ᐅ Which Ikea PAX variants are especially suitable for shared student apartments?

Hello everyone, I am moving into a shared apartment soon and am considering buying an Ikea PAX wardrobe. Since rooms in shared apartments are typically quite small and have various layouts, I’m especially interested in which PAX options you think work best for such spaces. Compact dimensions, user-friendly interior fittings for flexibility between occupants, and as much storage as possible in a limited space are important to me. Which frames, doors, and interior modules do you use in shared rooms to stay flexible and practical? I look forward to your experiences and recommendations, including any advice on the pros and cons of the different options.

A very interesting topic, especially considering the constraints of small shared apartment rooms. Generally, I recommend a depth of 50 cm (20 inches) instead of 60 cm (24 inches), as it takes up less space and is fully sufficient for clothing. Combined with a width of 75 or 100 cm (30 or 40 inches), these models often fit better into narrower niches or rooms with limited wall space.

An important factor is the choice of doors: sliding doors are often ideal for saving space since they don’t require extra clearance, but they are more expensive and more complicated to install. Hinged doors with space-saving hinges can be a cost-effective alternative.

Inside, I especially recommend flexible shelves and drawers for shared apartment rooms, as they allow individual adjustment to changing user needs. Pull-out clothes rails are also a plus.

A downside of PAX systems is that installation can be quite involved, and the back panel can collect dust.

What does your room look like exactly? Wall dimensions, possible placement?

Domau0 schrieb:
What exactly does your room look like? Wall dimensions, possible placement?

Good question! My shared apartment room is about 3.2 x 2.8 m (10.5 x 9.2 ft), with a niche approximately 1.2 m (4 ft) wide next to the door. Unfortunately, the ceiling height is exactly 2.20 m (7.2 ft), so the wardrobe shouldn’t be taller than 2.15 m (7 ft), if possible. Right next to the niche, there is also a radiator about 0.6 m (2 ft) wide, so the niche would be ideal if it offers a lot of storage space. I find sliding doors interesting, but I wonder if the extra cost is really worth it in such a small room.

Regarding the dimensions you described, there are some important points to consider for choosing the PAX system.

- The height of 201 cm (standard PAX height) is more suitable than 236 cm, as 2.15 m (7 ft) cannot be fully utilized in the niche.
- A depth of 50 cm (20 inches) is practical due to space constraints.
- For the 1.2 m (4 ft) niche, a 100 cm (39 inches) wide frame with sliding doors is recommended to make the best use of the space.
- Doors with mirrored panels can enhance the room’s appearance and are practical.

Although sliding doors are more expensive, they save floor space, which is often more important than the additional cost in small shared apartments. Inside, I recommend combinations of clothes rails with pull-out trouser racks and adjustable shelves for different types of clothing.

Using shelves with integrated boxes also increases flexibility and organization.

RENMA schrieb:
Sliding doors are more expensive but save floor space, which is often more important in small shared apartments than the extra cost.

Who says sliding doors are absolutely necessary? In a shared apartment, you should expect the wardrobe to be rearranged or restocked quite often anyway. Sliding doors can be cumbersome in practice—especially when the tracks quickly get dirty or jam. Hinged doors work better, cost less, and are easy to repair. Sure, sometimes you might get in the way in a small room, but you gain more flexibility, especially if the door gets damaged or someone moves out.

GALEO4 schrieb:
Sliding doors can often be inconvenient in practice – especially when the tracks quickly get dirty or jam.

That’s not wrong, but it really depends on the product and maintenance. Ikea tracks are quite sturdy compared to purely cheap solutions. Still, it is recommended—especially in shared apartments—to regularly check the sliding door mechanism.

GALEO4 schrieb:
Hinged doors work better, cost less, and are easy to repair.

That’s true, but hinged doors swing open, which can reduce usable space in small rooms. For shared rooms with limited space, this is often a significant drawback, as you can easily bump into something or the door arc blocks other furniture.

Maybe a combination of options could be interesting: for example, a 50 cm (20 inch) wide wardrobe with hinged doors placed in a corner, and next to it an open shelving system for flexibility. How much storage do you need for clothes and other items, antau56?