Upright Assembly Of The Stylish Ikea Pax Wardrobe
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- The largest of the Ikea Pax wardrobes at 2.36m in height can be tricky to assemble with average ceiling height. Sometime you just need to build it in place.
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Lovely, done this a few times myself. Found also if you temporarily install one of the mid shelves before you nail in the back it's a bit less wobbly. 👍
Great video. I learnt the hard way.
I built 2 pax units and come to lift them up and of course were too big(as you described) I didn’t understand why at first, I thought I had all my measurements correct.
However I soon realised what had happened.
I ended up tilting it and sawing some off the bottom just enough to tilt it in, what a nightmare.
Thanks again for highlighting this simple but complex problem.
I had to do the same - but I needed to reduce the height of every unit by 2.5cm as well. I found that using the strip I cut off as a template for redrilling the holes for the dowels was really helpful. Then I added a bookcase at the end of the run that needed to be modified for both width and height! At least Pax is really easy to hack and modify.
I learned this tip from ProperDIY showing how to alter IKEA Billy Bookcase. Cries in my house of "Genius, why did I not think of that?"
I'm sat here giggling away.. We've all been there 😂
I assembled my pax wardrobes standing up for the same reason as you, I think the extra holes at the top and bottom are there so you can fit a sliding doors kit as opposed to normal swing opening doors on hinges.
About a year back, my sister asked me to build a couple of Ikea style wardrobes, and showed me the photo. Of course I said, and dully measured her room. Went home and 'Built' them. On taking them to her house.... Of course, I could not stand them up 😱. I had to partially disassemble, and then like you. Then had to re assemble while vertical. Luckily my Bro in Law was there to 'Steady' everything while I put it back together. It helps to have an extra set of hands 😁
Fantastic to watch n learn from you. Tnx.
My first two door wardrobe, I assembled on the Queen size bed, in the middle of the room. I did very well, it looked fantastic.
And then I looked where I wanted to put it. Well, 😅 to 😂... at realising my big error, it took a while but I eventually got it upright and off the bed. What a lesson. Me and my calibrator knockometer made a beautiful piece of furniture. 😊
Miss my Daddykins, he had a teaching manner similar to yours.
High five on your channel, I have been watching a very long time. I have learned heaps. Onwards through 2025 we continue. ☆
I love the comment about the backs getting thinner. I once had a wardrobe from Argos, when it turned up the back was missing, or so i thought. when the new back got here it turned out to just be a bit of cardboard, exactly the same as the packaging it came in. I though it was a bit of packaging and threw it away. Needless to say the wardrobe didnt last long and the sides bowed out really badly.
With my wardrobes i had the same problem with the ceiling heigh and putting the backs on. I used some painterstape to hang them in place :)
11:36 That was rather touching. I did something similar with my former home in 1995.
I tend to glue the back in place as well as nailing it..
Exactly the problem I went into yesterday fitting an alcove unit I built. I left enough clearance, as I thought. Little did I think at the moment about a diagonal!! clearance))
Love the sunday morn videos. Keep u d good work.
Nice job!! Agree with you about a dab of glue on the dowels.
My son bought and fitted some of those wardrobes, havinmg helped him I wouldn't have even attempted to build them on the floor and then raise them upright even if you had the height clearance.
Morning all - coffee and toast at the ready ….and Proper DIY ….. IF Carlsberg did Sunday’s!
Good job as always Stuart 👏 You know the saying "Happy wife, happy life!" 😅
Well said. Been with my wife for 52 years.
I did a PAX when I moved in, absolutely glad I went that route. The lights options are a neat touch.
There appears to be a lack of swear words in this video that is usually associated with making IKEA flatpack furniture !
Yes. Very unrealistic video. 😅
@@ianrobinson68 I'm not sure I ever swear doing IKEA. I find their step by step guides very useful. (Probably assembled around 14 pax wardrobes, lots of Billy's, 20+ methods and a few random pieces)
A bit like when me and Mrs went shed shopping at B&Q, only to realise when we got in the car park that we had come in a Smart car... 😊
Nothing to do with DIY but I love the Smart car. I've had three Smart For Two 451 variants. 🙂
😂😂😂
😂😂
I feel your pain. I'm a handyman and have this issue all the time
By far one of my three favourite channels, thank you Stuart 👍👍
About the backboards getting thinner and thinner: My wife literally told me yesterday that the old IKEA step stools were much sturdier than the newer ones. Thinner wood, lower quality fasteners, all to make them cheaper, but sell them more expensive than before...
There’s this thing called inflation.
@@DrEmilSchaffhausenThe3rd true, but IKEA is, like many other manufacturers, trying to cut costs in any way possible. And they do try to keep the loss in quality to a minimum, but look at their stuff from two decades ago compared to now. Thinner, lighter, cheaper.
Worst part of a proper DIY video is waiting another week for the next one 😭
Watch out on the pax they supply a set of brackets that have to be placed into holes in the base but when you put them in they shatter the corner of the base, its because the chipboard they now use is of such low quality it just breaks. The kickboards also break if you accidently kick them after instalation. The first set of holes you have inserted the kick plate into are a continuation of the shelf pin holes, most likely for a bookcase unit as the parts are mass produced for various designs. The kick plate holes are the front two holes not the ones you put them in.
Great tips👍
I felt for you today. A couple of years ago, I put up my 2' wide Corona wardrobe in a 3' by 2' room. It was my first time doing an upright construction, and I felt like a contortionist at times. I took it out last year and built my own, which was a much easier option.
You should see how the beige PAX assembles (it’s coming to the other colours in time).
It’s designed for super quick assembly AND disassembly for ease of moving house. But super super easy to assemble upright
Built some of the beige units for my daughter just last month. Brilliant piece of design work. The back and sides just open up like a book and everything else just slots together 👌
It’s already in Europe on all colours. Built 3m wide system last year for my GF and it was so easy compared with my original version.
Fantastic video, Thankyou kindly. This will be most helpful.
I built a tall wardrobe from Ikea a few years ago before they started giving you instructions on how to build it upright, I remember feeling rather pleased with myself, especially as I thought we messed up buying something that was to tall for the room 😊
I've just built 3.5 metres of Pax standing up. It's certainly fun 😊
This video deserves 10 million views
That went smoother than expected! I was thinking go the first one would be easy, but then thought there’d be a bit of a faff manoeuvring in the subsequent bits.
Ikea makes nice stuff. Especially for flatpack. It’s fairly easy to customize and the selection is large. They include features such as soft close that you don’t see much in products from other companies. I have had great luck with their products holding up over time too.
I used PAX for our walk in wardrobe too. I’m impressed you managed to film this as well as getting them up!
I’ve found they last really well, been in place for 7 years and just as good as the day I fitted them.
I was expecting issues with the drawer slides at this price point as they’re used everyday but no problems at all.
Guys, don't let your missus see this, you'll be down IKEA quicker than you can say DIY. Irish I had your skills and patience. Great video as always 👍
I like to glue in the back panels, with these super thin sheets the nail holes can quickly wallow out so glue makes them extra sturdy. I also paint the back panel with Zinnser Permawhite as I find the MDF they use will quickly mould in even the slightest damp such as up against an outside wall.
Fantastic instructional video as always Stuart🙌.. reminds me of when I’m trying an awkward process for the 1st time, except my air is bluer 😂 your black t shirt collection must be huge 😉 love the calling card.. great stuff !
Cheers Rob
Thanks Stuart, this is so worth sharing, many people without your experience would have been caught out by this, I've had a few tight corners myself over the years, we all try to squeeze the most out of the space we've got ! Like me you seem to have slightly grudging respect for Ikea, they do what they do well, people just have unrealistic expectations I feel !
Hi Stuart. In all the expat moves we’ve made as a family, only had to build the pax vertically once due to ceiling heights
limits. But lucky for me, my wife is very handy and we did this job together. Piece of cake with two!
My wife makes cakes and I build up all the IKEA IKEA Pax wardrobes, Malm drawer units, King sized beds etc.......
Luckily I have a Victorian flat with twelve foot ceilings although not so good when painting and papering!
lol I had the same issue with the robes in my walk in.
I decided to make a plinth base for the robes, that I leveled in place. I then cut the same amount off the bottom of each robe and this allowed me to stand the robe up. Was easier for me to do than assembling the robe vertically. Great vid.
Ah, yes, the upright assembly! I've had to deal with this myself, in a new build house where the bed had to remain present in the same room!!
At least you didn't have a customer downstairs wondering what the swearing was about! 😀
Did this very thing a few weeks ago. A struggle but got them in.
Hi Stuart I’ve installed quite a few units from various companies over the years , and have often modified them to make them look more bespoke . These products often come in for a lot of stick , because they appear flimsy . Yet with a bit of creativity they can really work well , and be much cheaper than a top end systems. Looking forward to the next update 👍
I am looking forward to seeing what you do with the trim. I'm ordering a Pax wardrobe this week and was wondering about making them look neater. Your videos are always great and informative.
Great viewing on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee.
Brings back memories when I made up our wardrobe and then realised there was not enough room to make it vertical.
😂😂😂😂😂😂 I’ve been there, I was lucky had a few mil clearance but gave it no thought and got away with it.
We used Pax to create that fitted look, 2 of the wide frames either wide of a narrower frame for 5 doors in total. We had to build them upright and even trim the bottom by 1cm to get them floor to ceiling in our room.
That's takes me back to just one year ago when I fitted 2 of those shallower wardrobes WITHIN an already fitted wardrobe as it was just a bare shell, and I needed draws etc. I assembled it inside the shell, yes it wasn't easy but I did it😂
“No matter how much I play with it, I can’t get it in”
Comedy gold 👍
I myself have also just finished having to do the same thing. Starplan units with bio-fold doors and Starplan Sliderobe doors. Certainly not for the faint heart doing as a one [1] man job as the mirrored door a dam heavy. However I did manage to do. Waiting patiently for the follow-up chapter. Many Thank for sharing. Stay safe and enjoy.
We had to do this too. However as the floor was laid we had to multitool a smal bit off the bottoms. Turned out really nice
Built ours a couple of years ago. Ended up adding a frame to the base so that you could stand on it or place something heavy inside without the risk of it bending.
IKEA wardrobes are symmetrical, you can start installing it from either end, hence you have double holes at the kick plates.
Was about to post similar comment!
Good timing!
I’ve got a 3 mirrored door version of these to dismantle and reassemble very soon as we’re moving bedrooms. I’m wondering now how much more I’ll have to take it apart now🙄🙄
When we had our kitchen remodeled I took pictures of the before and labeled them with our names and date and put them in 2 separate spaces between the cabinets and wall. I put them in baggies.
Enjoyed the video
I built mine 10 years ago built them standing up easy and I was on my own they brilliant
Useful video if you still have old PAX. The current PAX system has the side and back pre-assembled and unfold like an accordion, for easier vertical assembly.
Also to note, for old PAX and other series that requires nailing the back particle board, it is better to ensure the frame is square before nailing.
I was about to say the same…new Pax goes up vertical and so much easier!
I feel your pain I have just finished building 3 off them a peace of advice if your putting lights on select the location for it if there going under a shelf don't put the shelf bracket in the hole as the lights have there own
I built four 100cm x 236cm Pax and luckily noticed after fitting the lights to the first one......
I built 2 Pax wardrobes upright in my wife's dressing room. Just be patient. Check ceiling height and check youhave all the fixings BEFORE you start. I had tomodify the bottom plinth to reduce wardrobe height by 2cm. Everything went smoothly.
😂 Been there done it by myself and found the massive runout in a past bedroom ceiling left me struggle for hours getting the slidding doors on!🙄
A staple gun is very handy for the backs when assembling them standing. Staple in the top, then nail the rest of the way around.
Nice video 👍 Been there - done that 👌 These Ikea Pax wardrobes are great ✔
I've built several in a closet, and had to do similar things. To complete the closet, built some filler panels on the sides.
My last walk in wardrobe was just that - it was a small room with clothes rails and shelves. Never had a cupboard in the wardrobe.
Like the holder you used for the nails. Where did you get it from?
Nice video!
The yellowy/ cream coloured one has a different build design, it concertinas out meaning you build it up right in situ. The backboard is already built in.
Yes early in to my DIY learning I discovered the issue with the diagonal of a wardrobe being longer than the vertical length. The standard wardrobes cleared diagonally by about 5mm but the bigger corner wardrobe didn't. I didn't discover this until I had already built it though.
Couple of bits of duck tape does wonders to keep the back up just to get the first tacks in
Dont forget when building a wardrobe that doesn't have enough clearance to stand up to over enthusiasticly try to stand it up and scatch your fresh ceiling paint as well like me
Morning and thanks for the video. I've been there forgetting you can't assemble on site due to diagonal measurements and wardrobe heights. But once done wrong never forgotten!!
Can you tell me where you got the nail holder from please when you were securing the back. Now that's a handy gizmo!
The nail holder is supplied by ikea as part of the installation kit.
Exactly what happened to me a few years ago except that I didn't measure first... I assembled the frame on the floor then couldn't title it upright so had to pull it apart then start over directly upright and in place, lol.
What’s the little doohickey @10:01 that stops you bashing your fingers when putting the pins in called?
The pin holder? It comes with the wardrobe.
My son has one of those bigger wardrobes. Fortunately he also has Victorian height ceilings so we could assemble it lying down. It didn't make it any easier getting it to the vertical though. Whenever he moves out it's getting left for the new owners or sledgehammered! ;-)
Built four 100cm x 236cm Pax wardrobes and no problems moving them to upright or around the room.
They're meant to be secured to the wall in situ so follow the instructions, don't lift up on the thin edge as it can lose rigidity so always lift on the wide side.
When upright push around from low down to slide them around.
I moved them about on the cardboard, only removing it once almost in position.
You're walk in wardrobe, i'm pretty sure the wife wasn't there when you said that 😂
My neighbour assembled his ikea wardrobes in the vertical position which allowed him a much taller set I wished I’d known this could be done. As ikea repeatedly tell you to allow for them to be assembled on the floor to allow them to be clear the ceiling when put in the vertical position
The only tip I can give use m I always keep one of those multi compartment plastic boxes and open all the fixings packets and assign the different screws one type to one compartment, that way I can check I have enough of each type and much easier to grab the appropriate screws rather than fumbling in multiple half opened plastic bags 😊
The black pin nail holder……. Supplied with the kit?
I wondered that - a nifty idea.
Yep, comes with the kit.
@@tommyp100thank you! Almost a game changer - it’s always where my Ikea experience goes a bit westward!
Really useful - I always save them....... And then can never remember where I've put them 😂
One of their better ideas!
I got ikea wardrobes when I first moved in - I live in a dorma bungalow so the upstairs has a lower ceiling. It was a long time ago but I’m almost certain their website (did) mention about needing to allow clearance. I remember it limiting my choices and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have considered it myself otherwise.😂
Great video, reality DIY, talking to inanimate objects! 😂😂
Good one mate!
They are designed to build in standing position so they can be built in tight spaces which closets typically are. I just finished installing 6 units in a new dressing room for my lovely wife and a walking closet for me.
at 3:27 you almost said "can't get it up" didn't you 😂😂
As I'm Canadian i shall quote a great Canadian diy'er in regards to holding the back up while nailing it, you should've grabbed the handyman's secret weapon, duct tape
4:20 From memory, I think the second set of holes are used when you have the sliding doors on the wardrobes
Many years ago, I built my pax upright (there was not option in the manual back then), I have low ceilings and I wanted the tallest one, so I also figured the diagonals would be too long to lift it
I did almost kill myself when holding the side panel high and wide, and couldn’t see anything else and started to lose orientation and my balance and nearly face planted on the panel because couldn’t also step forward to catch myself 😮
Looking great. Didn’t think Ikea did 35mm depth units 👍
I like the black plastic tack/nail holder, was that in the fixings kit?
No matter how much I play with it, I can't get it in...
We've all been there mate😊
Must admit that I have never given credence to all of the IKEA nay-sayers. To me their products, although sometimes needing discreet strengthening, are terrific starting points for DIY projects, and they are getting better and better all of the time.
Agreed, we have a chest of Hemnes drawers in our bedroom, 13yrs at the old house and survived a move without dismantling, even taken vertically up a dog leg staircase at the new place.
People just think it’s cool to mock IKEA.
I have a small Paxlike dent in my plasterboard ceiling just because of this. Calculated the height would just fit, and it did. JUST. But should have done as you did. Never coming out in one piece. Also because it's 3 metres wide by now.
I had to build mine the same way
Your a much braver man than me. Id be divorced by now and ranting incoherently about ikea.
Pax stuff is pretty clever but I think I might have gone for a custom fit-out (like the US reno YT videos have) as it's a walk-in - and it would make good YT content!
Like the pin holder for starting those. Does it work with cable clips?
Might do if you shaved the jaw part down a bit
Where do we get hold of one?
I love that little black guide what is it called where can you buy it ? I could have used that many years ago when building my shelf unit 😘😘😘😘
Just curious, any reason why you trimmed the window cill with a hand saw rather than use a multitool?
Ikea flat pack furniture is very hackable. I started making a Kallax unit and ended up with a double bed 😂
I’ve just realised that’s why the cams are on the visible inside of the wardrobe. For upright assembly 😁