If you have visited ThePinkDream before you know that I love a good Ikea Hack, organizing and all things pink. Today I’m sharing how we transformed my daughter’s closet with the Ikea Pax hack that basically encompass all of the above!
This might be my favorite hack so far, it was not super easy, but is definitely worth all the work. I was looking for inspiration and a solution to Sophia’s closet when I saw my favorite DIY girl Frills and Drills transform her son’s closet with the Ikea Pax System. It was the perfect solution for Sophia’s small closet. After all every kid deserves a dream closet 😆, seriously though her closet is my dream closet lol.
Ps: Here are some other Ikea Hacks that you might enjoy:
1- Everyone’s favorite, the Ikea Kallax makeover
2- Another popular one, the super simple Ikea Malm Dresser makeover
3- How to transform the Ikea Vittsjo table and Shelves with gold paint!
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Material and cost:
Ikea Pax wardrobe $60,
Komplement drawers: $25 each,
Komplement shelves: $10 each, used 9: $90
Gold Rods: $29 each, used 2: $58
Closet rod Flange: $4 each, used 4: $12
Table saw and drill
Ikea Pax closet makeover
We started out with your classic builder’s closet: sliding doors (hate them!) and the basic one wire shelf. Obviously I forgot to take a before picture, but the after picture speaks for itself.
I wanted a kid’s closet but at the same time I wanted a closet that could work for her in the future. I made sure to have the rods low enough that she could reach at age 3, but high enough that it would also work later on.
Kids Bedroom Closet
I’m not sure why builders install sliding doors on closets. It’s the worst thing because you can never really open the full closet. The first step on the kids closet makeover was to remove the sliding doors and replace with bifold closet doors.
We bought the bifold closet doors at Home Depot and it was pretty simple to install. However the bifold doors were a little too big for the closet opening. We ended up having to shave the door a little with a table saw.
Adding wallpaper to the closet
I haven’t really shared Sophia’s room yet, but here is a picture of it. I did this beautiful swan wallpaper from Hibbou Home as an accent wall. Since I had some wallpaper leftover I decided to put it to good use and add on the inside of the closet. It’s such a beautiful wallpaper that I didn’t want to waste any of it! I think it looks darling now in her closet and she loves it.
Ikea Pax hack
The next step was to assemble the Ikea Pax wardrobe. I chose the 14’ deep and 29’ wide wardrobe as this was the best fit for our closet. My plan was to have the Ikea closet in the middle an add shelves and rods to each side to create a custom closet. After we secured the Ikea Pax to the center of the closet we started adding the shelves and rods.
The shelves on the sides and rods are the tricky part. I bought the 39’ Komplement shelves ($10 each) and had to cut them to fit the closet. I attached the shelves to the Ikea Pax closet by drilling a hole on the outside of the closet in the same spot where the inside hole is and I use the little brackets that comes with the shelves to secure it to the Pax. On the wall side I used shelves brackets from Home depot.
Gold closet rods: Why not?
I have seen these gold closet rods before and though they were amazing!!! This was the perfect opportunity to use some of them. I got two rods and cut them to fit Sophia’s closet. They are worth every penny my friends!
So what do you guys think? Sophia loves her new closet. She is able to hang and get her own dresses, and loves playing with her stuff. We still have plenty of room left for storage on top and we could add a couple more shelves if needed.
For around $250 we were able to completely transform her closet with the help of the Ikea Pax hack. Now I only have two more closets to go!!
Update!!! Measurements for the closet and pictures of how to attache the shelves.
Ok, I got so many questions on dimensions and how to attach the shelves. So here it go:
The closet is 8ft by 2ft wide. I used the shallow Ikea pax tower (29in by 14in) in the middle. The 39in long ikea shelves were trimmed to around 35in for each side using the brackets that comes with the shelves on the tower side and these brackets on the wall side and on the top shelf. See pictures below:
Shop the post:
And here is a look at Olivia’s new closet that we started working on! It’s turning out so cute!
Thank you so much for stopping by! For more decor ideas & the latest from ThePinkDream.com add your email below, or let’s connect on Pinterest and Instagram!
With Love, Ceres
*Affiliated links are added to this post*
This means that if you buy something from a link you have clicked, I may receive a small commission, sometimes pennies, but you don’t spend a penny more! This helps this website to keep running, thank you!
All images are property of ThePinkDream.com unless otherwise noted.
Gorgeous. Where are the baskets and canisters from (with the sunglasses)?
Author
Hi April, sorry I forgot to link it! Here are the baskets https://rstyle.me/cz-n/dq7t8hb48gx
Hi! Where did you get the heart 2 container’s next to the mirror!
Author
Hi! Heresia the link https://rstyle.me/cz-n/drc2h8b48gx
Thanks so much!
Author
And the https://rstyle.me/cz-n/drc2h8b48gx
This is such a remarkable website! I have been looking for some closet ideas and couldn’t find any good ones until I saw this outstanding website. You have so many great tips for any room in the house!!!! We love your ideas and hope to see more. GREAT WORK!
Author
Awee thank u so much Kayla! You are the sweetest 😘💕
What a great Idea and I love the swan wallpaper!
Author
Thank you so much!!
How did you cut the closet rod?
Author
yes we did. The rod was cute in 4 parts. I believe my father in law used a saw machine?
Love this. You did everything in her closet I have been swirling around in my head for my daughter’s! Right down to the swan paper! Now I have a visual that is more concrete! Thank you! Gorgeous!
Author
Aweee thank you so much!!
Ceres, your daughter’s closet turned out brilliantly!!! So happy to feature it in last week’s Share Your Style #225, thank you!
Happy fall to you,
Barb 🙂
Author
Barb!! thank you so much! how lovely of you!
Hi Ceres, I wanted to let you know that your lovely post was selected as Vintage Charm’s September Feature of the Month–you’ll be featured at tomorrow’s party! Congrats! Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Author
Omg!! thank you so much!!
Hi!
Can you link the brackets that you used from Home Depot? Also, did you remove a portion of your baseboard so the Pax would be flush against the wall?
Author
Hi! For some reason I cant find the brackets on line. But I will check next time I go in store. It was from their closet collection. We did remove a little of the toe kick? not the baseboard itself!
Love this! How wide is the dresser on the inside? My daughter’s closet is 6 feet wide.
Author
39in wife, it’s from IKEA 😘
Hi!! Love this!! Ordering materials to do this project this weekend, quick question… do you know how deep your closet is? My closet is 25 inches deep so I’m not sure if I should go with the 14 in deep pax shelves or 23! Help!
Author
I would do the 14, for a kid is more than enough! 😘
ps sorry just realized I commented twice 🤦🏽♀️
Author
😘😘
Hi. Any luck finding brackets from Home Depot? How did you attach the shelves to the wall side? Beautiful closet btw.
Author
Sorry for the delay. This is what I used
https://www.homedepot.com/p/ClosetMaid-Style-13-78-in-D-Satin-Nickel-Shelf-Brackets-and-Hard-ware-Support-Kit-2188/301571370
I used the same on the wall side! 😘
Hi! How many of these did you need? Thanks so much 🙂
Author
the brackets? You will need at least 6 of them. 2 to attach the top shelf, and for each wall side of the middle shelves.
Hi! Love this closet! I am planning on doing something very similar and came across your beautiful design. Do you know the width of the entire closet? It’ll help me decide on a pax unit. Thank you!
Author
I’m going to measure it out and update the post with some more details since I’m getting so many questions!
Hi there how wide are the shelves on either side?
Author
They are the 29in!
Hi! Beautiful closet makeover. How did you add the shelf across the very top?
Thanks!
Author
I used brackets from Home Depot. I gave the link in some comments above 😘
BEAUTIFUL! this is such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your designs.
Author
Thank you so much!
Beautiful! How did you attach the closet rods to the outside of the PAX wardrobe? I want to do the same but I’m worried it will break the wardrobe. Also how much weight has your rod been able go hold?
Author
we attached using the curtain rod attachment linked on the post. We have had no issues so far.
wow! you did an amazing job with your little girl’s bedroom. I was looking around for inspiration and i definitely found it. Our closet is 8H x 2D as well so your list is very helpful. Is it 6ft wide? Looks like you have very healthy hanging space side on either even with the 29″ unit in the middle. Our is only 4ft so I’m thinking I may have to downsize the center unit. what do you think?
Author
Hi Nalina, yes with 4ft I would do the smaller shelf. You do want to have some space for hanging clothes 😘😘
The baskets are darling! Where did you get them?!
Author
Thank you so much! They are linked in the post, but here is the link https://rstyle.me/cz-n/dq7t8hb48gx. 😘😘
I love the closet! We are in the process of redoing our kids closets as well. Their closets are 5feet wide and 2 feet deep. You mentioned that your closet is also 2 feet deep, but you opted for PAX system 14inch depth. Why didn’t you opt for the deeper one? I am thinking to go with the 22inch depth to utilize the space. Thank you!
Author
Hi Monika!! I wanted more space to maneuver to hang clothes and I didn’t want the door to close on top of the cabinets! 😘
Did you attach the backing to the wardrobe or simply use the frame against the wall?
Author
We did, the tower was secure led to the wall with the attachments that comes with the pax system 😘
Ok so just to clarify, the wallpaper shown in the picture is only on the closet wall (not on the back of the tower)? Just wondering whether you actually attached the Pax tower backing (its like a cardboard piece that you nail into the tower).
Author
Hi Katie, the wallpaper was done before the closet. The IKEA tower was attached on top of the paper with the proper IKEA attachments. We had to secure the tower to make sure it wouldn’t move once we attached the shelves. 😘
Thank you! 🙂
Hi! I’m curious why did you buy the 39 inch shelves vs the 29 inch shelves that fit directly with the system?! Thanks in advance!
Author
Hi Jess!! I cut the 29in to fit the rest of the space between the ikea tower and the wall. I did use the 29s in the tower.
Where did you get the mirror?
nvm! my computer is 100 years old… it finally loaded all the links to everything
Author
Aweee ok lol 😘😘
Author
It’s from pottery barn kids. I think is sold out tho 😫
Hi there, looking to replicate this for my daughters nursery. At what height did you place the two rods? I could take a guess but your set up looks perfect.
Author
Let me measure this for you!
Hello beautiful work <3 I am curious about the shelf’s in the middle did u use 4 or 3.. and what size are they?? Are they 29in ?? For the top of the draws did u just use a regular shelf? Also how long are each rod? Thank you xox
Author
Hi Laura, the shelves are from IKEA too. Just use the shelf that fits your middle tower. The rods were cut to size for each side.
OMG, I love this. I will definitely try it! I am wondering where did you get the green, blush leave wallpaper shown on the right side of the closet- I am obsessed!
Author
Hi!! Thank you!! Here is the link for the wallpaper https://rstyle.me/cz-n/c5wen7b48gx
What color are the other 3 walls? It goes beautifully with the wallpaper.
Author
Simply gray by BM 😘
Hello! Have you had any issues with the shelves warping in the middle? A bunch of the reviews state that they are warping with very little weight. Thanks!
Author
Wow, not really… mine are still in perfect conditions!
Hi! Love the closet! On the side of the shelf that was not attached to the wall, did you pre drill holes and the use the provided white clip things to attach the shelf to the frame of the Ike pax? We have bought the unit but realized there are no holes on the outer side, so I want to make sure before proceeding in putting holes in. Also did you use wood screws to attach it to the frames?
Author
Yes, we used the holes on the side to make holes through and use the attachments that came with it
So cute where u find the pretty mirror
Author
Is from POttery barn kids 😘
Hi Ceres,
Beautiful room! I’m wondering where you purchased this rug. It’s so pretty x
Author
Here is the link https://rstyle.me/cz-n/dn7isrb48gx
Hi Ceres! We’re doing this closet in a couple weeks for my daughter’s birthday room makeover. Where do you put her shoes? Shoes seem to be our #1 issue!
Author
Hi!!! All the shoes are in the mud room downstairs. I do have some shoes under the dresses. But very little. We don’t bring shoes upstairs as they have to take shoes off upon entering the house 😘😘
This is so beautiful! I am going to IKEA tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration! Our closet is 100 in (8’4”) tall in the inside. I am debating whether to put the 79” tall or 96” tall PAX in. Any thoughts, after doing it? Do you utilize the top shelf well or wish you had another shelf on top of it?
Thanks in advance!
Author
I do use the last shelf! I have baskets on top for out of season stuff! 😘
What a great idea to put the pax system in the middle instead of buying a whole set – I think you just saved me hundreds of dollars. Any regrets or things you’d do differently next time?
Author
Not at all!! We did a second one just like that!! Love it so much!
Did you not put the backing on the pax shelf that comes with it? Looks like you left it off and just secured it with the brackets to the wall? I’m just wondering if it held up structurally without the back.
Thank you for the inspiration🥰! We are doing this for my 6y/o. But instead of gold we are using silver since it matches her chandelier. Also, instead of the dresser inside we are using a vanity table, so she can brush her hair/do her make up as she gets older. We are not adding closet doors but instead hanging curtains and using a matching curtain rod that we used for her window. But the thing that I’m curious is what is the height of her closet? Seems like ours won’t be able to add the additional top self.
Author
You are so welcome! It will look beautiful! The height is 8ft 😘
Hi there! I get how you attached the shelves on the outside but how did did you manage to do the very top piece to make it even with the top of the wardrobe? Thanks in advance!
Author
I used the same bracket that I used on the walls! Let me know if that answers it
I don’t think I saw how you attached the rods to the unit, could you share that?
Author
I used the gold rod hardware also from Home Depot 😘 I believe is linked in the post 😘
For the closet rods, did you use the provided screws to mount into the PAX tower? Currently working on a nursery closet & the PAX quality has really diminished compared to our wardrobe purchased 7 years ago. I’m worried the tower will crack. I’m considering using a wall bracket instead nearest the tower instead of screwing into the side. I know you lose some storage that way & it isn’t as pretty, but a cracked tower isn’t pretty either.
Author
No, they are linked in the post too. I used gold hardware for the rod I got from homedepot
So gorgeous!! I can only dream of making as lovely a closet for myself!
Although it’s not exactly related, may I ask what type of flooring you have? (type/colour?) I want to redo my floors and then make the perfect bright closet just like yours but I’m really overwhelmed by all the shades and wish I could just find some in photos I love! Any info would be much appreciated 🙂 Sorry if it’s noted elsewhere on your site, I’ve just started to explore it!
Author
I have pravada floors! I have written a blog post in it! It’s lovely 😘😘
So cute!!! How did y’all attach the rods to the pax wardrobe?
Author
I used the rod hanger that comes w the rods. Also from homedepot
What a beautiful room! I love the crown canopy… I’m looking for one for my daughters room. Where is it from??
Author
Hi, is from Spienkie baby!
Hi! I love this. Before I go and completely mess up my own pax shelf, I just wanted to make sure that in order to get the holes on the outside of the pax unit you drilled through the existing holes to the other side? Did you find any of the veneer chipped? Thanks!
Author
Yes we drilled, no nothing chipped. But also you will use the attachment to hang the rod on the other side. Just make sure to use small screws so they don’t show up on the interior
Hi,
Where did you get the rods? thanks
Author
They are from home depot, linked in the post
I am replicating this beautiful closet! Its perfection for a
little girl 🙂 I am placing my Ikea order but I see there are many options for the Komplement drawers. They all seem to be so similar in size. My closet measures exactly the same as yours. Any idea which size you used? I only see in your post you used the drawers, but no size listed. Unless this tired mama missed it! Thank you!! <3
Author
Hi!! The same depth as the tower. So if yours is the 12, get the 12 depth drawer. It should give your option when ordering for drawers that will fit into the tower!