ᐅ What gap should I leave between the Ikea Pax wardrobe and the wall during installation?

Hello everyone,

I am currently planning to assemble an Ikea Pax wardrobe in my bedroom and want to position it as optimally as possible. I am wondering what the ideal distance would be between the back of the Pax wardrobe and the wall.

I understand that the Pax units can basically be placed directly against the wall, but I have read from some users that a small gap can be beneficial, for example, for ventilation or to compensate for uneven walls.

Is there a recommended minimum distance to maintain in order to ensure both stability and possible air circulation? And does it even make sense to install the wardrobe with some space behind it or is it better to place it as flush against the wall as possible?

Additionally, it would be interesting to know if the type of wall (e.g., concrete, drywall/plasterboard) affects the recommended distance.

Thanks in advance for your tips and experiences!

The Pax should be placed as close to the wall as possible, ideally with a gap of 0 to a maximum of 1 cm (0 to 0.4 inches). This is sufficient to compensate for any unevenness. A larger gap is generally unnecessary, as it could make the cabinet unstable.

Hello Latoreo,

basically, the Pax wardrobe fits best when placed as close to the wall as possible. A small gap of about 1 cm (0.4 inches) can help to compensate for minor unevenness and prevent the wardrobe from standing crooked.

Regarding ventilation: Pax is a closed wardrobe that usually does not require special ventilation as long as the room air can circulate. Especially with drywall (plasterboard) walls, it makes sense to align the wardrobe precisely to minimize stress on the wall.

If the wall is very uneven, I recommend securing the wardrobe to the wall – Ikea provides brackets for this. This keeps the wardrobe stable and helps prevent accidents.

Hello Latoreo,

to address your question in detail: When assembling an Ikea Pax wardrobe, the distance from the wall is indeed a factor that is often underestimated. Technically, the wardrobe should be positioned as close to the wall as possible to ensure stability and to make effective use of the included fixing hardware.

A gap of 0 to max. 1 cm (0 to 0.4 inches) is common to compensate for wall unevenness. It is important that the back panel of the Pax is flush against the wall so that the mounting screws are not under tension. This prevents the wardrobe from tipping or wobbling.

I also recommend:
- Checking the wall for irregularities before installation and, if necessary, using small wedges or spacers
- Considering the wall type: For drywall (plasterboard) walls, use special anchors for lightweight walls and fasten particularly carefully
- In most cases, air circulation between the wardrobe and the wall is not necessary, as furniture typically does not experience moisture problems under normal humidity conditions

Could you specify the type of wall you have? That significantly affects how to proceed.

If you need more detailed assembly advice, feel free to ask.

Filippo schrieb:
Can you specify which type of wall you have? That significantly affects the approach.

I also think this is important, especially when living in a rental apartment and not wanting to drill too much into the walls.

I once had a situation where the wall was very uneven, so I attached the Pax wardrobe using small wooden strips about 0.5 cm (0.2 inches) apart, ensuring everything was stable without damaging the wall.

I was also curious whether the gap could be used for cleaning in case dust accumulates behind the wardrobe. But honestly, I mostly neglect that.

I know this might seem nitpicky, but I believe it’s important to feel comfortable with large furniture like the Pax and avoid problems later because of small, preventable issues.

From a technical standpoint, the general rule is to place the Pax wardrobe as close to the wall as possible without pressing against it. A gap of about 0.5 to 1 cm (0.2 to 0.4 inches) is usually sufficient to accommodate any unevenness.

The most important thing is to securely fasten the wardrobe to the wall. This means that the type of wall and the fastening materials used are crucial. Especially with drywall (plasterboard) walls, it is important to use suitable anchors to ensure load-bearing capacity.

Ventilation is not a major concern for a closed Pax wardrobe. However, if the room is very humid, I would recommend using dehumidifiers or similar measures rather than spacer blocks.

If you place the wardrobe on a carpeted floor, also make sure the feet are level and don’t wobble – sometimes a small gap can help here as well.