ᐅ IKEA PAX as a foldable wardrobe

Created on: 19 Dec 2016 14:20
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stefxan
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stefxan
19 Dec 2016 14:20
Hello everyone

I have already read quite a bit about Pax and rollers, but my question is somewhat different from the issues discussed.

I need a storage cabinet with a fold-out feature for my basement. After considering several options, a Pax combination seems useful. I plan to buy a deep Pax unit with a depth of 58cm (23 inches) and 1 meter (39 inches) wide, assemble it without doors, and secure it to the wall. The interior will consist of shelves and Trofast insert bins. Then I will buy two additional Pax modules, each 50cm (20 inches) wide and 38cm (15 inches) deep, which will be attached to the sides using hinges like this one
Metal hinge with two plates, central pin, and multiple holes.

Rollers, such as these, will be installed underneath
Four gray furniture rollers with metal mounting plates, showing mounting details

The height of the large Pax must, of course, match the rollers, so I plan to add boards underneath for proper leveling. What I still need are two back panels for the narrower Pax units and handles to pull them open. In total, when folded together, I can fit about one square meter (10.8 square feet) and two cubic meters (70 cubic feet) of storage compartments.

Does this make sense, or am I just imagining it?
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Schmidti82
19 Dec 2016 14:35
My uncle has a desk made from a cabinet like the one you described. I have no idea where he bought it; I can’t find anything similar online at the moment. However, the fold-out parts have the same depth as the base cabinet.

You definitely need to place all Pax wardrobes on boards; putting the casters directly on the floor won’t work (it would also be too unstable).

Honestly, I don’t really understand the purpose. You still need space to fold out the sides on both the right and left of the cabinet. In that case, you might as well just place the wardrobes side by side. Or is your goal to save on doors?
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stefxan
19 Dec 2016 14:47
Thanks for the response, Schmidti82.

Of course, I need the space to open it, but first, this way less space is lost right next to the walls (always an issue in basements), and second, and more importantly, I rarely need to access it. When I do need the items, I want everything organized and within reach. When I don’t need them, I can use the surrounding space differently. Sometimes several weeks can pass between accesses.

If the floor can’t support the wheels, a side mounting of the wheels on the inside would still be possible. I’m just wondering if the larger Pax wardrobe, meaning its side panels, would be suitable as a pivot point or if the whole thing would collapse if the lateral load is too much.

I’m really not sure if this will work in the long run. The total load isn’t that dramatic. It will probably be around 100-150 kilograms (220-330 pounds) for everything together.

Regarding the cost: No, the cost of the doors is not an issue. With high-quality wheels and hinges, it won’t get much cheaper anyway. The comfort is just different. I can stand or sit in the middle of the three cupboards and have all the stuff around me with proper lighting. I might also add rubber seals or small “brush strips” to the joints to ensure the cabinet closes tightly. I already entered everything into a cupboard configurator – the price comes to around 2,000 euros compared to about 700 for Pax.

Edit: In the meantime, I’ve found a somewhat reasonable technical term. It should be a kind of visible storage cabinet, with the difference that the compartments have significantly more volume.
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stefxan
20 Dec 2016 13:20
I created another image using the Pax configurator.

The red markings indicate hinges, while the blue ones show internal rollers. I still have no idea if the whole thing will work.

Large open white shelving system with many shelves in front of gray walls on a wooden floor.
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IKEA-Experte
20 Dec 2016 15:45
Whether this works largely depends on how level the floor is. If the rollers are unfolded and resting on the floor, and the floor slopes upward toward the front, the side panels will get stuck.

With loading straps and panel hooks, the structure should hold even without rollers. Appearance is less important in the basement.

I would firmly install two shelves each to increase the stability of the cabinet.
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stefxan
20 Dec 2016 15:54
Thanks, Ikea expert

The floor is nicely level; it’s the screed without any additional floor covering.

Loading straps and panel hooks are a good idea. However, I’m worried that it might become top-heavy, or that the thin exterior walls of the large box have to withstand both the downward pressure from above and the tension pulling forward or outward when opened. That sounds risky to me.

Are you referring to the two shelves for stability being screwed inside the box or at the base of the plinth?