A modern closet makeover features patterned storage bins and clothing hanging on racks. The room includes a large leafy plant, abstract wall art with geometric shapes, and a partially visible television. The DIY decor blends textures with neutral colors for a stylish finish.
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DIY Reach in Closet Makeover Reveal with IKEA Kallax

ByLisa

Who is ready to get organized? If you know me at all you know that organization is a must in my life because for me, mess equals stress. While this is not my first time tackling a closet, it was my first time tackling a guest room closet and I set out to find an affordable option that met my needs while still being easy to maintain and keep organized. The good news is I found a great way to get an organized closet with this IKEA hack. So let me walk you through how I did this DIY Reach in Closet Makeover with IKEA Kallax. Trust me, you are going to want to try this! 

A closet makeover showcases an IKEA Kallax unit in the center, filled with patterned baskets. Clothes hang on both sides, featuring jeans and shirts. A woven basket with a plant rests on the dark wood floor, completing this DIY transformation.

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Guest Room IKEA Kallax Closet Makeover 

This closet makeover was a long time coming! Originally this closet had some awkwardly placed wire shelving which I removed years ago. It also had the standard builder grade top shelf and closet rod. This was fine for a while but honestly wasted a ton of space. Hanging space was limited and there wasn’t anywhere to put small items, let alone organize them. So this closet became a dumping ground for a lot of random items I really needed to purge and donate. This is what the closet looked like before I started this project. 

A cluttered closet awaits a DIY makeover, with clothes on hangers, boots, and an ironing board with a floral cover. An iron perches on a shelf while colorful bags and boxes occupy the space above. A shoe rack brims with footwear, ready for transformation.

A closet makeover showcases neatly folded blankets, pillows, and hangers organizing clothing. An ironing board with a floral pattern leans against the wall. Completing this DIY transformation, a padded black chair with patterned cushions is positioned in front of the closet.

Choosing a Closet System 

While this is not my first closet transformation, it was definitely a different approach since it is a guest room closet. I have tackled my small walk-in closet, Barry’s reach in closet, the linen closet, and the coat closet. For each custom closet I used IKEA hacks! Time after time I come back to IKEA because of the affordability. 

If you have ever priced a whole closet system you know they are normally thousands of dollars and some of the more affordable options at The Container Store are still wire shelves despite the hefty price tag. When I priced the master closet makeover these expensive wire options actually took storage away because they were not fully customizable. 

I have also tried out modular closet systems from other big box retailers. In fact, before my closet makeover I had several shelving units and shoe shelves that moved into this closet after my upgrade. While they were a temporary solution, they lacked the quality I was really after and didn’t truly solve my biggest organization problems.  

If you are working on designing your dream closet, check out my tips here. The biggest piece of advice I have no matter what closet you are tackling is do not lie to yourself about your specific needs. Otherwise you will just end up with a more expensive unorganized closet. 

IKEA Closet Options

IKEA has several great closet options. Their most popular is the PAX units. I have used these twice now and have zero regrets! They are a great option and are VERY customizable but they can add up quickly. Since this particular closet is in the guest room and is really just overflow storage, I couldn’t justify spending the money on the IKEA Pax system here. However, I did use the Pax in my closet and Barry’s. You can also use the Pax planner to build your closet and make a shopping list before you go to the store. You can even place an online order for pickup! 

The next option is the Aurdal system. This is a newer option and little less expensive than the Pax system. I actually considered going this route but the center towers would only work if I used shelves and no drawers. Since I was really lacking storage for smaller items, I didn’t feel like that fit my needs. However I did decide to use the expandable closet rods from this system. 

The third option at IKEA is the Boaxel system. This is a wall mounted system very similar to Elfa at the Container store but much more affordable. I personally wanted a more custom built in look and did not consider this one at all. 

The last option at IKEA is the custom hack. I have gone this route several times, once on my linen closet and once on my coat closet when I reconfigured the existing shelves and hanging space and used the Trofast for small storage. I did consider the Trofast again but drawers in this closet were not the right fit for this closet configuration. But there are hundreds of products at IKEA that can solve your organizational needs with a little bit of creativity. 

Why I chose IKEA Kallax

As I mentioned above, I was up against a few obstacles with this closet. Let me explain. 

This is a fairly average reach in closet measuring  80 1/2 inches wide, 23 3/4 inches deep and 92 1/2 inches tall with a door opening of 58×80 inches. One of the biggest issues with this closet was the amount of space being wasted between the hanging clothes and the floor and the top of the closet. Another issue was there wasn’t a good place for smaller items. Since this is a guest closet, not a lot of clothes are actually stored in here, but rather smaller random items. 

Another issue was the “wings” on the sides. In order to allow clearance to actually get items in and out, the depth of any shelving system was limited and I also had to work around the sliding closet doors. If your closet has French doors, you have a little more freedom with options because you don’t have to worry about clearing each side of the door opening like I do. 

Because of all of this I decided two stacked Kallax units with storage bins would be the best option in the middle and I chose to do three sections of hanging clothes. On the left side of the closet I did two rows of shorter hanging and on the right side I did one row for long hanging clothes.  

A tidy closet, transformed by a recent DIY makeover, features patterned storage boxes and hanging clothes revealed by sliding doors. The room boasts a dark wood floor, a decorative rug, a green plant on the floor, and framed art on the walls.

This solution allows plenty of hanging space but still gives me ample room for other items on the shelves or in the bins. I can use the open shelves for folded clothes, hats, purses, or even shoe storage. Or I can use the bins for really anything! These are the same bins I used in the linen closet for sheets and are very spacious! They would be perfect for PJs, socks, underwear, swim suits, small purses, gym clothes, or even scarfs. 

You could also use these bins for things other than clothes. They could be used for toy storage, games, or books, for kids’ closets. If you have teenagers they would work well for beauty products, hair tools, or other toiletries. They would also be great for craft supplies if you are doing a closet in a flex room or office. No matter what type of closet you are doing, the Kallax and Drona bins offer so much storage space!  

DIY Kallax Reach In Closet Material List 

1 Eight Cube Kallax Unit
1 Four Cube Kallax Unit
3 Aurdal Expandable Closet Rods
10 Drona Storage Bins
3 Pine Project Panels
1 1x4x8 Pine Board
Corner Clamps
Drill & Driver
Miter Saw
Sander
Mini Circular Saw
Nail Gun
Clamps
Tape Measure
3/4 inch screws
Drywall Anchors
1 5/8 Trim Screws
Paint

Step 1 – Gather your materials

The first thing I did was gather all my materials. I highly suggest you do this before you demo your existing closet setup in case any of the materials are out of stock. If you do not live close to an IKEA, I also recommend you place an online order for pickup. This way you do not make any unnecessary trips to your store. Trust me, I have learned this the hard way. The first four items are from IKEA and the rest I either already had on hand or I picked up at my local Home Depot. 

Step 2 – Clear out the current closet 

Before you can get started on your new closet makeover you will need to clear out the existing closet. This was my least favorite part because I started with a very messy closet and it stressed me out! 

A vacant closet with a white interior and a single metal rod for hanging clothes awaits a DIY makeover. The floor is dark wood, and a section of a wall-mounted TV is visible on the left, complemented by a narrow strip of vertical wood paneling.

Step 3 – Demo the whole thing 

Before you get too excited about demo day, keep in mind this is not HGTV and you actually have to clean up the mess you make, haha! You can recycle some of the wood you are taking out to save money as well. I was careful not damage the existing shelf at the top of the closet because I have plans to use this piece of wood on a future project. I also knew I would likely be able to reuse the pine boards the shelf was sitting on as supports for the new closet rods. So make sure you salvage some of that scrap wood. 

The empty closet, primed for a DIY makeover, features unfinished walls and a step ladder with a paint can poised on top. A black cloth drapes the floor, evoking the excitement of ongoing renovations.

Step 4 – Paint and patch the walls

Once the entire space is cleared out you will likely have holes to patch and areas that are not painted. While this step isn’t required, I think it’s a good idea. The way I see it is, I don’t want a brand new closet with holes in the walls and a bad paint job. So I put in the extra effort and patched the holes and gave the entire closet a fresh coat of paint. I used leftover paint I had on hand and painted the walls and ceiling. You could also use white paint or a bold wallpaper but I was trying use up items I already had.

A heart shape is painted on a wall with a dark border, hinting at the start of a closet makeover. A ladder stands in front, with a paintbrush on one of the steps and a black cloth covering the floor below.

Step 5 – Assemble IKEA Kallax units

Next you will need to assemble the IKEA Kallax units. This took about an hour to put both of them together. I assembled these in front of my first Kallax hack in the bunk room where I have more floor space. 

A wooden bookshelf with nine open compartments stands in a room transformed by a closet makeover. Behind it, a white console table with a wooden front holds various decor items. The space, invigorated by DIY touches, features a textured rug, a lamp, and decorative plants.

Step 6 – Cut the wood for the outside box

I used three pine 1x16x8s to create a box to go around the Kallax units. I did this because the Kallax units are hollow on the inside and I didn’t think they would be able to hold the weight of the closet rods on their own.

A large wooden board leaning against a garage wall, surrounded by various materials and tools for a closet makeover DIY project. The wall displays a ladder, spray paint art, and other construction items. The floor features painted boards and a yellow caution sign.

I cut the boards down to size with my mini circular saw and a scrap 2×4 as a guide. 

A circular saw rests atop wooden boards clamped to a workbench in a garage, ready for the next DIY project. The garage is filled with various tools and equipment as sunlight illuminates the setup, perfect for planning a closet makeover.

Step 7 – Sand the wood

After cutting my pieces down I used my orbital sander to smooth out all the edges and surfaces.

A DeWalt orbital sander rests on a wooden plank, ready for your closet makeover DIY project. The black and yellow tool, with its visible branding, is positioned on a smooth, light-colored surface. Stacks of wood and a stone wall provide the perfect backdrop for your home renovation journey.

Step 8 – Paint the wood

I was going for a two tone look for my closet so I painted the pieces for the outside box white. 

A garage workshop with wooden workbenches holding large white boards, perfect for closet makeover projects. Shelving units brimming with tools and supplies stand ready for any DIY endeavor. A partially open garage door bathes the space in natural light, setting the stage for creativity.

Step 9 – Assemble the box

I am not going to lie, I made a large miss calculation on this part. I fully assembled the box and then realized it was too tall to make the turn to fit in the room. So I had to disassemble it in the upstairs hallway and then assemble it in place in the closet. Make sure you measure before you start this step. If you have any tight corners your box cannot be taller than the opening of the door to the room or the closet. If it is you will need to build it in place as I did. 

Because I built the box in the garage, I will show you what that looked like. This did help when I had to build it in place because all of the holes were pre-drilled. 

A partially assembled wooden rectangular frame, destined for a closet makeover, is secured with red and blue clamps in a garage. Various tools and materials, essential for this DIY project, are visible in the background, including panels and a broom.

I started off by laying out the box the Kallax would sit in. I used my corner clamps to make it square and my long clamps to keep the box tight while I pre-drilled and screwed the box together. Because this is thinner wood I used some trim screws I had on hand from another project. 

A wooden box frame is being assembled on a concrete floor for a DIY closet makeover. Red and blue clamps secure the corners and edges, holding the pieces together tightly. Small bits of sawdust speckle the area around the box.

Step 10 – Installing the Closet Organizer 

If you have the same type of reach in closet I do, the Kallax units must be installed in the middle otherwise you will not be able to add bins because they will not clear the wings on the side of the closet. To make sure I positioned mine in the middle, I used my center scale tape measure and marked the center of the closet opening with a piece of tape on the floor. 

A wooden bookshelf with eight compartments stands on a dark hardwood floor, part of a closet makeover. A yellow measuring tape is laid out in front, showcasing measurements for this DIY project. A small blue tape mark is visible on the floor at the base of the bookshelf.

Then I placed the bottom base of the outer box on the floor and brought in the Kallax units and stacked them. The rest of the box was then built around the Kallax units.

A tall, light wooden bookshelf with multiple square compartments rests against a dark wall, reminiscent of a DIY closet makeover. The bookshelf's simple, modern design and its empty shelves invite creativity and personalization.

Step 11 – Anchor the Kallax to the wall 

Each Kallax unit comes with brackets so you can anchor them to the wall. I highly recommend you do this to prevent the units from tipping over. Because I did not have any wall studs where these needed to go, I used drywall anchors and screws to attach two brackets to the wall for each Kallax unit. 

The image shows the interior corner of a wooden cabinet, reminiscent of a DIY closet makeover. A metal bracket is attached to the top corner, securing the panel. The walls boast a textured gray finish, while the wood has a light finish.

Step 12 – Installing the closet Rods

Unfortunately the sides of my closet walls did not have studs where I needed them and I had to add supports for the closet rods. I used the pine pieces of wood I pulled out of the closet when I demoed it. 

I cut three pieces down to the size of the depth of the closet. I did this with my miter saw. 

A Ryobi mitre saw is set up on a workbench, ready to bring your closet makeover DIY to life. A piece of wood rests under the blade, measured precisely with a tape laid along it. Various tools and equipment are scattered in the background, each poised to play its part in your project.

Then I painted them the same color as the closet walls so they would blend in. 

Two wooden boards on a worktable are painted taupe, lying parallel on wooden supports. As part of a closet makeover DIY project, a paint tray with taupe paint and a roller sits to the right, next to a rubber mallet. The background features a garage door.

I attached them to the studs with my nail gun and two inch brad nails. I nailed them in each corner where I knew they would hit the studs in the closet framing and in the middle where the other stud was. Note, for this to hold, it must go into studs. 

A small, empty closet with a wooden frame and open shelving unit on the right awaits your DIY touch. The wall on the left is adorned with green foliage, offering inspiration for a closet makeover. A yellow and black tape measure rests on the shelf, ready to help you transform the space.

Then I attached each of the adjustable closet rods to the box around the Kallax unit and into the side supports of the closet. These particular closet rods are adjustable and were the perfect solution for this closet at an affordable price.  

A wooden closet organizer with multiple open shelves is installed in a partially open closet, showcasing a stunning DIY closet makeover. The floor is wooden, and there is a section of green, plant-like wall decoration on the left.

Step 13 – Add the bins 

IKEA makes storage bins that are specifically designed to go inside the Kallax cubbies. These are much larger than ordinary bins and hold a lot! I used them in the linen closet and absolutely love them! So naturally I decided to use them again. They come in several different colors but this black and white pattern is my favorite. 

A closet makeover showcases sliding doors with a black and white geometric pattern. The stylish update reveals clothing inside, like a blue striped shirt and denim fabric, all framed by light wood for that perfect DIY touch.

Step 14 – Enjoy!

Sit back and enjoy your new custom closet and all the storage solutions it has to offer! When I went to fill up all my bins I was actually surprised at how much extra space I had. I actually have four bins that are empty! 

A neatly organized closet makeover features hanging clothes on each side and a central shelving unit filled with matching patterned storage bins. A potted plant and a woven basket are placed on the dark wooden floor, showcasing the DIY transformation's charming touch.

What would I do differently? 

Besides measuring the doorway? Haha! I am honestly not sure. I love how this spare room closet turned out and the how much space I gained by utilizing the entire closet. It was an affordable small closet makeover and didn’t take a lot of time to put together. It’s the perfect storage solution for a guest closet, kids’ rooms, or even a primary closet if you are on a budget. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use wood to frame out the Kallax? 

The reason I framed out the Kallax in real wood was so I would have something strong to attach my closet rods to. The inside of an IKEA Kallax is really just cardboard much like a hollow core door, so I was not confident the closet rods would hold without the extra wood. I do not advise skipping the wood as I do not think it will be sturdy enough. This is what the inside of a hollow core door looks like (from another project I did). 

Close-up view of a cut, hollow-core wooden door standing upright on a concrete floor, with wood dust scattered around. A saw tool lies on the floor next to the door, hinting at a closet makeover DIY project. Painted walls and a paint can are visible in the background.

If you do an internet search for inside of IKEA Kallax you will see where others have opened one up and it looks the same. So unless you plan to hang doll clothes, you probably should not skip it. 

Do I need to secure this to the wall? 

Yes! The Kallax pieces need to be secured to the back wall to prevent them from falling or tipping over.  

Did you attach the two Kallax units together?   

No, but you definitely could. Because I secured the both to the wall once they were stacked, I didn’t think it was necessary. You could add a strip of Velcro in between them like I did in the office or glue if you want something more permanent.

Does the Kallax unit have to go in the middle? 

Honestly, this will depend on your closet walls and closet doors. For my closet, the middle was the only place I could put them and still have easy access to pull the storage bins in and out since the side walls extend 11 inches into my opening. Also I needed to make sure the doors would not block part of my access since they are sliding doors and not French doors. 

Can I use one Kallax instead of two?  

Absolutely! I wanted the extra organization bins since I have a lot of small items I store in here so I did two. Just note you may only be able to have two sections for hanging clothes then.

What is the size of this closet?     

My closet is 80 1/2 L x 23 3/4 D x 92 1/2 T with a 58 inch opening. The side wings are 11 inches. 

How much did this cost?     

This cost me $325 before tax. The Kallax units were $148 total. I caught the Drona bins on sale for $4.99 and used 10 of them for a total of $50. The Aurdal closet rods were $10 each for a total of $30. And I spent $96 on the wood panels for the sides.  

Do the Kallax units come in other colors?    

They do! They come in white, dark brown, gray, and the color I used. I liked the look of the natural wood tones with the rest of this room, but you can choose any color you like! 

A modern closet makeover with a sliding door showcases shelves of black and white storage baskets. Hanging clothes include black and white items, adding to the chic aesthetic. Below sits a white laundry basket, while a green potted plant adds vibrancy on the right. Perfect for a DIY enthusiast!.

If you are looking for a cost effective closet solution that has a lot of space, you need to try this diy closet makeover on your own closet! It’s a fairly simple diy project and will leave you with an organized space that is maintainable. 

A modern closet makeover showcases organized shelving with patterned baskets, various hanging clothes, and a woven laundry basket. A before-and-after inset highlights the DIY transformation. The room boasts a white wall, rug, framed art, and a plant for added charm.

And make sure you check out all the behind the scenes on my Instagram story highlight! 

A modern closet makeover showcases neatly arranged clothing on hangers, including dresses and jackets. Adjacent are four shelves with checkered storage bins, a testament to clever DIY organization. A small black handbag rests on the top shelf, while a potted plant adds a touch of greenery in the corner.

Looking for more closet ideas? Check out my other closet makeovers here! 

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A modern closet makeover showcases a wooden organizer with eight patterned baskets on the right and clothing on black hangers to the left. Vertical greenery and abstract art adorn the wall, while a patterned rug enhances the dark wooden floor, adding a DIY touch of style.

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Closet makeover DIY: Transform your space with IKEA Kallax shelves hosting black and white patterned baskets. Clothes hang on either side, topped with decorative items. Framed art graces the adjacent wall, adding a splash of personality.

This post, DIY Reach in Closet Makeover Reveal with IKEA Kallax, appeared first on Garrison Street Design Studio.

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