IKEA closet hacks make it surprisingly easy to create storage that feels tailored to your room without the cost of fully bespoke joinery. Whether you’re working with a tiny bedroom, a sloping ceiling, an empty closet or a full walk-in wardrobe, the right IKEA system can help you use the space far more effectively.
These 34 ideas include clever PAX built-ins, open ELVARLI and BOAXEL layouts, KALLAX storage beds and simple finishing touches that make flat-pack furniture look beautifully custom.
Before You Start an IKEA Closet Hack
IKEA closet hacks are one of the easiest ways to create storage that looks made for your room without paying for fully bespoke joinery. The trick is choosing the right system before getting distracted by paint colours and pretty handles. PAX works beautifully for substantial wardrobe walls, BOAXEL is a flexible wall-mounted option for smaller existing closets, and ELVARLI creates a lighter, open dressing-room look.
A little planning at this stage can save you from discovering that a wardrobe is too tall to assemble, a drawer catches on the door frame or your lovely new handles collide in the corner.
Measure the Ceiling as Well as the Wall
Measure the width, height and depth of the space in several places, particularly in older rooms where floors and ceilings may not be perfectly level. The current UK PAX range includes frames measuring 201 cm and 236 cm high, so even a seemingly generous ceiling can leave very little working room above the taller option.
Check the assembly instructions for the exact frame before ordering. You need to know whether it can be assembled horizontally and lifted into position or must be constructed upright inside the room. Newer PAX frames listed by IKEA UK use a foldable construction that opens in its intended position, but you should still allow room to work and to fit any planned timber base or top trim.
Check That Doors and Drawers Can Open
Mark the proposed wardrobe footprint on the floor with masking tape, then test the space in front of it. Remember to account for:
- Skirting boards
- Radiators
- Plug sockets
- Sloping ceilings
- Door architraves
- Bedside furniture
- Clearance for hinged doors
- Drawers or pull-out rails near adjoining walls
A wardrobe may fit neatly along the wall while still leaving too little room to open the doors properly. Corners need particular care because handles, drawers and neighbouring doors can easily meet in the middle.
Anchor the Furniture Securely
This is an essential part of the installation, not an optional finishing step. IKEA advises securing furniture to the wall with appropriate restraints and fixings for the wall type. PAX frames include fittings for wall attachment, while wall-mounted ELVARLI combinations must also be installed using suitable fixings.
Plasterboard, masonry and timber-framed walls may require different hardware. Follow the instructions supplied with your chosen system and get professional advice when you’re unsure what is behind the wall.
Plan Storage Around What You Actually Own
Before choosing shelves and drawers, take a quick inventory of your wardrobe. Count or estimate how much space you need for:
- Long-hanging clothes
- Short-hanging clothes
- Shoes
- Folded items
- Bags
- Jewellery and smaller accessories
- Seasonal clothes
This will tell you far more than copying a beautiful closet from a photograph. Someone with twenty dresses needs a very different internal layout from someone who mostly owns folded knitwear and trainers.
Place frequently worn pieces between waist and eye height, keep shoes and heavier baskets lower down, and reserve the highest shelves for seasonal clothes or occasional-use items. Your dream closet should make getting dressed easier, not simply look lovely with the doors open.
Know What Creates the Built-In Look
The PAX frames provide the structure, but the finishing work is what makes them feel like part of the room. Depending on your design, that may include:
- A level timber base
- Side filler panels
- Crown moulding or top trim
- Skirting across the bottom
- Covered joins between frames
- Neatly caulked gaps
- Matching paint across the wardrobe and trim
- Upgraded handles
- Concealed wardrobe lighting
You don’t necessarily need every item on the list. The most convincing built-in closets usually repeat details already found in the room, such as the same skirting profile, paint colour or style of moulding.
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IKEA PAX Built-In Closet Hacks
1. Cover PAX Doors with Geometric Wallpaper
Best for: Wanting to add personality to boring wardrobe doors
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Wallpaper elevates basic PAX wardrobes into a statement feature without needing to replace the doors. Pick a small geometric print that can be repeated across several doors so that the entire wardrobe wall looks intentional.
2. Add Wallpaper to the Back of a PAX Wardrobe
Best for: Open wardrobes, dressing areas and jewellery storage
Difficulty: Easy
Line the inside of your closet with wallpaper to give open shelving a much more finished and decorative look. Pick a pattern that coordinates with your baskets, mirror and organisers, then only use it behind one central section so it looks styled rather than applied to every surface.
3. Create Floor-to-Ceiling PAX Built-Ins
Best for: Bedrooms with an entire empty wall you can furnish
Difficulty: Moderate
Cut trim pieces to go around the sides and top to hide the edges of your PAX frames and create a convincing built-in look. Add moulding to the doors, some matching skirting along the bottom and upgraded handles to help multiple IKEA PAX units appear as one custom closet.
4. Mount Painted PAX Wardrobes for a Floating Look
Best for: Contemporary bedrooms and stylish basket storage
Difficulty: Advanced
Elevating your PAX closet units above the floor gives this closet makeover a much lighter and more architectural look. It also leaves helpful storage space underneath for baskets. The muted paint colour and simple handles keep the entire thing looking clean and modern but the exposed timber adds warmth.
5. Add Custom Wooden Legs to a PAX Wardrobe
Best for: Small bedrooms and freestanding wardrobes
Difficulty: Moderate
Adding a sturdy wooden base with tall wooden legs completely changes the proportions of a basic PAX frame to make it look more like real handcrafted furniture. It’s also a smart way to keep your wardrobe feeling lighter in a small space. Note: The frame will still need to be secured to the wall.
6. Finish a PAX Closet with Crown Moulding
Best for: Walk-in closets and traditional bedrooms trimmed with crown moulding
Difficulty: Moderate
Crown moulding bridges the gap between your IKEA closet system and the ceiling instantly making it look more built in and permanent. Run the same trim across open shelving and closed storage cabinets too to make different wardrobe units and internal layouts look custom built.
7. Upgrade PAX With Woven Custom Doors
Best for: Warm bedrooms that embrace natural and relaxed decor
Difficulty: Advanced
Swap the doors out on your PAX wardrobes for framed custom doors that soften those straight lines with woven panels. They add tons of texture without making your room look chaotic. Keep frames, skirting and handles minimal to let that natural material be the focus while still maintaining a built-in look.
8. Turn an Open PAX Closet Into a Display Closet
Best for: Handbags, shoes, jewellery and organised accessories
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Remove your closet doors to make bags and shoes easier to grab. Use glass-front drawers to corral smaller accessories without hiding them away. Recreate the boutique-style effect by organising everything by colour. Resist the urge to fill every inch of your storage space and leave some breathing room on each shelf.
9. Add Custom Drawer Fronts to a PAX Closet
Best for: Bedrooms that need hanging and folded clothes storage
Difficulty: Moderate
Match the drawer fronts to your custom doors to give that central section cabinet area a beautiful furniture-like finish. Paint the doors, drawers and trim all one colour to disguise those separate IKEA PAX units and add cup handles for just enough contrast that your storage looks intentional.
10. Build a Vanity Between PAX Wardrobes
Best for: Closets in small bedrooms without space for a separate dressing table
Difficulty: Moderate
Leave an opening in the centre between two PAX wardrobe units to make use of your entire wall while building in a handy vanity. You get a shallow drawer, mirror and shelves above for everyday makeup storage without sacrificing closed storage on either side.
11. Give PAX Wardrobes a Boho Vibe With Mixed Custom Doors
Best for: Warm, bohemian bedrooms and bedroom walls that won’t be hidden behind clothing
Difficulty: Advanced
Mix and match solid timber-style doors with woven baskets doors to give your PAX closet plenty of personality without weighing your wall down. Leave one slim section open to break up all that closed storage and create a spot for baskets, folded clothes and decor.
12. Create a Full Wardrobe Wall With Open Display Shelves
Best for: Bedrooms that still need loads of hidden storage
Difficulty: Advanced
A full wall of matching PAX wardrobes takes advantage of tall ceilings. The open shelves lined with timber and a central back panel breaks up all of those cabinet doors so it doesn’t look like one daunting block of storage. Continue trim across the top and use the same simple hardware throughout to give the entire space a built with joinery vibe.
13. Add Seamless Wooden Doors to PAX Frames
Best for: Calm, minimalist and contemporary bedrooms
Difficulty: Advanced
Custom wooden cabinet doors completely disguise your IKEA PAX units hiding them behind a seamless run of wood grain. Leave the doors handle free to keep your wardrobe wall looking quiet and streamlined, making it ideal for bedrooms where you want plenty of storage but don’t want the closet to be the focus of the room.
IKEA Closet Organization Hacks for Small Spaces or Odd Layouts
14. Use PAX To Build the Perfect Corner Wardrobe
Best for: Bedroom corners and rooms with very little wall space
Difficulty: Advanced
Fitting your wardrobes into a corner not only helps you take advantage of wasted space but can really open up a small bedroom where every inch counts. Keep your doors, trim detail and hardware the same colour to keep the run looking seamless. The upper cubbies are also genius for storing out-of-season clothes or anything else you don’t need to grab every day.
15. Fit a Wardrobe Under a Sloping Bedroom Ceiling
Best for: Rooms with sloping ceilings like lofts, attics and anywhere you have eaves in your closet
Difficulty: Advanced
This is such an excellent IKEA closet hack that turns your awkward roofline into actually useful closet space. Have your cupboard doors custom cut to follow the angle of the slope to give your wardrobe that built-in look. Keep things handle free for an even cleaner line that keeps your wall looking calm and not busy.
16. Build a KALLAX Storage Bed For Extra Space in a Small Bedroom
Best for: Maximising space in small bedrooms that need hidden storage without adding more furniture
Difficulty: Moderate
A raised bed frame built using KALLAX-style storage cubes is a great way to get extra storage while keeping your room looking tidy. Baskets, folded blankets, books and even shoes can all be stored underneath freeing up valuable closet real estate elsewhere in your room.
17. Fill Surfaces Around Your Bed with PAX Storage
Best for: Bedrooms that lack a closet or have very limited floor space
Difficulty: Advanced
Surround your bed with PAX units and filler pieces to build your own custom closet wall while making use of every inch. This works especially well at keeping dresser storage close to your bed if you mix closed cabinets with a few open shelves. It also looks softer and more intentional than an enormous block of built-in cabinets.
18. Build a Cozy KALLAX Bed With Storage All Around
Best for: Loft bedrooms, studio style rooms and anyone who always feels like they have too much clutter
Difficulty: Moderate
These kinds of beds are essentially a KALLAX frame built as a bed frame and works as both furniture and storage solution in one. It’s great if your bedroom doesn’t have space for an extra dresser. Open cubes are ideal for items you need to grab every day, while woven baskets soften the look and make it look more styled.
19. Add a Tiny Open Closet With ELVARLI
Best for: Tiny bedrooms, anyone that rents and people who prefer an airy vibe over closed cabinetry
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
An open closet system such as ELVARLI can be the perfect solution if a full wardrobe would overwhelm the room. Install a simple clothes rod, a couple of shelves and add a few baskets to keep you organised without weighing the room down. It’s also perfect when you want a super-light and flexible layout.
20. Hack Your Kallax Cubes Into Shoe and Accessories Storage Doubling as a Stylish Bed Frame
Best for: Shoes, handbags, jewellery and everyday accessories
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Kallax are one of the first IKEA products you think of for storage but they make super handy open closets for storing accessories, shoes and bags under your bed. Adding storage bins or boxes turns the Kallax into a practical little storage station that doubles as a stylish and unique bed frame.
21. Adapt Your PAX Closet for a Sloping Bedroom Ceiling
Best for: Loft conversions and any other bedroom with slanted walls or an angled ceiling
Difficulty: Advanced
PAX wardrobes can easily be utilised beneath a sloping ceiling to turn an awkward space into proper built-in closets. The black colour scheme and central mirrored panel instantly make this look high-end too. It’s a great showcase of how you can use custom doors to make basic IKEA frames work in spaces that normally stump you.
Love Open Closets? Try One of These IKEA Options
22. Create a Colourful ELVARLI Closet
Best for: Bonus rooms, big bedrooms and anyone who loves open storage
Difficulty: Moderate
ELVARLI closet systems are amazing for those who dream of a big closet that feels more like a styled room. Use a mix of clothes rails, drawers and open shelving to give everything you own its very own home. Colourful baskets and a bold wall colour transform your storage into part of the decorating scheme.
23. Use ELVARLI Storage Inside Your Existing Closet
Best for: Kids’ bedrooms and small closets
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Try fitting an ELVARLI storage system to really maximise empty closets without cramming them full of bulky storage units. Use shorter closet rods over low shelves to make the most of your kiddo’s tiny clothing. Mix-and-match drawers, hanging organisers and baskets to give you versatile storage that grows with them.
24. Turn a Skinny Room Into the Perfect BOAXEL Closet
Best for: Narrow closets and petite dressing rooms
Difficulty: Moderate
BOAXEL keeps your floorplan more open than traditional hanging closets, making it ideal for tiny closets with a long wall. The adjustable closet rods, wire shelves and built-in shoe storage can all be spaced out at different heights to help you make the most of every inch without crowding your room.
25. Transform Your Closet Using Open PAX Storage Plus KOMPLEMENT
Best for: Walk-in closets that could really benefit from super-organised storage
Difficulty: Moderate
Leave your PAX storage units open to display clothes, baskets and shoes. KOMPLEMENT wire shelving and over-the-door pull-out clothes racks helps you get serious about maximising every inch of storage. Designate zones for hanging clothes, folded items and shoes to give your closet some structure even without doors.
26. Build the Ultimate Walk-Through Closet With Painted PAX Units
Best for: Connecting your bedroom to your bathroom or creating a truly luxurious dressing room like you see in magazines
Difficulty: Advanced
Painting those PAX units, adding trim boards and uniform drawer fronts can make your IKEA closet custom built by a professional. Paint your walls, trim and skirting the same colour to hide where each PAX frame ends. Brass hardware and lights ups the darker finish but still looks totally intentional.
27. Combine ELVARLI Storage With A Shoe Display Shelf
Best for: Shoe lovers that have lots of accessories too
Difficulty: Moderate
An open ELVARLI closet is balanced masterfully here with a mix of hanging storage, open shelves for displaying favourite shoes and closed IKEA drawer storage. Keeping shoes all together on the bottom shelf and handbags at eye level makes getting ready in the morning so much easier. The timber shelves really warm up all of that white storage too.
Closet Hacks With IKEA BILLY Bookcases, KALLAX Cubes and Dressers
28. Turn Your RAST Dressers Into a DIY Wardrobe
Best for: Bedroom without the space for a built-in closet
Difficulty: Advanced
Combine several RAST dressers with floating shelves and closet rods to create an entire freestanding wardrobe for way less than custom cabinets would cost. Paint the entire thing one colour to help your various IKEA purchases look like they belong together. Top it all off with a set of central drawers to hide away folded clothes and miscellaneous accessories.
29. Build The Easiest Custom Closet With BILLY Bookcases
Best for: Walk-in closets that could use open shelves for shoes and folded clothes
Difficulty: Advanced
BILLY bookcases are another genius way to add tall, skinny shelving to a wall without sacrificing too much space. Here, three floating shelves are repurposed into open shoe storage, glass-front cabinets and hanging rods to create a beautiful custom closet with a little bit of everything.
30. DIY An Open Closet Using KALLAX Storage Cubes
Best for: Renters that want to organise a tiny closet or minimalists who love simple capsule wardrobes
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Set KALLAX cube shelves on either side of an IKEA hanging closet rod to create an open closet without permanent installations. Use fabric drawers and baskets to stash away items that belong in drawers and let the open cubes house folded clothing, books and home decor.
31. Place IKEA RAST Dressers Beneath Closet Hanging Rods
Best for: Any closet that could benefit from extra folded clothes storage
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Sliding a pair of inexpensive IKEA dressers beneath your closet hanging rod is a great way to use that lower half of your closet. Fresh paint ties the whole look together to help your dressers blend into your original storage setup and open bins above is a great spot for storing everyday necessities.
32. Add Wooden Dowels To Your BILLY Closet Doors
Best for: Kids’ bedrooms and any cabinets that could use a fun textured finish
Difficulty: Moderate
Thin wooden dowels adhere to empty cabinet doors to add ripples and texture that looks like it costs way more than an IKEA hack. Paint the frame and door edges one soft colour then leave the wood natural for a warm textured finish that’s also fun to touch.
33. Build An Open Closet Island Using KALLAX Cubes
Best for: Large walk-in closets and oversized accessory storage
Difficulty: Easy
Load a KALLAX closet cube unit with baskets on all sides to make a DIY closet island. Everything from luggage, boxes and folded accessories can be stored on every surface. Add a pretty tray or countertop organizer to make the surface really come in handy for jewellery, perfume and getting ready in the morning.
34. Line Plain RAST Drawers with Wallpaper
Best for: Giving any plain wooden drawer interior a pretty finishing touch
Difficulty: Easy
From here on out, never look at plain IKEA drawers the same. Add wallpaper or drawer liner to the inside of a simple RAST dresser to make opening and closing it feel extra special. Pick one pattern you love and use it on the base, sides and carefully smooth it into each corner for a clean finish that also protects your wood.
Easy Finishing Touches That Make IKEA Closets Look Custom
It’s not always necessary to completely rebuild IKEA wardrobes if you’re after something that looks built-in or custom-made. Closing cracks and covering holes with these clever finishing tricks can make cheap bedroom closets look expensive.
Cover Unused Shelf Holes
Install small colour matched shelf hole covers to close gaps in empty shelving. It looks tidier against clothing, but is especially helpful around open storage shelves, shoes and handbags.
Trim Around Each Section
Close gaps between IKEA closet frames using thin filler strips or decorative trim. Caulk the nail holes, paint the trim to match the walls and colour coordinate the brackets and shelves.
Add Skirting Board and Cornice
Skirting and cornice are finishing essentials that visually connect IKEA closets to the room. These 2 changes alone can trick the eye into thinking your wardrobe was professionally built-in.
Swap Out the Handles
Changing closet pulls is an easy way to transition IKEA wardrobes from basic to luxurious. Brushed nickel pulls feel more modern, but wooden knobs or long handles lean traditional.
Line the Drawers with Wallpaper
Drawer liners and wallpaper add sweet detail on the inside of open shelving or hanging closets. Start with small repeat prints that are easy to match, or use leftover wallpaper from the room.
Install LED Lights Inside
LED lighting inside closets doesn’t need to be permanent. Clip-on or battery operated lights are best because you won’t have to drill into your IKEA wardrobes.
Decorative Side Panels
You can often see exactly where one closet frame ends and another begins. Add slim wood filler panels, wallpaper or decorative moulding to the exposed side of each unit.
IKEA Wardrobe Built-In Essentials
Give your wardrobe extra style with the following optional extras.
Closet Handles:
Choose hardware that complements your existing fittings and confirms with the drill holes in your IKEA doors.
Primers:
For easy coverage and longevity, use a primer designed for furniture. It helps paint adhere to smooth surfaces and prevents chipping.
Adhesive Caulk:
Paintable caulk allows you to fill small cracks or seams for a smooth finish.
Trim:
Invest in moulding or trim to add detail to an IKEA cabinet. Attach it to the fronts, sides or inside of your wardrobe.
Drawer liner:
No-one will see it but a customised drawer liner adds a nice finishing touch. Select washable liners or peel-and-stick paper to fit your drawers.
Closet Lights:
Buy LED lights or clip-ons that attach to the wardrobe rails. Add motion sensors or chargeable batteries for dark corners.
Slim Hangers:
Slimline plastic or wooden hangers co-ordinate beautifully and save space.
Storage Baskets:
Stock up on baskets in the same colour/material. Group the same sized baskets together on open shelves.
Drawer Organizers:
From small boxes to full shelving inserts, organizers help you make the most of your available storage.
Shelf Hole Covers:
Match your cabinet colour and snap these small plastic plugs into place.
Wallpaper:
Don’t limit wallpaper to walls. Line drawers, shelves or cabinet doors.
Cordless Drill:
Look for a lightweight power drill to attach your moulding and trim. Use it to hang or update hardware too.
Spirit Level:
Keep shelves and drawers aligned using this handy tool.
IKEA Closet Hack FAQs
Can IKEA PAX wardrobes be made to look built-in?
Yes. Mount the PAX frames on a level timber base, then conceal the gaps with side fillers, trim, skirting and cornice. Caulking and painting the finishing pieces to match helps several PAX units read as one custom closet.
Can you paint IKEA PAX wardrobes?
Yes, but the smooth surface needs careful preparation. Clean and lightly sand the areas being painted, apply a high-adhesion furniture primer, then finish with a durable furniture or cabinet paint.
Which IKEA system is best for a small closet?
BOAXEL is often the best fit inside a small existing closet because its wall-mounted rails, shelves and clothes rods use less visual and physical space than full wardrobe frames. PAX may work better when you need closed storage, while ELVARLI suits an open bedroom closet.
Is BOAXEL cheaper than PAX?
BOAXEL is generally the more budget-friendly option because it is an open, wall-mounted system without large cabinet frames or doors. The final cost still depends on the size of the closet and the number of shelves, baskets and rails you add, so compare complete configurations rather than individual pieces.
Can renters create an IKEA closet without building permanent units?
Yes. Try freestanding KALLAX shelving, garment rails, drawer units and baskets rather than adding skirting, cornice or permanent filler panels. Always follow IKEA’s anchoring instructions where required and check with your landlord before drilling into walls or ceilings.
What can I use instead of IKEA PAX?
BOAXEL is a good choice for fitting out an existing closet, ELVARLI creates an open dressing-room look, and BILLY, KALLAX, IVAR or RAST can all be adapted for smaller or more flexible storage projects.
How do you hide the gaps around IKEA wardrobes?
Use timber or MDF filler panels between the frames and walls, then add trim along the joins. Finish with paintable caulk, skirting and top moulding before painting the new pieces to match the wardrobe.
Should IKEA wardrobes be attached to the wall?
Yes. IKEA states that PAX frames must be fixed securely to the wall using the appropriate fastenings. The correct fixings depend on your wall type, so follow the assembly instructions and use suitable hardware for plasterboard, masonry or timber-framed walls.