This post covers a lot: before and after photos, a video tour of how we organized everything, the project cost, closet planning tips to help you tackle your own update, and how we made Ikea Pax wardrobes read as built-in for just about $65 in wood. First, the visuals — the before and after shots. You’ll also see our dog Burger making frequent and very enthusiastic appearances in the photos.
This small closet has come a long way. We started by fixing the oddly narrow, off-center doorway. The original opening was only 22″ wide, which meant John had barely an inch of clearance on each side when passing through. We removed the old door years ago and finally reframed the opening to a wider, centered 34″ doorway. Widening and centering the opening dramatically improved the flow and allowed us to install matching built-ins on each side, creating a symmetrical, custom-feel entry.
We kept the closet’s original footprint — 8′ wide by 6′ deep — but vastly increased its function. Moving walls would have been more costly and complicated, and we didn’t want to steal space from the bathroom where we’d already managed to fit a shower, tub, and large double vanity. Instead we optimized every inch of the existing room to add clothing and shoe storage, a linen area, a built-in hamper, and a donation drop-zone.
Before the renovation the closet was mostly one long hanging bar on my side and a dresser plus a couple of hanging bars on John’s side, with shoes stored on flimsy racks on the floor. Over time we ripped out carpet, stenciled the subfloor as a temporary measure, and lived with the space until we were ready to fully renovate. The upgrade gives us a dedicated place for everything so outfits no longer live in multiple rooms.
We chose the Ikea Pax system because it’s highly customizable, affordable, and can achieve a built-in aesthetic with drawers, doors, pull-outs, glass shelves and felt-lined jewelry trays. We used Ikea’s planning software to design a layout before visiting the store and meeting with their closet expert to finalize the order. That process helped us adjust heights and configurations once we saw components in person.
Why we used Ikea Pax
Pax works well for homeowners who want a polished closet without the cost of custom cabinetry. It’s modular and flexible — drawers, pull-outs, shelves and hanging bars can be rearranged if your storage needs change. We were also returning customers; we used Pax in our first house and appreciated how much vertical storage it added. The system’s soft-close drawers and pull-outs come standard, which felt like high value for the price.
In my section I have three hanging bars: jackets and long sleeves on the middle, silky tanks and short sleeves on the top, and dresses on the bottom. Because my wardrobe is intentionally small, I enjoy generous spacing between hangers — it feels boutique-like and makes it simple to find outfits quickly. If you need space for long dresses, plan a taller hanging section; Pax makes it easy to change later by removing a lower bar.
One of my favorite zones is the purse and accessory compartment with a hanging bar and a pull-out hook rail. Below that sits a glass shelf over a felt-lined jewelry pullout — a small upgrade that makes the area feel luxe. The jewelry tray and pullout ran about $40 and the glass shelf roughly $25; both are inexpensive ways to add function and style.
I chose shoe pull-outs rather than fixed lower shelves so I can stay on my feet and access pairs in the back without kneeling or removing items in front. These pull-outs make grabbing occasional or special-occasion shoes quick and pleasant; everyday shoes are stored in our mudroom so the closet houses less-used pairs and keeps daily routines efficient.
John’s side includes tall storage for a laundry hamper, a step stool, and open shelving and drawers to contain shirts, hats, swimwear, and more. We even converted one wardrobe into a full-service linen closet with towels, sheets in drawers, and spare bedding. Planning allowed us to keep everyday items in the easiest-to-access spots and lesser-used items tucked behind doors or on higher shelves.
Organization video tour
We filmed a video tour that opens every door and drawer so you can see exactly where things go, how the pull-outs work, and why we chose specific features. The video also demonstrates reachability, step-stool use, and the hamper access. If you can’t watch it now, the photos in this post highlight many of the same ideas, but the video is the most thorough way to explore the system in action.
A few practical planning tips we mention in the video and in the photos:
- Take inventory of everything you plan to store — count shoes, folded linens, and other items so you order the right number of shelves, drawers and pull-outs.
- Place everyday items in the most accessible areas and reserve behind-door storage for things you retrieve less often.
- Consider add-ons that elevate function and appearance: glass shelves, felt trays, and small hole plugs to cover fastener holes for a clean finish.
- Plan for reachability: include a designated spot for a step stool and allow extra height in hamper compartments so you can easily access them.
- Create solutions that solve problems elsewhere in the house, like adding baskets for donations or hand-me-downs so clutter doesn’t collect in other rooms.
How we made it look built-in
To make Pax wardrobes look custom, we built them in so they read wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling. Because our ceiling height is just under standard 8′, we used two 93″ tall wardrobe boxes flanking a centered 29″ box on each side of the closet. Small gaps remained at the sides and along the top, which we closed using a simple two-board technique.
The two-board approach: attach a first board flush to the cabinet box (this one can be a little rough), then nail a precisely cut second board to the first so the trim sits flush with the cabinet doors. Use primed 3/4″ boards painted to match the wardrobe color for a seamless result. Fill nail holes, caulk seams, and paint the added trim the same finish as the wardrobe to unify the look.
When finished, the wardrobes look like a custom installation. The small amount of primed wood we used to build in the system cost roughly $65, but the visual impact is considerable.
The budget breakdown
Here’s what we spent to transform this 8′ x 6′ closet into a highly functional space:
- Pax wardrobe boxes: $440 (purchased during a sale)
- Wardrobe doors: $120 (for all doors)
- Interior fittings and dividers: $885
- Ikea delivery fee: $129
- Brass arched floor mirror: $385 (on sale)
- Chandelier: $199 (on sale)
- Vintage rug: $187 (on sale)
- Primed wood to build in wardrobes: $65
- Paint and caulk: $26
- TOTAL: $2,436 (does not include shared bathroom renovation costs)
If you need to trim costs, opt for more shelves instead of pull-outs and drawers, skip doors, or choose a more budget-friendly mirror. Compared to a fully custom closet, this solution delivers a highly finished look for significantly less money.
We’re wrapping up the adjoining bathroom and will share that budget and progress soon. For now, this closet has given us an organized, functional, and beautiful space that truly changed how we use our daily routines — and all within the existing footprint of the room.