ᐅ How can I use Ikea Pax wardrobes as storage in a children's room?

Hello everyone, I am currently planning the setup of the children’s room and want to use the Ikea Pax system for storage. My specific question is: What is the best way to use the Ikea Pax in a children’s room as practical storage so that it not only offers plenty of space but also remains child-friendly and easy to organize?

I am especially interested in how the interior fittings (e.g., shelves, drawers, clothes rails) can be arranged flexibly to accommodate a variety of items such as clothing, toys, books, and possibly accessories. Additionally, any tips on organizing the Pax so that toddlers can independently access and put away their belongings without it becoming too messy would be very helpful.

The room is about 12 m² (130 sq ft), but I want to use the space as efficiently as possible while keeping the look child-appropriate. Hopefully, someone has experience with setups or practical advice on which combinations and accessories have proven especially effective.

Hello li-bu, your request can be well addressed using the Ikea Pax system if the modules are carefully planned and the interior fittings are adapted to the child's needs.

First, it is important to fully utilize the vertical room height, as Pax is available in different heights. For a child's room, I would recommend either the medium height (about 201 cm (79 inches)) or the tall version (about 236 cm (93 inches)), depending on how easily the child can reach the upper levels.

The secret lies in the interior fittings: the combination includes shelves, clothes rails, drawers, pull-out mesh baskets, and boxes. Plan for double-sided clothes rails for items like shirts and pants; position the lower rail lower for children’s clothing, and use the higher rail for seasonal clothes or adult sizes.

– Tip 1: Drawers with soft-close runners make handling easier for children.
– Tip 2: Open baskets or plastic boxes with a window are perfect for small items and easy to remove.
– Tip 3: A module with shelves for books and games helps create more organization.

It is also important to zone the space within the Pax: easily accessible compartments at the bottom for toys, clothes in the middle, and less frequently used items at the top.

Finally, depending on the room size, you can place several narrow Pax units side by side, creating a flexible wardrobe wall. If you like, I can also give you tips on which size combinations are optimal for a 12 m² (129 sq ft) room. How old is your child, and what items should primarily be stored?

It is best to use the Pax wardrobe in the children's room with drawers and boxes at the bottom, so that children can access their belongings independently. Reserve the upper compartments for less frequently used items. Add shelves for books.

Palenar schrieb:
It is also important to zone the space inside the Pax: easily accessible compartments at the bottom for toys, clothing in the middle, and rarely used items at the top.

This kind of zoning is essential for usability in a child’s room. I would add that for small children, it’s helpful to use clearly visible and color-coded boxes. This way, children can immediately recognize where each item belongs. I also recommend drawers with dividers so that, for example, socks or small toys don’t get mixed up.

Additionally, combining open and closed elements works well: open shelves or compartments encourage quick access and promote independence, while closed cabinets help maintain order when parents want to store certain things out of sight.

li-bu schrieb:
My specific question is: How can I best use the Ikea Pax in the kids' room as practical storage so that it not only offers plenty of space but also remains child-friendly and organized?

A very structured approach is helpful here. My advice is to take a detailed inventory of the items before purchasing. This should include measurements and quantities of clothes, toys, books, and other belongings.

Then, customize the Pax system accordingly:
- Drawers with compartments for laundry and small items
- Clothing rods low enough for the child to reach independently
- Sliding or folding doors if space is limited
- Use of pull-out boxes for toys

I also recommend personalizing the Pax with learning and organization labels to encourage independence. The system’s adaptability is one of the reasons it works so well in a child's room.

tra_nina schrieb:
I also recommend customizing the Pax with learning and organization labels to encourage independence.

That’s a very good point. I would also suggest using modular interior components that can be adjusted without tools. This way, the wardrobe can easily adapt as the child grows.

A typical setup for us is:
- Several large drawers at the bottom with sorting inserts for toys and laundry
- A clothes rail at child height in the middle for everyday wear
- Shelves at the top for books, which we occasionally rotate

It’s also important to have good covering on the wardrobe doors or to use memo boards on the outside to keep its appearance attractive and organized.

How big is the room exactly? And is the Pax intended to be used as a standalone wardrobe or part of a larger built-in unit? Depending on the floor plan, this makes a big difference.