A small, organized walk-in closet with shelves and hanging clothes on both sides. An IKEA full-length mirror leans against the back wall, and a round stool with a red cushion is positioned on a white rug in the center.
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Small Walk-In Closet PAX Big Storage

ByLisa
32 Comments

Guess who has a new closet? Yep. It’s me!!! And I couldn’t be more excited!!! I have been waiting and dreaming about this day for far too long, not to mention living through the crazy chaos of moving out of our room and my closet for five months! I think we can all agree, having a small walk-in closet is definitely a bummer, but having no closet is even worse. But that is no longer a problem with my IKEA PAX Small Walk-in Closet! So are you ready for this? Here she is!A well-organized IKEA walk-in closet features neatly arranged clothes, shoes, and accessories. The montage includes racks with colorful garments, shelves of shoes, and a collection of sunglasses. A red chair and mirror are visible in the background.A narrow IKEA walk-in closet features white shelves and hanging clothes, with a full-length mirror at the end. A small round stool with a brown seat and a white fluffy rug grace the center. The space is brightly lit with ceiling lights.

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So lets talk about where we started. If you missed the original plans, you can catch up on that in my master suite closet post. This closet was just not functional before. It was always messy because it had poorly thought out storage (that wasn’t me) and it didn’t have much to offer with shallow depths on each side of the doorway. I’m not sure if you noticed, but all the hangers in there are kids hangers because adult hangers were too wide and blocked the doorway. Um yea. It was bad. A well-organized walk-in closet featuring hanging clothes, boots, and neatly arranged bags and accessories. Shelves on the sides hold shoes and purses, while a purple backpack rests on the floor.I came up with a solution to solve all of those woes by moving the doorway over, making one side deeper to allow for real hangers. If you are in the Denver area and need some kids hangers, let me know, I have about 150 that I no longer need. Haha! This is how I reconfigured the space.

Diagram of an original bathroom layout featuring a shower, toilet, vanity, half wall, and closet. Includes measurements, an area labeled "Extra Space Hidden Behind Shower," and a "Doorway w/ Full Wall" next to the closet. Floor plan of a bathroom labeled "New Layout" featuring a shower with a seat, a toilet, a vanity with double sinks, and a closet. Measurements are shown: closet 61.5" x 59.5", with sections marked 14" and 23".

With the new layout, I was able to design an AMAZINGLY functional closet with the PAX closet system from Ikea. And the best part is, it was totally normal person affordable! If you recall, I looked into some custom options that were pretty pricey and didn’t offer much bang for the buck. I am happy to share this came in at just less than $1,000! And it Pax a lot of storage. 🙂 I have 150 hangers in here and 68 pairs of shoes! Can you believe that?!?! Here is a closer look.A small, organized walk-in closet with shelves and hanging clothes on both sides. An IKEA full-length mirror leans against the back wall, and a round stool with a red cushion is positioned on a white rug in the center.A neatly organized walk-in shoe closet reveals various styles. IKEA shelves display sneakers, high heels, wedges, and flats in different colors and materials. The well-lit space highlights every detail of the collection.

One of the greatest parts about this system is how customizable it is! I completely tailored it to my needs. One of my biggest challenges before was my need for shoe storage. Since each Pax unit is sold in two different depths and three widths, I chose to use the shallower version for my shoes on the back, right corner of the closet. Ikea does sell special shoe drawers and shelves, but I was trying to maximize the number I could fit. After some good old math, I determined the normal shelves allowed me the largest capacity.A neatly organized shelf filled with various women's shoes, including high heels, sandals, and wedges in different colors and styles. The shoes are arranged in rows on four shelves inside a white IKEA closet unit. A neatly organized IKEA shoe rack showcasing various styles of boots and shoes enhances any walk-in closet. The top shelf features short boots and slippers, while the bottom shelf displays tall boots in different shades of brown and black. A collection of various women's high heel shoes is neatly arranged on white shelves in a stylish walk-in closet. The shoes, reminiscent of elegant IKEA design, come in different colors and styles, including black, beige, and patterned designs.

Another big issue with my old closet was folded items, like sweaters. I had some modular cubies before, but they were always a mess and the item I wanted was always on the bottom. And if I didn’t stack them just right, they wouldn’t fit or they would topple over. Not to mention how much I loathed putting my clothes away because it was such a pain to play tetris every time. To fix this problem I used a shallow Pax frame with 14 shelves. Because I spaced the shelves very close together, each shelf can only hold about four items, which makes finding clothes and putting them away much easier!A well-organized IKEA closet features shelves filled with neatly folded clothes and rows of shoes. A large mirror stands to the left, while a small red stool is placed in front. Overhead storage boxes are lined up on top, completing this efficient walk-in space.A spacious walk-in closet with neatly folded sweaters in an array of colors like grey, beige, orange, pink, and turquoise, all perfectly organized on sleek white IKEA shelves.

Now lets talk about hanging clothes. I used two deeper Pax units side by side for my hanging clothes. Most of my hanging clothes are not that long, probably because I am not that tall 🙂 So I could easily divide the left front unit into double hanging storage. The back left unit houses all of my dresses, some of which are longer, so I used a subdivider to make a small section for short hanging items while still leaving tall space above it and to the right of it for longer items.A walk-in closet features neatly arranged colorful clothing, such as shirts, dresses, and blouses on hangers. An IKEA-inspired drawer below houses sunglasses, while another section with more garments is visible on the right.

With this makeover, I also decided to switch to wooden hangers. Since I was ditching all my child sized hangers, I figured now was the time. I did consider the skinny velvet hangers, but turned them down for one big reason. The wooden hangers create an automatic spacing between clothes which doesn’t allow you to overcrowd the closet. I was able to fit 150 of these hangers in here, so I figure if I run out of space, it’s probably time to donate some stuff 🙂A row of identical white IKEA hangers is neatly aligned on a metal rod inside a walk-in closet, conveying a sense of order and organization.

Now lets get to my favorite part, the accessory drawers! I seriously LOVE these!!! I knew from the moment I saw them I needed them in my life. Confession. Like shoes, I have a small addiction to sunglasses and jewelry. Previously, the location of my sunglasses was regularly unknown because they didn’t have a real home. But now I have this!In a well-organized IKEA walk-in closet, a collection of aviator sunglasses with various lens tints rests neatly in a drawer. A turquoise beaded necklace adds a vibrant touch of color to the stylish scene.A walk-in closet reveals a drawer with organized compartments displaying sunglasses, necklaces, bracelets, and an IKEA-patterned glasses case. The drawer is lined with dark fabric, neatly arranging the accessories in individual sections.

Earrings. So I have had my ears pierced since I was five. And not because my mom made me, but because I BEGGED and cried when she said no. Then I got a second hole some time in middle school. I still have both. One might say I have a thing for earrings. In my old closet they resided in one of four hanging plastic dividers. Which totally worked, but it was hard to find things when I was in a hurry, which is almost all the time. Now, I have three jewelry drawers! One for gold earrings, one for silver earrings, and one for bracelets and watches. And my heart does the happy dance!Open the closet drawer with organized accessories on black velvet. The top section holds sunglasses, while the middle sections display various earrings. In this IKEA-inspired setup, the bottom sections contain rings, bracelets, and watches, creating a visually appealing walk-in experience. A drawer in an IKEA-inspired walk-in closet, lined with black fabric, displays an assortment of earrings. Various styles include hoops, studs, and dangling designs adorned with gemstones and metal accents in vibrant colors like green, orange, and blue, all neatly organized into compartments. A neatly organized IKEA jewelry drawer displays various pieces, including rings, bracelets, earrings, and brooches on a dark, compartmentalized velvet liner. Nestled within a walk-in closet, the collection showcases a variety of colors and designs with intricate details and craftsmanship. A neatly organized jewelry drawer inside the IKEA walk-in closet features various accessories, including bracelets, watches, earrings, and rings. Items are arranged in distinct sections on a soft, dark fabric for easy viewing and access.

And I was even able to fit a slide out belt hanger! I never really had an accessible place for belts before, but now I do!A neatly organized IKEA closet featuring hanging clothes, a pull-out rack with belts, and a white fuzzy rug on the floor. This walk-in design is clean and modern, with white shelves contrasting against dark floor tiles.

So now do you want your own custom Ikea closet? Here is the shopping list from my closet.

IKEA PAX Small Walk-in Closet Breakdown

Shoe Pax Unit
Shelves For Shoe Unit – 7
Folded Clothes Pax Unit
Shelves For Folded Clothes – 14
Hanging Clothes Pax Units – 2
Clothes Rail – 2
Subdivider for Pax Unit
Clothes Rail for Subdivider
Accessory Drawer
Glass Shelf for Accessory Drawer
Jewelry Drawers – 3
Wooden Hangers – 20
Belt Hanger
Mirror
Stool
Fur Rug
Storage Bins
Light Fixture – we already had this

I have to say, this new configuration is already paying dividends! I now know where everything is and am so much more motivated to put things back in their place 🙂A neatly organized IKEA closet showcases folded clothes on shelves, an array of shirts hanging, and a drawer displaying several sunglasses. This walk-in closet features a white color scheme with multiple compartments for effortless organization.The walk-in closet, reminiscent of an IKEA display, boasts white shelves with hanging clothes, folded items, and storage boxes. A full-length mirror graces the wall beside a small stool with a brown cushion resting on a plush white rug.A beautifully arranged walk-in closet boasts white IKEA shelves, storing an array of colored sweaters, neatly folded clothes, and a curated collection of shoes and boots. Labeled boxes adorn the top shelf, while a mirror reflects the tidy space. A small, round IKEA stool with a red cushion and white legs sits on a fluffy white rug in the walk-in closet. The space boasts organized shelves filled with clothes and shoes, complemented by a mirror on the back wall.A well-organized IKEA walk-in closet features shelves brimming with folded sweaters and multiple rows of shoes, from boots to heels. A tall mirror leans against the white wall, perfectly paired with a charming red stool.A neatly organized IKEA walk-in closet features folded shirts on shelves, sunglasses displayed in pull-out drawers, and hangers holding various clothes. A mirror is visible on the right.A walk-in closet houses a meticulously organized drawer with several pairs of sunglasses featuring reflective lenses. Above them, clothes and a turquoise beaded necklace add a touch of charm, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of an IKEA showroom.An IKEA jewelry organizer features multiple trays for accessories like rings, bracelets, sunglasses, and earrings. Perfectly suited for a walk-in closet, it keeps items neatly arranged in dark fabric-lined compartments. A neatly organized IKEA walk-in closet features white shelves displaying an array of shoes, from high heels to sneakers. The footwear is arranged in rows, showcasing diverse styles and colors. A door in the background leads to another area.This IKEA-inspired walk-in closet features sleek white shelves and clothes neatly hanging on both sides. A full-length mirror graces the far end, while a small red cushioned stool rests on a plush white fur rug beneath a stylish ceiling light.This walk-in closet is only 25 sqft! Can you believe I fit this much into 25 sqft?! This small walk-in closet really PAX a lot in 🙂

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Experience a compact walk-in closet transformation with the IKEA PAX system, showcasing organized shelves of folded clothes, neatly hung shirts, and spacious drawers. A tall mirror reflects the sleek design while a small wooden stool adds charm to the corner of this efficient IKEA walk-in.

This post, Small Walk-In Closet PAX Big Storage, appeared first on Garrison Street Design Studio.

32 Comments

  1. Awesome, Lisa! And so good to see details about the PAX system. I desperately need to spruce up my kids’ closets but I just can’t bring myself to invest in pricey closet organization systems right now. This seems like a great option — one that’s functional, flexible, AND pretty inexpensive. Thanks for the inspo!

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Kate! I know, some closet systems are my budget for several rooms! It was a relief to be able to do so much with a realistic budget. So far I am very happy with the PAX system 😋 And PS. This was NOT a sponsored post 😉

      Reply

  2. Wow! I can’t believe how much you fit into the space. This leaves me completely envious 🙂 but also inspired as my closet is in desperate need of some organization.

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Shelley! You are so sweet! This is definitely something that was on the list for a long time! Now I just wish I had done it sooner. If you decide to go with the PAX, I’d be happy to answer any questions 🙂

      Reply

    1. I designed my closet on my own, but they do have a PAX planning tool on the website where you can in put your dimensions and add the different components and you can see what it will look like. It also generates a shopping list for you based on your selections and tells you if they are in stock at your store which is SO helpful! I am honestly not sure if they offer closet design services there or not. Since I enjoy this sort of planning I always do it on my own. I hope that helps! 😊

      Reply

  5. One of the very best small walkin closet designs I’ve seen! Thanks for sharing! Also it’s so wonderful to see the list of pieces you bought to design it.

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  6. I’ve recently installed a PAX system. Thank you for sharing YOUR personalized PAX. It really helps the normal human figure things out, outside the store. I love what you’ve done and it is really inspiring.

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words Katie! Hearing that really does mean the WORLD to me 🙂 I honestly believe that everyone can have an amazing home without spending a fortune and I love sharing the affordable ways I have done that! I am so happy I could help you with your closet 😉

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much! On the left side I used two 29.5 units and on the right side I used one 19.5 and one 39.5.

      Reply

  9. Thank you for posting this. I am in the process for updating my closet and was thinking of using the PAX system, but trying to plan all the units I was getting a little overwhelmed. You explained everything so clearly I think I am now ready to start.

    Reply

    1. I am so glad you found it helpful! IKEA definitely has a lot of options and it can be intimidating, but I am SO happy with the PAX and how much I can neatly store in my closet now! Best of luck to you with your closet design 😉

      Reply

  12. Amazing use of space!! I have a similar size closet in need of a Pax makeover. Thanks for sharing! Your 25″ walkway dimension is helping me make some decisions!

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  13. So glad I landed on this! This is very similar is size to the closet in our new house. I can’t wait to get organized! Can I ask how much it cost in total?

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  14. This mensure (59,5” and 61,5”) is in inch?
    Sorry I am not sure, I think I have the same space that you have. Thanks in advance

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  15. Hi Lisa,
    Great use of space, it looks like you’ve used every possible inch! Now that you have lived with it for a few years would you change anything? Hanging space? Drawers? Can you actually get dressed in the closet or is the space too tight? My closet is about the same measurement and I will also have to move the door over a bit to accommodate the deeper Pax unit. Right now I am trying to decide what combination of frames I should get to store the clothes that I have but your post has helped tremendously to see the possibilities! Also your outdoor sofa tutorial is brilliant – can’t wait to get started on that project! ~Sharon

    Reply

    1. Thank you Sharon! So far I have not wanted to change anything, but I have added an extra shelf for more shoes 😋 The beauty of the PAX is you can customize it to your needs right now and add or subtract things as your needs change. I have dressers in the bedroom so drawers were not a priority in the closet except for accessories. Working from home has definitely impacted my wardrobe needs, but I haven’t purged my dress clothes just yet. I can get dressed in here and sometimes do. I hope that helps 😉

      Reply

  16. Can you tell me the dimensions of your closet? Mine is a similar size and I am struggling with the pax planner! Thanks so much!!

    Reply

  17. This post was so helpful. I’m getting ready to renovate and have been trying to figure out my closet. The PAX system has always intimidated me but the way you explained everything and your pictures made it much less intimidating. Everything clicked. I used your design as a guide and planned out my 6’x 6’ closet! Can’t wait! Thank you for explaining it all the way you did!

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Ashley! This makes me so happy to hear and I am excited for you! The PAX really is a great closet system and so customizable. Best of luck with your new closet 😉

      Reply

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