wardrobe storage

[DawnM]

Trying to decide on dad's storage situation.

I like the idea of IKEA's PAX system and how customizable it is, but I am not crazy about the quality for the cost.

I have tried to find used but so far, the configuration isn't what we want.

"Regular" armoires aren't tall enough or wide enough and seem very bulky for not that much storage.   I have looked quite a bit and can't find them unless I am willing to spend several thousand dollars (like 8k or more, and no, I am not willing to do that.)

Is there anything similar to the PAX system that is a knock off/different brand?   either better quality for the same price or same quality but less $$?

since this is a studio apt, I was looking at something multi-functional, that would look more like a living room, like this, with the TV going in the middle.

 

 

 

Edited April 9, 2021 by DawnM

[Katy]

I honestly don’t think you’re going to find that sort of system in better quality for less than the price of Ikea. Especially with the price of lumber and hardware skyrocketing.  They have systems to make what you pictured and their hardware quality is good. 

You could possibly have the plywood custom cut and you just assemble it using Ana White’s new website where they cut the lumber for you, but I haven’t tried it myself. Building cabinets and wardrobes yourself is tricky. Everything has to be square or you have problems with hinges not working properly. And you want to use plywood or particle board because solid wood will warp too much. By the time you’ve built them they are more expensive than Ikea and generally not as high quality. 

You could also hire someone to custom build cabinets, but at that point you’re looking at quadruple or more the price of just buying them.

[Katy]

Oh, and there are videos on YouTube of how people installed the PAX units to make them appear built in and higher quality. If you want a custom look I’d search for those. 

[plansrme]

How about using Ikea kitchen cabinets instead of Pax? If you search "Ikea kitchen cabinets for wardrobe storage," you will find a lot of examples of people who make essentially make closets out of Ikea kitchen cabinets. Drawers are drawers, and for hanging clothes, you could just put in a bar. Bonus is that you can often find Ikea cabinets used.

[TheReader]

Another idea from Ikea is the Hemnes line of furniture; it's good quality/"furniture quality" and a good price for what it is. I have several pieces in my sewing room, and they've all held up really well, and look really nice. They have bedroom and living room options, it's real pine, with doors and drawers and nice hardware and mix & matchable (especially if you do the living room options), and looks like you could find similar configurations to what you want from the PAX stuff. 

 

[City Mouse]

Maybe try The Container Store, but I think it will be way more expensive than IKEA.

[Bambam]

8 minutes ago, City Mouse said:

Maybe try The Container Store, but I think it will be way more expensive than IKEA.

I love the Container Store, but it is most definitely way more expensive than IKEA. They do have a lovely selection of a variety of storage options though. 

[Scarlett]

I think I would just build a simple closet on that wall between the bathroom and the steps.  That will be very inexpensive.  Then you can supplement with more of a furniture look for drawer space in other parts of the room.  Seems like the room is plenty big enough for a built in closet and furniture too.

[DawnM]

1 hour ago, Katy said:

I honestly don’t think you’re going to find that sort of system in better quality for less than the price of Ikea. Especially with the price of lumber and hardware skyrocketing.  They have systems to make what you pictured and their hardware quality is good. 

You could possibly have the plywood custom cut and you just assemble it using Ana White’s new website where they cut the lumber for you, but I haven’t tried it myself. Building cabinets and wardrobes yourself is tricky. Everything has to be square or you have problems with hinges not working properly. And you want to use plywood or particle board because solid wood will warp too much. By the time you’ve built them they are more expensive than Ikea and generally not as high quality. 

You could also hire someone to custom build cabinets, but at that point you’re looking at quadruple or more the price of just buying them.

I think you are right.....I haven't been able to and DH can build beautiful woodwork cabinets, but he doesn't have the time.  He hates IKEA stuff because he much prefers real wood.   He put in an entire kitchen with his own made Hickory cabinets in CA.....but no time.....sigh.

1 hour ago, Katy said:

Oh, and there are videos on YouTube of how people installed the PAX units to make them appear built in and higher quality. If you want a custom look I’d search for those. 

 

Yes, I have been watching them.   DH can do that without much effort, so I am glad for that.

1 hour ago, plansrme said:

How about using Ikea kitchen cabinets instead of Pax? If you search "Ikea kitchen cabinets for wardrobe storage," you will find a lot of examples of people who make essentially make closets out of Ikea kitchen cabinets. Drawers are drawers, and for hanging clothes, you could just put in a bar. Bonus is that you can often find Ikea cabinets used.

I looked into that, but it is much more $$ overall.   I didn't configure the entire thing, and maybe I could find used, but prob not in the configuration I need.

1 hour ago, TheReader said:

Another idea from Ikea is the Hemnes line of furniture; it's good quality/"furniture quality" and a good price for what it is. I have several pieces in my sewing room, and they've all held up really well, and look really nice. They have bedroom and living room options, it's real pine, with doors and drawers and nice hardware and mix & matchable (especially if you do the living room options), and looks like you could find similar configurations to what you want from the PAX stuff. 

 

Yes, I am looking at those too, I like the doors better, but people say it fits PAX cabinets too.

1 hour ago, City Mouse said:

Maybe try The Container Store, but I think it will be way more expensive than IKEA.

Yeah, WAY more expensive.

1 hour ago, Bambam said:

I love the Container Store, but it is most definitely way more expensive than IKEA. They do have a lovely selection of a variety of storage options though. 

Yes

36 minutes ago, Scarlett said:

I think I would just build a simple closet on that wall between the bathroom and the steps.  That will be very inexpensive.  Then you can supplement with more of a furniture look for drawer space in other parts of the room.  Seems like the room is plenty big enough for a built in closet and furniture too.

No, the space between the bathroom and the steps will be the kitchenette, so it can't go there.  that wall is where the water is.

Edited April 9, 2021 by DawnM

[DawnM]

Here is the current layout idea for the room and for the bathroom.

• Yellow line is the door to the bathroom.  
• Brown desks up front are for his office, he has a lot of desk space he likes to have.   
• Dark blue represent the Ikea Pax wardrobes (or similar) with TV (cable line is on that wall)
• Door to enter is lower right
• He sleeps in a recliner so no bed needed
• Light blue square represents an area rug if we choose to have one

Shower will be 38" corner round shower, but the model only allowed square.

Does that bathroom sink seem too large?   It is 36" but it is one I really like and it is rounded.

 

 

[TheReader]

I like the layout; I don't think the bathroom sink is too large -- it looks like it gives some good space for things like toothbrush holder, cup, floss (??), mouthwash, etc., which is good. 

A friend of mine is very specifically, on purpose, building almost this exact layout for her house/space right now, and it works really, really well. I think he'll be really happy with this. 

[Scarlett]

37 minutes ago, TheReader said:

I like the layout; I don't think the bathroom sink is too large -- it looks like it gives some good space for things like toothbrush holder, cup, floss (??), mouthwash, etc., which is good. 

A friend of mine is very specifically, on purpose, building almost this exact layout for her house/space right now, and it works really, really well. I think he'll be really happy with this. 

I agree.  I don't think the sink is too big either. That is a bit different than what I had in my mind.....but it sure seems nice.  I think he will be happy.

[DawnM]

19 minutes ago, Scarlett said:

I agree.  I don't think the sink is too big either. That is a bit different than what I had in my mind.....but it sure seems nice.  I think he will be happy.

 

what did you have in mind?

 

[DawnM]

I don't think I put the wardrobes deep enough now that I look at it.   I think they come out further.   

But the bathroom door will be far enough from the wall that we could put one between the bathroom and the fireplace and one on the other side of the fireplace if we wanted to do that instead.

[Scarlett]

5 minutes ago, DawnM said:

 

what did you have in mind?

 

Oh I just meant the lay out.  I think I had in mind that the closet was going by the stairs but that was probably before you had contractors out to help decide.  I think it looks great.

[DawnM]

7 minutes ago, Scarlett said:

Oh I just meant the lay out.  I think I had in mind that the closet was going by the stairs but that was probably before you had contractors out to help decide.  I think it looks great.

 

Ah, ok.   It is a little tricky to make a layout because of the placement of the permanent items like the huge fireplace and the door locations, etc....when I was looking at ideas for a 450 sq. ft. studio, there weren't really any I could copy or even come somewhat close to due to the fixtures.

If my older son ends up in that space in the future, we will probably build a loft where the wardrobe is so he can have a little bedroom up there, but of course, Dad can't climb up them.