ᐅ How much storage space does an average Ikea PAX wardrobe provide?

Hello everyone,

I am currently planning a new wardrobe system for my bedroom and came across the Ikea PAX series. Since I have little practical experience with PAX so far, I am curious: How much storage space does an average Ikea PAX actually offer?

I am especially interested in the usable interior space, taking into account the different components such as shelves, hanging rails, and drawers. Does anyone have exact measurements, experience, or tips for optimal use?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Super interesting question, laszlokin4! 😊 I love the PAX series and can only say: it really offers a lot of storage space – and the flexibility is huge!

An average PAX wardrobe usually has about 50 cm (20 inches) width at the top and bottom each and a depth of around 58 cm (23 inches), with a height of 236 cm (standard height). This gives you well over 600 liters (21 cubic feet) of gross storage capacity, depending on how you design the interior.

I have been professionally using a PAX myself for years. Clothes rails usually fit 20-30 shirts or jackets. Drawers are ideal for smaller items, and shelves don’t take up much space but are important for stability.

Definitely don’t be discouraged by the assembly; the planning is worth it, and you can get really creative with inserts and shelves. Good luck!

labar43 schrieb:
An average PAX wardrobe usually has approximately 50 cm (20 inches) width at the top and bottom, with a depth of around 58 cm (23 inches) and a height of 236 cm (93 inches) (standard height). This gives you well over 600 liters (21 cubic feet) of gross storage space, depending on how you arrange the interior.

To add: Ikea offers PAX components in several widths, mostly 50 cm (20 inches), 75 cm (30 inches), and 100 cm (39 inches). The storage capacity varies significantly depending on the width and configuration. As a guideline, I recommend calculating the cubic volume based on the interior dimensions, which are approximately 58 cm (23 inches) depth, 201 cm (79 inches) or 236 cm (93 inches) height, and 50–100 cm (20–39 inches) width.

It’s practical to organize the available interior space using shelves, hanging rods, and drawers to best suit your needs. The modules offer flexibility, but you should always consider the wall width and ceiling height during planning.

I also advise deducting the volume occupied by built-in elements when calculating, so you get a realistic idea of the usable storage space.

laszlokin4 schrieb:
How much storage space does an average Ikea PAX actually offer?

I understand the need for a concrete number, but I think it also depends a lot on how you use and organize the wardrobe.

I have a PAX that is 100 cm (39 inches) wide and about 236 cm (93 inches) high. The sense of storage space is huge, but especially with clothing, you realize that it’s not just about counting the raw cubic meters. The organization—whether with baskets, shelves, or hanging rails—makes the difference. In my experience, a few well-placed drawers can use the space much more efficiently than just shelves.

Whenever I had doubts about how much would fit, it helped to sort out what I wanted to store and compare that to the interior dimensions. That way, I could more reliably estimate if everything would really fit in the PAX and whether I might need a second smaller wardrobe.

I can also understand that the size might be intimidating for some—the assembly isn’t always straightforward. But with proper planning, you get really durable storage space here.

SONLIS schrieb:
To add: Ikea offers the PAX units in several widths, usually 50 cm (20 inches), 75 cm (30 inches), and 100 cm (40 inches). The storage capacity varies significantly depending on the width and configuration.

Additionally, here is an objective assessment: The average PAX carcass is 58 cm (23 inches) deep, typically 201 cm (79 inches) or 236 cm (93 inches) high, with variable widths.

The volume of a 50 cm (20 inches) wide PAX wardrobe at 236 cm (93 inches) height and 58 cm (23 inches) depth is approximately 0.68 m³ (680 liters). The usable space largely depends on the internal layout.

A standard shelf takes up about 1.8 cm (0.7 inches) in vertical height. Clothes rails also occupy usable space but provide more efficient access to garments.

For practical planning, I recommend using the following formula for volume: width × depth × height (in meters) = gross storage capacity. When installing accessories, deductions should be considered.

An average configuration with 2–3 shelves and one clothes rail in the 50 cm (20 inches) model offers about 40–50% usable and easily accessible storage space.