The map to creating your ideal IKEA closet
Ok, open minds people please…I know when doing renovations, “IKEA” can be a bit of a dirty word. People feel that if they’re creating this beautiful home, it’s inconceivable that they should ‘mess it up’ but bringing in IKEA furniture….but let me tell you, IKEA closets actually serve a really great purpose. If you have the budget for custom carpentered closets, then great, definitely go for that, no question. However, I find that I come across so many people that are towards the end of a renovation and money is tight, but the thought of getting IKEA closets is just unthinkable. So they end up spending more money, getting ‘off the rack’ carpentered closets, that don’t look as nice, fit the space as well, serve you as efficiently or last any longer - but technically it’s carpentered, not IKEA, so score…Well think again, IKEA PAX closets can be really great. They’re extensively customizable, for a fraction of the cost of a custom carpentered unit. No, they may not last until the end of time, but they can definitely last a good few years if treated normally.
So now that some of us are open to the concept of an IKEA closet (don’t worry, I won’t tell your mother-in-law or the local shadchanim😜)….“But where do I start?” You ask?… Right here! Read on for all the tips and tricks you need to create a great closet that fits all your needs.
Prep is key
Firstly, before you go to IKEA, I'd highly recommend checking out their 3D PAX planner online. It can get a little stressful when ordering in store, and by ‘a little stressful’ think - one IKEA woman, a queue of 10 (not super patient) people behind you, and you’re trying to break your teeth in Ivrit (which is, just let’s say, not exactly your mother tongue), explaining that you need the hanging section to be a certain height, to fit men’s shirts but still have 4 drawers and a shoe rack underneath. (Side bar: for any other Anglo Israelis out there - there will come a time that bringing kids to IKEA is a help not a hinderance because they can be your in-person google translate. Yes it’s embarrassing, but no, not as embarrassing as them not translating!!). Anyway, so back to online PAX planning...this way at least you can go in with a rough plan and most of the decisions made. It will save you a lot of time and stress, and will ensure you come away with the closet you actually wanted, as opposed to the one you designed under pressure, that doesn't actually serve all your needs. So sit down with a large coffee, spend time creating your closet online, print it off and bring it with you. It's a game changer…trust me!
Gather all the relevant info
Another great idea is going through your current closet with a tape measure. Measure all the sections in your current closet (how wide are your drawers, how much hanging space do you currently have, how many shelves and what are their width etc). Then open all the doors, stand in front and mentally go through each section. What you like, what you don’t like, what items don't have enough space, what sections are too full or too empty, what items you’d like to store differently but never had the space etc…that way when you start creating your closet, you'll have some idea of what you want and you'll go from there.
For example; you currently have 1 meter of hanging space but all your hanging is crammed in there and it drives you nuts. So when you start planning your closet, you'll start off by creating at least 1.5 meters of hanging. Then you'll go onto the drawers and shelves…you currently have way too many shelves and not enough drawers, so when you go to make that section, you'll know to up the amount of drawers you currently have at the expense of a few shelves. The lack of home for your shoes has always bothered you, so you look into their storage options for shoes etc… You'll find that if you collect all the info you need before (measurements, needs), once you get the ball rolling it will come together a lot easier than you thought. And make sure to check out this post for more on this.
Insider tips
Something to keep in mind; I love their glass front drawers and shelves, they look so pretty, especially in their showroom. But don't get sucked into a cool idea that doesn't work for you. If tidy drawers are not a priority for you, then it might not be the best idea to get really pretty drawers, that highlight your mess. Then again, if it’s the type that having them will motivate you to keep things neat and tidy, then go for it!
Another really helpful part about designing online first, is that once you design it, you can actually check if all the items in your closet are in stock in IKEA. Potentially saving yourself a morning of going there, just to find out you need to come back next week.
Have a wonderful day and enjoy shopping (and pro-tip for my fellow Israelis…if you have time whilst you're in IKEA, their croissants are delicious 😋),
