ᐅ What is the best way to install Ikea Pax wardrobes on uneven floors?

Hello everyone, I am currently planning to install an Ikea Pax wardrobe in my apartment, but the floor at the intended location is not level and has some minor unevenness. My question is: what is the best way to install an Ikea Pax on an uneven floor?

Specifically, I would like to know which tools, materials, or aids you recommend to assemble the wardrobe so that it stands stable and straight without tipping or developing issues later.

Are there any particular tips for adjusting the feet or leveling legs? Should the floor unevenness be fixed beforehand, or can it be compensated for directly on the wardrobe?

Perhaps you also have experience with different floor types (e.g., parquet, tile, screed) and how they affect the installation.

I’m really looking forward to your advice, as I want a clean and long-lasting solution.

The easiest way is to individually adjust the leveling feet of Pax. They can usually be turned to compensate well for uneven floors. If the floor is very uneven, you can also place small wedges underneath for stable support.

Your question is very relevant because floor unevenness can indeed cause problems with large cabinets like the Pax if not addressed carefully.

First, you may need to measure the unevenness accurately using a spirit level. Check whether the issue is localized (e.g., a floor bump) or spread over a larger area.

For the installation itself, I recommend the following approach:
- Insert all the adjustable feet on the cabinet before tightening them.
- Use the spirit level to determine which feet need adjustment and by how much.
- Rotate the adjustable feet so that the cabinet base makes firm contact with the floor on all sides.
- Small gaps between the feet and the floor can then be filled with thin felt or rubber strips to prevent floor damage.

If the floor is very uneven (more than about 1 cm (0.4 inches) difference), it is advisable to level the surface beforehand, for example with appropriate leveling compounds or a stable substrate. Otherwise, the cabinet may warp, which can affect doors and hinges.

One more important note: avoid using makeshift supports like unevenly cut wood, as this may compromise stability and lead to unwanted stress on individual feet.

What type of flooring do you have? That would also be useful to know.

FAZAR schrieb:
What type of floor do you have? That would be interesting to know.

Thank you very much for the detailed advice! The floor is an older parquet floor with some minor unevenness at the joints between the individual planks. The difference at the most problematic spot is about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches).

I was wondering whether it would be enough to adjust the leveling feet as recommended, or if I should still use something like wooden shims or a thin leveling mat underneath. Do you or anyone else have any recommendations for parquet floors? Should special materials be used to avoid damaging the floor?

For parquet flooring with minor unevenness under 1 cm (0.4 inches), it is advisable to avoid hard shims to prevent pressure marks. Instead, I recommend:

- Maximizing the use of adjustable feet and setting them individually.
- Attaching felt pads or special furniture gliders under the feet to protect the parquet and compensate for small height differences.
- If the wardrobe still wobbles, use thin strips of foam rubber that have some give.

It is important that the wardrobe is not under any stress. A stable-standing wardrobe with protection for the parquet is the best long-term solution.

I had the same problem myself. I simply used small carpet pads on the adjustable feet. It worked really well, the cabinet has been stable for 2 years and the floor is well protected.

This might be a bit easier than wooden shims and allows you to better adjust the thickness.