ᐅ Which Ikea Pax wardrobes are suitable for small children's bedrooms?

When you ask which PAX units are suitable for small children's rooms, it's also important to consider the appearance – a very large wardrobe can easily overwhelm the room, of course. I chose a 50 cm (20 inch) wide PAX for our place, combined with a small colorful chest of drawers next to it. It looks light and is also very practical.

A small suggestion: Door fronts in light colors or with child-friendly designs don’t look as bulky. And: Put items on castors inside—this is rare with PAX, but it makes it easier for little ones to keep things organized.

Just to provoke a bit: Does it really have to be a PAX wardrobe? In small children’s rooms, modular, minimal furniture is often more practical – while PAX wardrobe models are convenient, they can also be quite bulky.

Especially for young children, it’s worth questioning whether the standard IKEA solutions are really the best choice. Removable shelves, boxes, and lightweight dressers are often more flexible and encourage independence.

But to get back to the question: Among the PAX wardrobes, definitely narrower modules with less depth are better suited. However, they often create a space that looks like a typical ‘IKEA children’s room’ with little individuality. My advice: Use them as a base and customize them with your own fronts or stickers.

In addition to the previous suggestions, I would like to highlight the importance of material properties: For children's rooms, it is advisable to choose doors and surfaces that are durable and easy to clean. I would generally avoid glass or mirrored doors in wardrobes when small children are involved, as they can pose a risk of injury.

Furthermore, if the wardrobe is intended to store not only clothes but also toys, I recommend incorporating drawers and compartments at a manageable height so that children can access their belongings independently. Flexible interior fittings, such as VARIERA boxes from IKEA, which fit well inside the PAX system, work well as shelf edges.

Regarding height: A wardrobe around 201 cm (79 inches) tall can be a good compromise between storage space and room atmosphere. A 236 cm (93 inches) tall wardrobe often feels overwhelming in small rooms.

I chose a 50cm (20 inch) wide PAX wardrobe with sliding doors for my child. It fits perfectly in a small room and takes up little space. The drawers at the bottom make access easier.

Functionality is important, and the sliding system is safer because of little fingers. Doors without handles are ideal.

GALEO4 schrieb:
Just to be a bit provocative: Does it really have to be a PAX?

Thank you all for the knowledgeable and diverse feedback! GALEO4’s provocative question hits the mark for me. I chose PAX for two reasons: first, I like the modular flexibility, and so far, I have been convinced by the quality and variety. Second, I wanted something durable that can grow with my child. However, I’m now wondering if the flexibility might actually be better achieved with separate furniture pieces.

I will keep your tips in mind regarding combining with dressers and shelves as well as choosing the wardrobe height. Are there good experiences with PAX concerning safety when used with, for example, wall anchors? And how about sliding doors with very young children – do they really work smoothly?