G
gentian619 Jul 2016 07:42Hello everyone,
I am currently preparing to install an IKEA PAX wardrobe in an apartment with a hardwood floor (solid wood planks, lacquered) and want to make sure the floor is not damaged, the wardrobe stands stable and secure, and any future damage or warping is avoided. My main question is: What is the best way to install the IKEA PAX wardrobe on hardwood floors?
Specifically, I am interested in the following points:
- How can I attach the bottom rail or base without damaging the wood planks?
- Are there any recommended protective measures (e.g. pads, special screws, spacers)?
- How can I ensure that the wardrobe does not slip without drilling directly into the floor?
- What advice is there for uneven hardwood floors to make sure the wardrobe is properly aligned and stable?
I have looked at the IKEA assembly instructions, but they only cover general information for standard floors. Since solid wood planks are more delicate and I have little experience with furniture installation on wood floors, I would really appreciate practical tips, recommendations, and shared experiences.
Thank you in advance for your help!
I am currently preparing to install an IKEA PAX wardrobe in an apartment with a hardwood floor (solid wood planks, lacquered) and want to make sure the floor is not damaged, the wardrobe stands stable and secure, and any future damage or warping is avoided. My main question is: What is the best way to install the IKEA PAX wardrobe on hardwood floors?
Specifically, I am interested in the following points:
- How can I attach the bottom rail or base without damaging the wood planks?
- Are there any recommended protective measures (e.g. pads, special screws, spacers)?
- How can I ensure that the wardrobe does not slip without drilling directly into the floor?
- What advice is there for uneven hardwood floors to make sure the wardrobe is properly aligned and stable?
I have looked at the IKEA assembly instructions, but they only cover general information for standard floors. Since solid wood planks are more delicate and I have little experience with furniture installation on wood floors, I would really appreciate practical tips, recommendations, and shared experiences.
Thank you in advance for your help!
Hello gentian61,
First of all, an important note: If you want to avoid visible damage to your wooden floor, I recommend not screwing the PAX wardrobe directly into the floor. IKEA’s assembly instructions usually require securing the unit to the wall anyway, which is necessary to prevent the wardrobe from tipping over.
Regarding your questions:
- "Attachment without damage": A very good tip is to stick felt pads or furniture glides under the wardrobe’s feet to prevent pressure marks and scratches.
- "Non-slip": Rubber mats or anti-slip pads from a hardware store can help keep the wardrobe in place.
- "Floor rail / plinth": IKEA often provides a type of rail that sits on the floor. If you want to screw this down, use short screws no longer than 4-5 mm (about 1/5 inch)—but only if you are confident about it.
- "Uneven floors": Small plastic or wooden wedges (leveling shims) can be placed behind the feet to compensate for uneven surfaces.
I strongly recommend securing the wardrobe to the wall at the end—usually with included brackets. This is for safety and stability, especially if the floor is not perfectly level.
If you want, I can explain in more detail how I did it myself. Don’t worry—a wooden floor is generally easier to drill into than tiles or concrete—but of course, it’s nicer to avoid drilling if possible.
First of all, an important note: If you want to avoid visible damage to your wooden floor, I recommend not screwing the PAX wardrobe directly into the floor. IKEA’s assembly instructions usually require securing the unit to the wall anyway, which is necessary to prevent the wardrobe from tipping over.
Regarding your questions:
- "Attachment without damage": A very good tip is to stick felt pads or furniture glides under the wardrobe’s feet to prevent pressure marks and scratches.
- "Non-slip": Rubber mats or anti-slip pads from a hardware store can help keep the wardrobe in place.
- "Floor rail / plinth": IKEA often provides a type of rail that sits on the floor. If you want to screw this down, use short screws no longer than 4-5 mm (about 1/5 inch)—but only if you are confident about it.
- "Uneven floors": Small plastic or wooden wedges (leveling shims) can be placed behind the feet to compensate for uneven surfaces.
I strongly recommend securing the wardrobe to the wall at the end—usually with included brackets. This is for safety and stability, especially if the floor is not perfectly level.
If you want, I can explain in more detail how I did it myself. Don’t worry—a wooden floor is generally easier to drill into than tiles or concrete—but of course, it’s nicer to avoid drilling if possible.
I assembled my PAX on a wooden floor as follows:
- Felt pads under the legs
- Non-slip mats between the wardrobe and the floor
- The wardrobe is only attached to the wall, not screwed into the floor
- Unevenness compensated with small wedges
This works very well, the floor remains protected, and the wardrobe stands stable.
- Felt pads under the legs
- Non-slip mats between the wardrobe and the floor
- The wardrobe is only attached to the wall, not screwed into the floor
- Unevenness compensated with small wedges
This works very well, the floor remains protected, and the wardrobe stands stable.
Hello gentian61,
I’d like to add a brief guide on how to properly install the PAX on a solid wood plank floor while protecting the floor at the same time.
1. Preparation:
- Check if your floor is perfectly level. You can use a spirit level to identify any uneven spots.
- Get good-quality felt pads, preferably round and thick enough to provide stable support.
2. Installing the feet:
- Stick the felt pads under each foot/base of the PAX. This creates a cushioned base.
3. Leveling unevenness:
- Use plastic wedges, which you slide under or behind the feet until the cabinet stands flat.
- Alternatively, small adjustable furniture feet are possible, but wedges usually do the job well and are more affordable.
4. Securing against slipping:
- Place narrow non-slip mats (anti-slip pads), designed for carpets, under the front feet.
- This provides good grip, preventing the cabinet from sliding.
5. Wall attachment:
- If possible, always use the supplied wall brackets and plugs. They ensure safety against tipping.
6. Additional floor protection:
- If your floor is lacquered and delicate, you can also place thin strips of rubber foam under the wedges or feet.
A common mistake is drilling directly into the wooden floor, which causes unsightly holes. If you must fix the cabinet to the floor, make sure to use special short screws or only drill into the joints between planks—never into the wood itself.
In summary: protect the floor by cushioning, stabilize the cabinet, and secure it safely to the wall. Feel free to ask if you have any more questions!
I’d like to add a brief guide on how to properly install the PAX on a solid wood plank floor while protecting the floor at the same time.
1. Preparation:
- Check if your floor is perfectly level. You can use a spirit level to identify any uneven spots.
- Get good-quality felt pads, preferably round and thick enough to provide stable support.
2. Installing the feet:
- Stick the felt pads under each foot/base of the PAX. This creates a cushioned base.
3. Leveling unevenness:
- Use plastic wedges, which you slide under or behind the feet until the cabinet stands flat.
- Alternatively, small adjustable furniture feet are possible, but wedges usually do the job well and are more affordable.
4. Securing against slipping:
- Place narrow non-slip mats (anti-slip pads), designed for carpets, under the front feet.
- This provides good grip, preventing the cabinet from sliding.
5. Wall attachment:
- If possible, always use the supplied wall brackets and plugs. They ensure safety against tipping.
6. Additional floor protection:
- If your floor is lacquered and delicate, you can also place thin strips of rubber foam under the wedges or feet.
A common mistake is drilling directly into the wooden floor, which causes unsightly holes. If you must fix the cabinet to the floor, make sure to use special short screws or only drill into the joints between planks—never into the wood itself.
In summary: protect the floor by cushioning, stabilize the cabinet, and secure it safely to the wall. Feel free to ask if you have any more questions!
Hello gentian61,
please keep the following in mind when installing an IKEA PAX wardrobe on a solid wood plank floor:
- Wooden floors are sensitive to moisture and pressure; therefore, pressure relief under the feet is recommended.
- The IKEA floor track is usually designed for hard surfaces like tiles and is fixed with screws; when dealing with wood floors, caution is advised to avoid visible holes.
Procedure:
1. Before installation, remove all baseboards if possible to maximize usable floor area.
2. Avoid screwing directly into the wood planks; if you must fix it, pre-drill with a small drill bit and use only extra-short screws (max. 3.5 cm (1.4 inches)). It is better to attach the wardrobe only to the wall.
3. Place thick felt pads under each foot to prevent pressure marks. Alternatively, there are special furniture gliders with hollow drilling that create small air cushions.
4. Use adjustable furniture casters or plastic furniture wedges to compensate for unevenness; these withstand moisture and dimensional changes better than wooden wedges.
5. Regularly check with a spirit level, especially after the initial installation and after a few weeks, to see if the wardrobe has settled or tilted.
I also recommend using a good moisture meter for wood before assembly to ensure that the wooden planks are well dried. Fluctuations in air humidity can otherwise promote deformation later.
If you like, feel free to provide more detailed information about the exact floor construction, such as wood species and plank thickness, so I can assist you more precisely.
please keep the following in mind when installing an IKEA PAX wardrobe on a solid wood plank floor:
- Wooden floors are sensitive to moisture and pressure; therefore, pressure relief under the feet is recommended.
- The IKEA floor track is usually designed for hard surfaces like tiles and is fixed with screws; when dealing with wood floors, caution is advised to avoid visible holes.
Procedure:
1. Before installation, remove all baseboards if possible to maximize usable floor area.
2. Avoid screwing directly into the wood planks; if you must fix it, pre-drill with a small drill bit and use only extra-short screws (max. 3.5 cm (1.4 inches)). It is better to attach the wardrobe only to the wall.
3. Place thick felt pads under each foot to prevent pressure marks. Alternatively, there are special furniture gliders with hollow drilling that create small air cushions.
4. Use adjustable furniture casters or plastic furniture wedges to compensate for unevenness; these withstand moisture and dimensional changes better than wooden wedges.
5. Regularly check with a spirit level, especially after the initial installation and after a few weeks, to see if the wardrobe has settled or tilted.
I also recommend using a good moisture meter for wood before assembly to ensure that the wooden planks are well dried. Fluctuations in air humidity can otherwise promote deformation later.
If you like, feel free to provide more detailed information about the exact floor construction, such as wood species and plank thickness, so I can assist you more precisely.
Parbo schrieb:
I also recommend using a reliable moisture meter for wood before assembly to ensure the wooden floorboards are properly dried.This is a very important point that many underestimate. Especially with newly installed floorboards or if the apartment has been recently renovated, residual moisture in the wood can lead to later warping and unwanted swelling.
An addition to my first post: If possible, assemble the wardrobe when the humidity levels are stable (for example, in summer). Dehumidifiers can sometimes help to carefully regulate indoor humidity if needed.
To protect the floor: If you open the wardrobe doors frequently and it is located near the entrance, placing a protective fleece underneath the entire wardrobe is recommended. This absorbs small movements and prevents abrasion.
Overall, keep in mind that the wardrobe should be secured exclusively to the wall to avoid damaging the floor with screws. After all, the floor is a valuable part of the home that you want to protect.
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