ᐅ Which Ikea Pax variants fit well into narrow niches?

[@Danial] Thanks, the note about baseboards is important—I hadn’t considered that they can significantly reduce space. I think I will measure everything carefully again before installation and possibly remove the baseboards at this spot or use a skirting board above them to create a level surface.

Does anyone have experience with interior layouts for 50cm (20 inches) wide Pax units? Which combination offers the best storage for long clothing, shoes, and drawers for accessories?

Regarding interior fittings: Ikea offers a wide range of accessories in the Pax system that can be combined effectively:

- Clothes rails for long and short garments
- Drawers divided into smaller compartments for accessories
- Adjustable shelves for storing shoes or boxes

For 50 cm (20 inches) wide wardrobes, especially with a depth of 35 cm (14 inches), it is advisable to work with multiple levels—that means fewer long clothes rails, but more shelves and drawers. This way, the depth is used efficiently.

Interior lighting can also help maintain visibility when the wardrobe is located in a recess and receives less natural light.

I would like to add some comments on how to install doors in tight recesses, especially when using sliding doors:

- The sliding door systems from Ikea consist of tracks mounted at the top and bottom. In narrow niches, securing the tracks to the ceiling and floor can be more complicated if the space allows very little clearance.

- Sometimes it is advisable to mount the tracks separately on the wall and floor, then slide the cabinet underneath.

- Alternatively, a short gap (a small ventilation space above the cabinet) can make installation easier.

- Solid doors with glass fronts or other materials are often heavier and require precise guidance. For narrow niches, I would always recommend the lightweight and straightforward PAX sliding door system as the primary choice.

What about the flooring? You mentioned tiles: Are they still to be installed or already finished?

The tiles have not been installed yet; the screed is currently unfinished. This means I could still be flexible with assembling the wardrobe and the baseboard.

That probably makes things easier, thanks for the tip. I really like the suggestion about the top ventilation; I haven’t seen anything like that at Ikea so far. Are there any practical experiences on how wide the gap should be to be effective without allowing dust or similar to get in?

Regarding the interior layout: I mainly want to store long clothing (coats, dresses), along with some shoes and jewelry/accessories. Adding more shelves or drawers, as recommended, makes sense—I’ll keep that in mind.

Listeo4 schrieb:
I really like the tip about the top ventilation; I haven’t seen anything like that at Ikea so far.

Small gaps are actually great for allowing air circulation and thus preventing moisture buildup inside the cabinet – a definite advantage. For me, about 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 inches) above the cabinet worked perfectly; it’s not visible and hardly any dust gets in since there are doors in front.

One more thing: if it’s going to be a built-in cabinet with sliding doors, pay attention to the weight of the doors so the tracks are not overloaded – it’s better to choose lighter doors!

Good luck with your project; fitting out such a narrow niche properly is really rewarding!

I can add that when installing Pax wardrobes in niches, assembling them in separate parts is practical. For a width of 60 cm (24 inches), you might also consider whether two 50 cm (20 inches) Pax units placed side by side with a gap in between could work. This increases the complexity but offers more flexibility.

Also, in tight niches, the wardrobe may be somewhat unstable. Therefore, a secure attachment to the back wall is recommended (Ikea provides good systems for this). Mounting it to the wall adds stability and prevents tipping when opening.

And yes, sliding doors are perfect for optimizing space.