ᐅ How can Ikea PAX wardrobes be easily disassembled and transported when moving?

Hello everyone,

I am about to move and have several IKEA PAX wardrobes that I want to disassemble and transport as efficiently as possible. My question is: What is the best way to dismantle the IKEA PAX to make transport as easy and damage-free as possible?

I especially want to focus on the following points:
- Which tools are truly necessary?
- Is there a recommended order for disassembly to make reassembly easier later on?
- What is the best way to safely pack and stack the individual parts?

The wardrobe is approximately 236 cm (93 inches) tall, 100 cm (39 inches) wide, and 60 cm (24 inches) deep, with shelves and two sliding doors. I’m looking forward to your experiences and tips, especially on how to avoid damage since the furniture parts are quite heavy.

Thanks in advance!

Hello Renlis,

To safely and efficiently disassemble the IKEA PAX wardrobe, you should first prepare the appropriate tools. Usually, a Phillips screwdriver or a cordless drill with the correct bits is enough, as well as an Allen key, if available.

The disassembly should be done in the following order:
- Remove the doors and fronts first to reduce weight and prevent scratches.
- Take out the shelves and clothing rails.
- Completely remove the back panel, since it is often fixed with nails and could rub or break during transport.
- Then loosen the side panels and central posts.

Important: Make sure to systematically sort all screws and collect them in small labeled bags, for example. Afterwards, stack the large parts (carcass, side panels) as flat as possible and protect them with blankets or bubble wrap.

How exactly do you plan to transport the sliding doors? They are quite delicate and should be packed individually. Screws or nails from the back panel may come loose during loose transport – be sure to keep that in mind.

Do you have help? That will be important because of the weight.

I can easily understand that dismantling a large wardrobe like the PAX can be nerve-wracking. I recently moved my PAX wardrobe myself, and the most important thing I found was to take it step by step and not rush.

Sometimes it feels overwhelming when you think about how many parts there are, but if you follow the sequence from doors to shelves to side panels, it becomes much easier.

If you’re unsure, it’s better to get someone to help so that no one gets hurt and nothing gets damaged.

And don’t worry if something doesn’t look perfectly dismantled—usually you can repair or fix it in the new home.

Remove the doors first, then take out the floors and clothing rails. Carefully detach the back panel. Sort the screws and protect the parts with blankets.

For tools, I recommend a cordless screwdriver with interchangeable bits (Phillips and hex), since PAX cabinets usually use both types of screws.

The disassembly plan should be followed as outlined:
- Remove doors and rail system
- Take out shelves
- Carefully detach the back panel
- Separate the main cabinet components

It’s best to pack the parts with blankets or foam padding, especially the doors, as the sliding fronts are very delicate.

Maintaining spacing and protection between each part prevents scratches during transport. It is advisable to store the disassembled parts lying down rather than standing to avoid potential warping.

Great that you’re preparing so well! 🙂

Here’s how I disassembled and transported my PAX wardrobe during my move:
- First, I sorted and labeled all the screws (super helpful!)
- Packed the doors and shelves separately
- Wrapped the back panels in bubble wrap and placed them in the large box from the new wardrobe — you can’t see it, but it really protects them!

A quick tip: keep the assembly instructions — they come in handy next time too!

Good luck — a PAX wardrobe is definitely worth handling carefully!