ᐅ Is there a way to customize PAX for DIY home projects?

Hello Biisrael,

I can understand your question well, as Pax is often seen as a “modular system,” which can sometimes reach its limits.

As jordanvin already mentioned, adjustments to internal layouts and doors offer many possibilities. However, if you want to change the external dimensions, there are restrictions because the frame profiles are special and can lose stability if dimensions are uneven.

If you need deeper or different measurements, it is often advisable to use existing carcasses as a base and supplement them with additional parts or your own wood. Regarding materials: the original material is somewhat flexible, but for a high-quality and durable solution, you should use solid wood or other sturdy panels for major deviations.

I’m happy to help if you have specific projects or measurements—then we can look together at the best way to implement them!

Hey,

I find PAX really exciting for DIY projects – you can do quite a lot with it, and it’s a lot of fun! 😁

Gilbert schrieb:
Sometimes the standard system itself isn’t the problem, but the desire to customize.

That’s so true! Sometimes all it takes is the right twist to turn a PAX wardrobe into something really cool. Swapping doors, maybe decorating with vinyl or wallpaper, building your own interior – all doable!

Of course, it’s not a high-end closet system, but for home use it’s very flexible. Just give it a try and expect to make some mistakes – that’s part of the process. 😉

For factual clarification: PAX systems are modular and use standardized profile dimensions and connecting elements to keep production cost-effective. This naturally results in certain limits regarding dimensions and material wall thicknesses.

Modifying the basic dimensions, such as depth or height, is technically possible but requires complex adjustments to the connecting materials and frames. This only makes sense if you have the appropriate tools and experience in woodworking.

Regarding material adjustments as well: The use of alternative materials should be able to replicate the specific properties of the composite structure to maintain structural load capacity. This is something often underestimated in DIY projects.

Conclusion: PAX can be modified to some extent for DIY purposes, but complete redesigns are very demanding and require expertise and workshop equipment.

AUSTINREN schrieb:
PAX can be modified to a certain extent in DIY settings, but complete redesigns are quite complex and require expertise and workshop equipment.

Thank you for the detailed assessment! The feedback is very helpful.

To be more specific: My goal is to increase the depth of the cabinets to more than 60 cm (24 inches), as I want to store special tools and materials that otherwise don’t fit well. So this goes beyond just cosmetic changes.

Can I still use PAX as a base and extend the carcass at the back, or would it be more effective to consider custom-made furniture or other systems? What advice do you have regarding modifying the back panel and reinforcing stability?

Biisrael schrieb:
My goal is to increase the cabinet depth beyond 60 cm (24 inches) in a project because I want to store special tools and materials that otherwise don’t fit well.

That is a realistic goal, but you will find that the original back panel and side panels don’t simply allow this modification.

My advice is to use the PAX carcasses as the front and basic framework, and attach a sturdy back panel made of plywood or MDF with an appropriate thickness as an extension. This will increase the depth, and you can additionally screw and glue the back panel to ensure enough stability.

I also recommend installing diagonal reinforcing battens to prevent twisting in the now larger frame. This will keep the cabinet stable and load-bearing despite the increased depth.

Depending on the design of the side panels, it might make sense to lengthen the sides along their vertical direction and mount the original fittings at the new positions.

This is certainly not straightforward, but it is definitely achievable with some woodworking experience.

Biisrael schrieb:
Can I still use PAX as a base and extend the cabinet depth at the back, or would it be more effective to go with custom-made furniture or other systems?

From my perspective, you should consider:

- If the original structure is significantly altered, the integration of components and compatibility with the original fittings will inevitably be compromised.
- Extending the depth beyond 60 cm (24 inches) exceeds the typical system specifications, making it difficult to find replacement parts or suitable internal organizers.

In terms of cost-effectiveness, it might be more economical to consider a custom-built piece that meets your exact requirements.

However, of course, you can use PAX as a starting point if you plan to do a lot of the work yourself and don’t mind the additional effort.

In any case, I would recommend creating a sketch or plan and carefully considering how to reinforce the structure.

Good luck!