Pax Wardrobe Hack 2.0

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When I decided I was going to complete this project, I knew I wanted it to be a little different from the first Pax Hack I completed, but I really wasn’t sure how I was going to make it happen until I was part way through this project when I came up with an idea stemming from this beautiful cabinet I saw on Instagram.

Materials/Tools

There are the main pieces I used to complete this project

US LINKS

CANADIAN LINKS

Steps simply broken down:

  1. The Pax was existing in this room, luckily there were a few in this house when we moved in. If you need to build one, start with building the frames.
  2. Removed the quarter round and baseboard if you choose from the wall that the wardrobe will be on.
    1. I did not remove mine (it’s over 100 years old!), which means I needed to add blocks behind the top of the wardrobe to make sure it is level against the wall
  3. Built a 2 x 4 base for the PAX to sit on, ensuring that there were cross supports running front to back anywhere the wardrobe would touch the ground (side to side and front to back).
  4. Build similar for the top of the PAX – creating studs. You need something attached to the top of the pax, and the ceiling. This is what you will attach the wood/trim to eventually so it needs to be flat.
  5. Once the pax is on the 2 x 4 platform and level, attach the PAX to the wall. Following IKEA instructions for this.
  6. If you want to used latches unevenly like I did – I had three doors, two doors had a latch between them (right side of my wardrobe), but the odd door needed something to attach the second side of the latch to. See the left side of my wardrobe to understand. You need to add a piece of trim to the side that is wide enough to handle the latch. In my video, I did this later on because my plans changed, but this is when I would recommend adding this piece.
  7. Then add baseboard and any crown/upper trim to bridge the gap to the ceiling. Alternatively you could just add a piece of crown and not take the wardrobe to the ceiling.
  8. Add the hardboard shaker to the doors with No more Nails (and a brad nailer if you would like)
  9. Prime the whole wardrobe
  10. Paint the wardrobe
  11. I drew on the “holes” but you can cut/drill out this detail. I just used a circle stencil/template from my drafting kit and a sharpie! I might go back and drill it but happy with this for now.
  12. Install the cabinet latches

Watch the video for the full tutorial

Before

After

I hope this is helpful, if there are any questions you have, please let me know!

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14 Comments

  1. F Yasmin
    August 20, 2022 /

    Hi, I am unsure what height skirting board I need with the 2 by 4 based added. On your video, it looks like the top of the skirting is just high enough that the door doesn’t touch it? Could you please advise the height of your skirting board?

  2. Emma Courtney
    Author
    August 22, 2022 /

    It was 6 1/2″ tall but I would double check before making any cuts!

  3. Karre
    September 19, 2022 /

    Do you have a link for the latches?

  4. Carlota
    December 6, 2022 /

    Hi! How many litres of paint have you used (October’s Mist). Thank you!

  5. Emma Courtney
    Author
    December 8, 2022 /

    I just used 1 quart!

  6. Lisa
    December 27, 2022 /

    Hi did you end up going with October Mist for the final coats or is it one shade lighter? If lighter, do you know the name of that color? Thanks so much— it looks beautiful!!

  7. Edith Jaworski
    December 28, 2022 /

    Beautiful work! Did you paint the inside or just the doors?

  8. Emma Courtney
    Author
    January 3, 2023 /

    October Mist, I didn’t adjust it to be lighter!

  9. Emma Courtney
    Author
    January 3, 2023 /

    I just painted the outside of the wardrobe!

  10. Garnier
    January 12, 2023 /

    Hi, congratulations for such a work! You’ll save me for my house in Bretagne, I didn’t know how to build nice and cheap wardrobe! Well, with my terrible english I ask you: do you join the wooden platform and the Pax with nails, or glue, or something? Or it is only put on?

  11. Emma Courtney
    Author
    January 24, 2023 /

    Hi, thank you so much. The wardrobe is just sitting on the wooden platform, and then attached to the wall. However, you should do what you feel comfortable with! If you would prefer to attach them together, then you should!

  12. Dana Smith
    February 15, 2023 /

    Amazing! So many great ideas! I couldn’t tell, but were the original doors the high gloss white? That’s what mine are and I’m wondering if I need to sand them first, or just prime like you did. Thanks!

  13. Emma Courtney
    Author
    February 16, 2023 /

    Yes mine were high gloss. I would maybe give them a light sand but make sure they are still nice and smooth before using the BIN primer.

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