ᐅ How can Ikea PAX be used efficiently in a small rental apartment?
Created on: 10 Feb 2023 18:23
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martenki6M
martenki610 Feb 2023 18:23Hello everyone,
I live in a rather small rental apartment where every square meter (square foot) counts. I’m planning to get the Ikea PAX wardrobe because it offers a lot of storage and, from what I’ve researched, is modular. Still, I’m wondering how to use the PAX efficiently in such a confined space without it dominating the room or restricting movement too much.
My apartment is about 25 square meters (270 square feet) in total, with an open-plan kitchen and living area, and I only have a niche about 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide that I could make use of.
I’m interested in any tips on how to size, organize, or even slightly modify the PAX to use it optimally. Also, which interior fittings (e.g., drawers, hanging rods, baskets) have proven useful for saving space and providing flexibility.
Does anyone have practical experience or clever ideas on how to integrate the Ikea PAX sensibly and efficiently in a small apartment so there’s still room left for living?
I live in a rather small rental apartment where every square meter (square foot) counts. I’m planning to get the Ikea PAX wardrobe because it offers a lot of storage and, from what I’ve researched, is modular. Still, I’m wondering how to use the PAX efficiently in such a confined space without it dominating the room or restricting movement too much.
My apartment is about 25 square meters (270 square feet) in total, with an open-plan kitchen and living area, and I only have a niche about 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide that I could make use of.
I’m interested in any tips on how to size, organize, or even slightly modify the PAX to use it optimally. Also, which interior fittings (e.g., drawers, hanging rods, baskets) have proven useful for saving space and providing flexibility.
Does anyone have practical experience or clever ideas on how to integrate the Ikea PAX sensibly and efficiently in a small apartment so there’s still room left for living?
Hello martenki6,
I am familiar with your concern, as I have built a similar setup in a small apartment. Here is a structured approach that can help you use the PAX efficiently:
- Preparation & Planning: Measure your niche precisely and note down the dimensions. The PAX system is available in widths of 50, 75, and 100 cm (20, 30, and 40 inches).
- Consider Depth: The standard depths are 35 cm and 58 cm (14 and 23 inches). In small apartments, I recommend the 35 cm depth, as the deeper version can quickly take up too much space.
- Choose Interior Layout Wisely: Use drawers and boxes mainly for smaller items. Hanging rods work well for clothing, but avoid stacking multiple ones vertically, as that requires a lot of height.
- Optional: Replace Doors with Mirrors: Sliding doors with mirrors visually enlarge the space.
- Promote Flexibility: Stay modular and consider storage boxes that can also be used outside the wardrobe.
If you like, I can also share my self-made Excel planning template that helps you organize the interior elements and check the dimensions.
A small tip: Depending on your wall, avoid fixing the back panel rigidly to ensure air circulation and prevent moisture problems.
Good luck with your project!
I am familiar with your concern, as I have built a similar setup in a small apartment. Here is a structured approach that can help you use the PAX efficiently:
- Preparation & Planning: Measure your niche precisely and note down the dimensions. The PAX system is available in widths of 50, 75, and 100 cm (20, 30, and 40 inches).
- Consider Depth: The standard depths are 35 cm and 58 cm (14 and 23 inches). In small apartments, I recommend the 35 cm depth, as the deeper version can quickly take up too much space.
- Choose Interior Layout Wisely: Use drawers and boxes mainly for smaller items. Hanging rods work well for clothing, but avoid stacking multiple ones vertically, as that requires a lot of height.
- Optional: Replace Doors with Mirrors: Sliding doors with mirrors visually enlarge the space.
- Promote Flexibility: Stay modular and consider storage boxes that can also be used outside the wardrobe.
If you like, I can also share my self-made Excel planning template that helps you organize the interior elements and check the dimensions.
A small tip: Depending on your wall, avoid fixing the back panel rigidly to ensure air circulation and prevent moisture problems.
Good luck with your project!
In addition to Nabla64’s comments, I would like to point out that in tight spaces, it is generally better to avoid fixed built-in solutions. PAX units work well because they are modular, allowing you to adjust or rearrange individual modules.
However, you should choose the cabinet height carefully. Very tall models (over 2 meters (6 ft 7 in)) may look sleek but can visually overwhelm the room. Therefore, it can make sense to use a combination of lower units, which you might even use as room dividers or multifunctional furniture pieces.
Also, consider the door opening direction. In narrow rooms, sliding doors are definitely more practical than hinged doors.
Another idea that has proven effective is to use parts of the PAX system for other purposes, such as an integrated workspace or storage surface on top of the cabinet (especially with lower models).
However, you should choose the cabinet height carefully. Very tall models (over 2 meters (6 ft 7 in)) may look sleek but can visually overwhelm the room. Therefore, it can make sense to use a combination of lower units, which you might even use as room dividers or multifunctional furniture pieces.
Also, consider the door opening direction. In narrow rooms, sliding doors are definitely more practical than hinged doors.
Another idea that has proven effective is to use parts of the PAX system for other purposes, such as an integrated workspace or storage surface on top of the cabinet (especially with lower models).
The following approach is recommended when installing IKEA PAX in small apartments with limited space:
- Choose the narrowest modules possible (50 cm [20 inches] wide) for optimal use of space.
- Use the 35 cm (14 inches) depth, as 58 cm (23 inches) takes up too much room and reduces accessibility in tight spaces.
- Install more drawers instead of shelves, as they allow for better organization.
- Avoid vertical hanging rods, as they consume a lot of vertical space.
- If possible, omit the back panel to improve air circulation.
- Prefer sliding doors, as they do not require extra clearance for opening.
A niche 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide is sufficient to combine a narrow PAX with multiple modules, for example two 50 cm (20 inches) modules side by side. This could make the most efficient use of the space.
- Choose the narrowest modules possible (50 cm [20 inches] wide) for optimal use of space.
- Use the 35 cm (14 inches) depth, as 58 cm (23 inches) takes up too much room and reduces accessibility in tight spaces.
- Install more drawers instead of shelves, as they allow for better organization.
- Avoid vertical hanging rods, as they consume a lot of vertical space.
- If possible, omit the back panel to improve air circulation.
- Prefer sliding doors, as they do not require extra clearance for opening.
A niche 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide is sufficient to combine a narrow PAX with multiple modules, for example two 50 cm (20 inches) modules side by side. This could make the most efficient use of the space.
Siflo schrieb:
Prefer sliding doors, as they do not require extra clearance space in the room.I can only agree with that! I initially had a PAX wardrobe with regular doors in my small apartment, and it was a constant challenge to open the wardrobe without knocking things over.
When I switched to sliding doors, it was a huge gain in available space. It’s also quiet, which really helps my nerves in a small apartment.
I also found it useful not to fill the PAX completely with shelves, but to use baskets and boxes that can be taken out. Especially in small apartments, this flexibility helps keep things organized and allows for quick storage and retrieval.
It almost feels like a small system that truly eases daily life instead of adding extra burden – which is particularly important in small spaces where every centimeter (inch) counts.
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martenki612 Feb 2023 09:17anken schrieb:
One idea that has proven effective is using parts of the PAX system for other purposes. For example, an integrated work surface or storage space on top of the wardrobe (especially with the lower models).That sounds very practical. I’m currently considering using a lower-height PAX wardrobe to create a small workspace with a laptop on top of it.
Is it stable enough, or does anyone have experience with using the wardrobe as a work surface? What should I keep in mind regarding load capacity and stability? Also, it would be interesting to know if this option has any drawbacks in terms of storage space.
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