*Please note this post includes affiliate links
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
- Pax Frame 39 3/8″
- Pax Frame 19 5/8″
- Pax Door (Not what I had but what I would use if I was buying)
- Mitre Box and Saw
- Mitre Saw
- Brad Nailer
- Jigsaw
- Alex Flex Caulk
- Caulk Gun
- Liquid Nails
- Latches
- Primer
- Paint Colour
- Faux Poppies
- Light
- Hardboard
- Trim
- Trim (thicker)
CANADIAN LINKS
- Pax Frame 100cm
- Pax Frame 50cm
- Pax Door (Not what I had but what I would use if I was buying)
- Mitre Box and Saw
- Mitre Saw
- Brad Nailer
- Jigsaw
- Alex Flex Caulk
- Caulk Gun
- No More Nails
- Latches
- Primer
- Paint Colour
- Faux Poppies
- Light
- Hardboard
- Trim
- Trim (thicker)
Steps simply broken down:
- 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.
- Removed the quarter round and baseboard if you choose from the wall that the wardrobe will be on.
- 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
- 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).
- 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.
- Once the pax is on the 2 x 4 platform and level, attach the PAX to the wall. Following IKEA instructions for this.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add the hardboard shaker to the doors with No more Nails (and a brad nailer if you would like)
- Prime the whole wardrobe
- Paint the wardrobe
- 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.
- 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!
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?
Author
It was 6 1/2″ tall but I would double check before making any cuts!
Do you have a link for the latches?
Author
Here you go https://bit.ly/3EA933y
Hi! How many litres of paint have you used (October’s Mist). Thank you!
Author
I just used 1 quart!
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!!
Beautiful work! Did you paint the inside or just the doors?
Author
October Mist, I didn’t adjust it to be lighter!
Author
I just painted the outside of the wardrobe!
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?
Author
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!
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!
Author
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.