IKEA Wardrobe Guide: PAX System, Design & Buying in Ireland

Anyone who has ever tried to fit a wardrobe into a less-than-perfectly-rectangular room knows the struggle. IKEA’s PAX system — available in Ireland with frames in two depths (35 cm and 58 cm) and two heights (201 cm and 236 cm) — is designed to solve that exact problem, but the sheer number of options can feel overwhelming. This guide walks through the key decisions, from measuring your space to selecting doors and interior fittings, so you can build a wardrobe that actually fits your room and your life.

Wardrobe types available: 2-door, 3-door, sliding, walk-in ·
PAX frame depths: 35 cm and 58 cm ·
PAX frame heights: 201 cm and 236 cm

Four key specs define every PAX wardrobe. Here’s a quick reference:

The pattern: more depth and height means more storage, but requires careful clearance planning — especially for rooms with sloped ceilings or tight corners.

What are the best IKEA wardrobes for small rooms?

Choosing the right frame size

• PAX frames come in widths of 50 cm, 75 cm, and 100 cm (IKEA Ireland design guide).
• For narrow alcoves, a 50 cm wide frame paired with a 35 cm depth fits many small Irish bedrooms.
• The 201 cm height frame works under standard 240 cm ceilings; the 236 cm option fills more vertical space.

Using sliding doors to save space

• Sliding doors require no swing clearance, making them ideal for tight rooms (IKEA Ireland design guide).
• IKEA offers sliding door sets in mirror, glass, and wood finishes.

Maximizing vertical storage

• Interior organizers like shelves, drawers, and shoe racks optimise every centimetre (IKEA Ireland design guide).
• Using the full frame height (236 cm) adds an extra shelf compared to the 201 cm frame.

The implication: for small rooms, prioritise sliding doors and the 236 cm height to maximise usable storage without sacrificing floor space.

How to design a PAX wardrobe?

IKEA Ireland’s design guide breaks the process into five steps: choose frames, choose doors/knobs/handles, plan the interior layout, add small accessories, and select interior lighting (IKEA Ireland design guide).

Selecting the frame

• Measure your space: floor to ceiling, wall to wall (IKEA Ireland Customer Service).
• Choose width (50, 75, 100 cm), depth (35 or 58 cm), and height (201 or 236 cm) based on your measurements.
• Allow 4 cm extra height clearance when building the frame upright, or 10 cm if assembled on the floor (IKEA Ireland design guide).

Choosing doors and handles

• Doors come in hinged or sliding styles, with finishes from white gloss to dark brown wood.
• Handles and knobs are sold separately, allowing customisation.

Planning the interior layout

• Use IKEA’s online planner to add shelves, drawers, hanging rails, and accessories (IKEA Ireland PAX Planner).
• Consider your wardrobe’s purpose: long hanging for coats, double hanging for shirts, shelves for folded items.

The catch: the planner is powerful, but it only works with PAX frames — you cannot mix systems.

What is the IKEA wardrobe planner?

How to use the planner

• Visit the IKEA Ireland PAX Planner page and start with a blank canvas or a template.
• Add frames, then choose doors, interiors, and lighting.
• The planner shows a 3D preview and generates a shopping list.

Features and limitations

• It is free and saves your design online (IKEA Ireland Online Room Planner).
• You can share designs with IKEA staff for advice.
• Limitation: it does not include non-PAX wardrobes or custom-built furniture.

Alternative planning methods

• Download the PAX PDF guide from IKEA Ireland for manual measurements.
• Visit the Dublin store (Ballymun) for in-person planning with staff.

Why this matters: the planner reduces the risk of ordering mismatched components, but always double-check your room measurements before finalising.

How do IKEA wardrobes compare to JYSK wardrobes?

Price range

• JYSK wardrobes are generally more affordable, with basic models starting under €200.
• IKEA PAX frames start at around €100 per frame, plus doors and interiors.

Customization options

• IKEA offers a wider range of sizes, door styles, and interior fittings (IKEA Ireland PAX system category).
• JYSK wardrobes are mostly fixed-size with limited door choices.

Quality and warranty

• IKEA provides a 10-year warranty on PAX frames (IKEA Ireland design guide).
• JYSK typically offers 2–5 year warranties.

The trade-off: you pay more for IKEA, but you get modularity, a longer warranty, and the ability to reconfigure later.

Where can I buy IKEA wardrobes in Ireland?

IKEA Dublin store

• The only IKEA store in Ireland is in Ballymun, Dublin (IKEA Ireland design guide).
• You can browse PAX displays and get planning help.

Online ordering and delivery

• Online delivery covers most of Ireland (IKEA Ireland design guide).
• Delivery fees vary by order value and location.

Click and collect options

• Click and collect is available at the Dublin store – order online, pick up in store.

The pattern: for most of Ireland, online ordering is the only option, so factor in delivery costs and assembly time.

IKEA wardrobe specifications

Three frame widths, two depths, two heights – the combinations create a solid foundation for any room.

What this means: the 50 cm × 35 cm × 201 cm frame is the smallest – ideal for a tight alcove; the 100 cm × 58 cm × 236 cm frame offers the most volume.

How to assemble and install an IKEA wardrobe

1. Measure your space and allow clearance: 4 cm extra height if building upright, 10 cm if building on the floor (IKEA Ireland design guide).
2. Follow the assembly instructions step by step – you will need a screwdriver, hammer, and a second person for lifting.
3. Level the frame using the adjustable feet, then attach doors and interior fittings.
4. Anchor the wardrobe to the wall to prevent tipping (included safety fitting).

The implication: assembly is DIY, but clearance planning is the difference between a smooth installation and a frustrating hour.

What we know and what’s unclear

The pattern: confirmed facts are backed by official sources, while uncertainties remain around pricing, availability, and warranty terms.

What the experts say

“Create a custom-made PAX wardrobe that’s perfect for your needs.”

– IKEA official website (IKEA Ireland design guide)

“The first step is to find the maximum width, height, and depth of the space where the wardrobe will be placed.”

– IKEA Ireland Customer Service (IKEA Ireland Customer Service)

Summary

IKEA’s PAX system gives Irish homeowners a genuinely modular wardrobe solution, but the real value comes from careful planning: measure accurately, use the online planner, and choose sliding doors for tight spaces. For anyone in Ireland looking to upgrade storage, the choice is clear: invest time in the design phase, or risk a wardrobe that doesn’t quite fit.

Frequently asked questions