ᐅ How can Ikea Pax wardrobes be disassembled and reassembled when moving?

Hello everyone, I am planning a move soon and own an Ikea Pax wardrobe, built as a modular combination with sliding doors. My question is: How can I properly disassemble the Ikea Pax wardrobe for the move without causing damage and then reassemble it correctly? Are there any special tools or techniques I should definitely be aware of? It is especially important for me to know if and how the sliding doors can be safely removed without damaging the mechanism. I am also interested in whether there is a recommended sequence, based on the individual modular parts, to make the reassembly as easy as possible. Does anyone have experience with disassembling and reassembling the Pax system during a move? I would really appreciate it if you could share your tips, step-by-step instructions, or advice on handling the individual components.

Hello Nebahatmu,

Basically, disassembling the Ikea Pax wardrobe is quite doable, but there are some details to keep in mind:

- Tools: A cordless screwdriver with both Phillips and flat-head bits works best. Some screws, dowels, and wooden pins need to be carefully loosened.
- Doors: The sliding doors can be removed by unlocking the upper rollers; for this, they need to be lifted upwards and then tilted forward. It’s important to clean and check the tracks beforehand.
- Disassembly: It’s best to take the wardrobe apart from top to bottom – remove the doors, then the shelves, next the side panels, and finally separate the main frame.
- Packaging: Parts should be well padded and labeled to make reassembly easier later on.

A tip: Take photos of the assembled wardrobe, as this really helps during reassembly. Also, be sure to have the assembly instructions ready to read before starting to disassemble. For particularly heavy models, a second person can be very helpful.

If the door rollers are stiff, lightly oil them before storage.

I hope this helps you with your move!

hauklo schrieb:
The sliding doors can be removed by unlocking the upper rollers; to do this, they need to be lifted upwards and then tilted forward.

That’s the most important point—because the doors can be a bit tricky, haha! 😄

Otherwise, I can only advise you to always allow some extra time when disassembling, and collect the screws in small plastic bags, which you should label with a sketch or photo. Nothing is more frustrating than having a bag full of screws and no idea where they go during reassembly.

A little fun tip: turn the Pax disassembly into a party—bring your favorite music and the whole process will almost do itself. Jokes aside, the wardrobe is sturdy, so don’t worry, it will hold up to being taken apart. Just take it step by step when reassembling, that works best.

One should not underestimate the complexity of the fasteners used in Pax systems. The lamellos and wooden dowels can easily bend or break if handled improperly, which can result in unstable connections during reassembly.

Nebahatmu schrieb:
whether and how the sliding doors can be safely removed without damaging the mechanism.

Regarding the sliding door mechanism: I actually recommend inspecting all plastic components for damage before removal, as they can suffer from transport and repeated assembly. If replacement parts are needed, they can usually be ordered through IKEA, but consider documenting everything thoroughly before disassembly and maintaining the tracks with a silicone-based lubricant.

At the same time, it is advisable not to completely dismantle the wardrobe into individual parts, but only as much as necessary for transport. Repeated assembly and disassembly can especially strain wood-based materials when lower-cost materials are used.

neo59 schrieb:
not to completely disassemble the wardrobe into individual parts, but only as much as necessary for transport.

I find this an interesting approach, as many consider disassembly just a routine task. But with Pax wardrobes, frequent disassembly can often accelerate wear and tear. The same applies to reassembly: the more you take the system apart, the more looseness develops over time.

From personal experience: I have disassembled two Pax wardrobes multiple times; the second one now wobbles a bit and shows minor cracks on the back panel. So, if you want a high-quality, durable wardrobe, you should really only disassemble it when absolutely necessary.

You could almost say that the Pax system is designed more for permanent installation – and the classic approach when moving is to leave wardrobes in place or create larger units for transport.

Still, as practitioners, we obviously need solutions, and I believe that with care and good preparation, it can be done successfully.