Hello everyone,
I want to install an Ikea Pax wardrobe with sliding doors in my really small bedroom, which is quite challenging due to the limited space. The wall width is 180 cm (71 inches), and right in front there is a narrow passage about 80 cm (31 inches) wide, making the room feel very tight.
My question is: How can I best install the Ikea Pax with sliding doors in such a small room so that the doors open without obstruction and the space doesn’t feel even more cramped?
I have already considered alternatives for installation, such as adjusting the doors differently or using special tracks. Maybe someone has experience with narrower models or can offer tips on how to maximize space savings without compromising functionality.
It would also be helpful to know if it makes sense to install the wardrobe directly against the wall or with a slight gap, in case that improves the sliding doors’ operation.
Thank you in advance for your help!
I want to install an Ikea Pax wardrobe with sliding doors in my really small bedroom, which is quite challenging due to the limited space. The wall width is 180 cm (71 inches), and right in front there is a narrow passage about 80 cm (31 inches) wide, making the room feel very tight.
My question is: How can I best install the Ikea Pax with sliding doors in such a small room so that the doors open without obstruction and the space doesn’t feel even more cramped?
I have already considered alternatives for installation, such as adjusting the doors differently or using special tracks. Maybe someone has experience with narrower models or can offer tips on how to maximize space savings without compromising functionality.
It would also be helpful to know if it makes sense to install the wardrobe directly against the wall or with a slight gap, in case that improves the sliding doors’ operation.
Thank you in advance for your help!
Hello Lenpe,
I find your question very interesting, especially because of the tight dimensions. I have installed several Pax wardrobes with sliding doors in small rooms and can share some important points:
- Distance to the wall: For Pax sliding doors, the wardrobe should be placed as close to the wall as possible, but not too close. A gap of about 2–3 cm (1–1.2 inches) is ideal to ensure the tracks run smoothly without any sticking.
- Tracks: Ikea typically uses both top and bottom running tracks for the doors. In tight spaces, it is especially worth checking the installation with a spirit level, as even small unevenness can cause problems.
- Adjusting sliding doors: The doors can be adjusted in height at the bottom. Especially in small rooms, make sure to fully test this adjustment before fixing the doors, as shifting by just a few millimeters can make a big difference.
- Space in front of the wardrobe: Sliding doors require less clearance than hinged doors, but enough side space is needed so the doors can overlap slightly. With a 180 cm (71 inches) wide wardrobe and an 80 cm (31.5 inches) wide passage, this should be feasible provided there is no furniture blocking the area.
- Alternative: There are also Pax components with folding doors, which take up even less space in small rooms if sliding doors are not optimal.
To assist you more specifically: What is the ceiling height and what wardrobe depth are you planning to use? Sometimes narrower door frame profiles or even a customized cut of the door hangers can help, although Ikea does not officially support this.
Have you considered whether the door profiles could be minimally replaced? Sometimes steel or aluminum frames are slimmer and require less overlap.
I recommend loosely attaching the tracks before final installation and testing how the doors behave in the room first. If in doubt, always use an additional floor guide track, especially on uneven floors.
Best regards!
I find your question very interesting, especially because of the tight dimensions. I have installed several Pax wardrobes with sliding doors in small rooms and can share some important points:
- Distance to the wall: For Pax sliding doors, the wardrobe should be placed as close to the wall as possible, but not too close. A gap of about 2–3 cm (1–1.2 inches) is ideal to ensure the tracks run smoothly without any sticking.
- Tracks: Ikea typically uses both top and bottom running tracks for the doors. In tight spaces, it is especially worth checking the installation with a spirit level, as even small unevenness can cause problems.
- Adjusting sliding doors: The doors can be adjusted in height at the bottom. Especially in small rooms, make sure to fully test this adjustment before fixing the doors, as shifting by just a few millimeters can make a big difference.
- Space in front of the wardrobe: Sliding doors require less clearance than hinged doors, but enough side space is needed so the doors can overlap slightly. With a 180 cm (71 inches) wide wardrobe and an 80 cm (31.5 inches) wide passage, this should be feasible provided there is no furniture blocking the area.
- Alternative: There are also Pax components with folding doors, which take up even less space in small rooms if sliding doors are not optimal.
To assist you more specifically: What is the ceiling height and what wardrobe depth are you planning to use? Sometimes narrower door frame profiles or even a customized cut of the door hangers can help, although Ikea does not officially support this.
Lenpe schrieb:
Wie kann ich den Ikea Pax mit Schiebetüren in so einem kleinen Raum optimal montieren, sodass die Türen sich ohne Behinderung öffnen lassen und der Raum zugleich nicht noch erdrückender wirkt?
Have you considered whether the door profiles could be minimally replaced? Sometimes steel or aluminum frames are slimmer and require less overlap.
I recommend loosely attaching the tracks before final installation and testing how the doors behave in the room first. If in doubt, always use an additional floor guide track, especially on uneven floors.
Best regards!
Hi Lenpe,
install the Pax as close to the wall as possible and use the sliding door rollers with the setting for small gaps. Make sure the doors run smoothly in the track. This way, you will achieve minimal space use.
If the room is very tight, you can also consider opening the doors only halfway and working inside the wardrobe with well-organized storage to save space.
install the Pax as close to the wall as possible and use the sliding door rollers with the setting for small gaps. Make sure the doors run smoothly in the track. This way, you will achieve minimal space use.
If the room is very tight, you can also consider opening the doors only halfway and working inside the wardrobe with well-organized storage to save space.
Laukau5 schrieb:
There are also Pax components with folding doors that take up even less space in small rooms if sliding doors do not work optimally.May I quickly question this? Are folding doors really better for tight spaces than sliding doors? From what I understand, it is often said that folding doors require less wall clearance but are more complex and tend to break more easily.
I ask because Lenpe specifically asked about sliding doors, and I am planning a similar Pax wardrobe myself, where I am not even sure sliding doors are truly the best option.
Would you recommend keeping sliding doors in very small bedrooms, or is switching to folding doors worth it enough to outweigh the concerns about build quality and durability?
For me, it is important that the doors do not constantly stick or jam, which I find problematic with the more movable door fittings.
Lenpe,
your question shows that you have already thought through the topic quite well – a very small space combined with sliding doors requires precise planning. Here is a step-by-step approach I would take:
1. Measurement & Planning: Measure not only the wall width but also the floor height, any unevenness, and whether baseboards are installed. These factors affect the installation of the track.
2. Choose wall protection: When installing the PAX in a tight space, it’s advisable to use a thin spacer between the back of the wardrobe and the wall to ensure air circulation and possibly accommodate cables or insulation.
3. Align the sliding door track exactly: This is essential. Sliding doors are sensitive to misalignment. Using a good spirit level and possibly a laser level can help avoid even minimal deviations.
4. Adjust the doors: After installation, you can adjust the doors’ height and depth. Pro tip: Use a narrow piece of mounting wood as a test spacer between the door and the wall to check how much clearance is needed for the doors to slide smoothly.
5. Modify door suspension: If you feel confident, try setting the top sliding track slightly closer to the wall (for example, an additional 5mm (0.2 inches) gap) to improve the entry area for the doors.
6. Check and adjust the bottom tracks: Especially in older buildings, floors are often not perfectly even. This can cause the doors to catch at certain points. Small washers or rigid shims can help counteract this.
7. Optimize interior use: Remember that in small spaces, the interior division of the PAX is as important as the doors. Choosing internal fittings with shallow and front drawers as well as pull-out hanging rails allows access to contents even when the doors are only partially open.
8. Option for sliding door rollers: Use rollers with rubber coating or special low-friction rollers to prevent them from sticking easily.
The room feels more cramped if you place the wardrobe too close to the walkway. Consider positioning the 180cm (71 inches) wide wardrobe vertically along the longer wall so that the doors slide parallel to the passage, minimizing the depth required.
If that’s not possible, install wall and door stoppers to prevent damage and make full use of the PAX widths (for example, 75 + 75cm (30 + 30 inches) instead of 100 + 80cm (39 + 31 inches) if combining), so the sliding doors require less overlap.
If you can provide more details about the room, such as exact ceiling height and floor condition, I can offer further tips for fine-tuning.
your question shows that you have already thought through the topic quite well – a very small space combined with sliding doors requires precise planning. Here is a step-by-step approach I would take:
1. Measurement & Planning: Measure not only the wall width but also the floor height, any unevenness, and whether baseboards are installed. These factors affect the installation of the track.
2. Choose wall protection: When installing the PAX in a tight space, it’s advisable to use a thin spacer between the back of the wardrobe and the wall to ensure air circulation and possibly accommodate cables or insulation.
3. Align the sliding door track exactly: This is essential. Sliding doors are sensitive to misalignment. Using a good spirit level and possibly a laser level can help avoid even minimal deviations.
4. Adjust the doors: After installation, you can adjust the doors’ height and depth. Pro tip: Use a narrow piece of mounting wood as a test spacer between the door and the wall to check how much clearance is needed for the doors to slide smoothly.
5. Modify door suspension: If you feel confident, try setting the top sliding track slightly closer to the wall (for example, an additional 5mm (0.2 inches) gap) to improve the entry area for the doors.
6. Check and adjust the bottom tracks: Especially in older buildings, floors are often not perfectly even. This can cause the doors to catch at certain points. Small washers or rigid shims can help counteract this.
7. Optimize interior use: Remember that in small spaces, the interior division of the PAX is as important as the doors. Choosing internal fittings with shallow and front drawers as well as pull-out hanging rails allows access to contents even when the doors are only partially open.
8. Option for sliding door rollers: Use rollers with rubber coating or special low-friction rollers to prevent them from sticking easily.
Lenpe schrieb:
Wie kann ich den Ikea Pax mit Schiebetüren in so einem kleinen Raum optimal montieren, sodass die Türen sich ohne Behinderung öffnen lassen und der Raum zugleich nicht noch erdrückender wirkt?
The room feels more cramped if you place the wardrobe too close to the walkway. Consider positioning the 180cm (71 inches) wide wardrobe vertically along the longer wall so that the doors slide parallel to the passage, minimizing the depth required.
If that’s not possible, install wall and door stoppers to prevent damage and make full use of the PAX widths (for example, 75 + 75cm (30 + 30 inches) instead of 100 + 80cm (39 + 31 inches) if combining), so the sliding doors require less overlap.
If you can provide more details about the room, such as exact ceiling height and floor condition, I can offer further tips for fine-tuning.
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