors so that it stands stable and does not later experience issues like wobbling or stress damage?

A few details:
- The floor is an older wooden plank floor, with height differences of up to about 15 mm (0.6 inches) in some areas
- I have considered whether to use the wardrobe’s adjustable feet or rather add some kind of underlay
- Would a leveling compound make sense, or are there special furniture adjustments?

I would really appreciate any experience-based advice, tips on the best approach, and recommendations for suitable materials or tools.

Thank you in advance!

Hello,

I installed my PAX on an uneven laminate floor by using the adjustable feet and carefully leveling them. It is important to adjust each foot individually to ensure the cabinet does not wobble.

If the unevenness is too severe, thin wooden boards or furniture shims can be used as a base.

Hello Onhau54,

I would like to share my contribution as a small step-by-step tutorial on the topic "Assembling Ikea PAX on an uneven floor."

1. Measure the floor precisely: Use a spirit level or a digital level to check for unevenness in the room. Mark the highest and lowest spots.

2. Attach the adjustable feet: The PAX units come with adjustable feet. You should fully use these to set the wardrobe to the correct height at every point.

3. Use shims if necessary: For unevenness greater than about 10 mm (0.4 inches), adjusting the feet alone might be difficult. Flexible supports like thin plywood sheets or furniture wedges are recommended – avoid unstable materials like cardboard.

4. Secure to the wall: An important factor to prevent wobbling is securing the unit to the wall, which Ikea already provides hardware for. Make sure to use these brackets firmly to give the wardrobe additional support.

5. Check during assembly: Do not fully assemble the modules before adjusting all feet and checking for stability.

Common mistakes include neglecting wall fastening and avoiding direct adjustment of the feet. If you follow these steps, the wardrobe should stand stable and secure.

Good luck with the assembly!

Onhau54 schrieb:
The floor is an older wooden plank floor, which has height differences of up to about 15 mm (0.6 inches) in some areas

With a difference of up to 15 mm (0.6 inches), you are dealing with a moderate unevenness that is difficult to compensate for with adjustable feet alone. Therefore, my recommendation:

- First, measure the floor thoroughly, as wooden planks often have localized irregularities.

- Use stable, thin leveling panels made of wood or MDF, placing them under the PAX feet at the specific points to fill the gaps.

- You can also use self-adhesive felt or rubber pads that provide slight leveling and at the same time protect the cabinet from slipping.

- Make sure the underlays are mechanically stable, as the cabinet may settle over time and otherwise become wobbly.

- Alternatively, a self-leveling compound with a low layer thickness could be applied if the floor is stable enough and no plank repairs are necessary.

Finally, be sure to install wall anchors, as foot leveling alone is not sufficient to ensure long-term stability with such large unevenness.

I would also be interested in more details: How large is the cabinet (width and height), and how are the uneven areas distributed locally? This information helps with specific recommendations.

jelite schrieb:
Fixing to the wall: An important factor against tipping is wall mounting, which Ikea includes anyway.

That is absolutely correct and essential. Additionally, I recommend a step that many overlook: check if the wall itself is vertical. If the wall is crooked, you need to adjust the mounting so the cabinet is properly aligned—this can be done, for example, with washers or larger anchors.

Furthermore, with uneven floors and tall cabinets like PAX, it is important to follow safety regulations to prevent tipping. Installing the wall brackets is not only relevant for stability but also for insurance reasons.

When it comes to floor slope, only adjustment with leveling feet or shims helps—self-leveling compounds or other measures are more suited for floor work than furniture assembly.

In short:
- Check the floor and adjust leveling feet accordingly
- Use stable shims
- Always use wall mounting and ensure the wall is straight

These three points ensure a secure base and a permanently stable construction.