Turning IKEA into Custom Couture
Ah, the humble IKEA furniture – a staple for anyone trying to furnish their home on a budget. But what if I told you that with a little creativity and elbow grease, you could transform that basic IKEA piece into something truly extraordinary? That’s exactly what Erin Kestenbaum, a talented interior designer, set out to do with her master closet renovation.
You see, Erin had this vision of the perfect custom closet – one that oozed high-end style and sophistication. But as a budget-conscious homeowner, she knew hiring a professional closet company was simply not in the cards. So, she turned to the ever-reliable IKEA Pax system as her blank canvas, and boy, did she work some magic.
Hacking the IKEA Pax
When Erin first started dreaming up her closet makeover, she became enamored with the custom blue cabinetry she had spotted in another designer’s space. “I absolutely adored the blue custom cabinetry and decided I was going to figure out a way to get a similar look in my own house with a non-custom budget,” she recalls.
Initially, Erin and her husband, Cory, thought they would have to build the cabinetry from scratch. But reality quickly set in. “Cory brought me back to the truth that 1) we’d never built a cabinet in our lives, let alone lots of drawers, shelves, and boxes, and 2) the cabinetry would take forever and would make this room impossible to accomplish,” Erin explains.
That’s when the IKEA Pax system came into the picture. Erin had heard that many people had successfully “hacked” the Pax or IKEA Billy systems to create a built-in look, and she was determined to take it to the next level.
As Erin discovered, the key was in the customization. While others had hidden the Pax drawers with doors, Erin had a different vision – one where the drawers were the stars of the show. “The drawer fronts were critical to my vision,” she says. “The IKEA Pax drawers look very modular and modern to me, making them stick out like a sore thumb in our 1940s home.”
A Closet Fit for a Queen (or King)
Erin and Cory set out to transform their modest closet into a true showstopper. And let me tell you, the end result is nothing short of breathtaking. From the custom-built drawer fronts to the recessed lighting and the stunning blue-green paint color, this closet is the stuff of design dreams.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Erin admits that the project was a massive undertaking, filled with countless details and steps. “This is where the Pax Planning tool on the IKEA website comes in handy,” she explains. “We cataloged how much space we each needed for our clothes – high, medium, low, and storage type by clothing category – in a spreadsheet and then referenced it as we created each of our sides of the closet.”
Careful planning and organization were key, as Erin and Cory had to navigate the challenges of their 8-foot ceilings and the need to build the units directly in the room. But with a laser level, some clever problem-solving, and a whole lot of elbow grease, they managed to create a custom closet that looks like it was plucked straight out of a high-end design magazine.
Elevating the Ordinary
One of the most impressive aspects of Erin’s IKEA hack is the way she elevated the ordinary. By adding custom details like recessed lighting, wood trim, and painted drawer fronts, she transformed the basic Pax system into a truly bespoke piece of furniture.
“We tried to be as detailed as possible in the below steps so I’m going to give a disclaimer that this post is massive,” Erin warns. And she’s not kidding – the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail is truly astounding.
From installing baseboards and crown molding to adding custom wood trim and drawer fronts, Erin and Cory left no stone unturned. They even went so far as to wallpaper the back of the units to hide the unsightly seam that’s a telltale sign of the IKEA Pax system.
As Erin explains, “It’s a small detail that you may not notice, but it’s one of those things that you certainly would have noticed had it not been installed.”
The Importance of Customization
Erin’s IKEA hack is a testament to the power of customization. By taking a relatively inexpensive and basic piece of furniture and transforming it into something truly bespoke, she has elevated the ordinary and created a closet that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
But the benefits of customization go beyond just the visual appeal. As Erin points out, “We cataloged how much space we each needed for our clothes – high, medium, low, and storage type by clothing category – in a spreadsheet and then referenced it as we created each of our sides of the closet.”
This level of personalization ensures that the closet is tailored to their specific needs, maximizing the available space and storage. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want a closet that’s been designed just for them?
The Final Reveal
When all was said and done, Erin and Cory’s IKEA Pax hack was a resounding success. The finished product is a stunning display of what can be achieved with a little creativity, elbow grease, and a willingness to think outside the box.
From the moody blue-green paint color to the custom-built drawer fronts and recessed lighting, every detail of this closet exudes sophistication and style. And the best part? It was all done on a budget, proving that you don’t have to break the bank to create a high-end look.
So, the next time you find yourself browsing the IKEA aisles, remember Erin’s story. Because with a little imagination and a lot of determination, you too can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Who knows, you might just end up with a closet fit for a queen (or king)!
And if you’re feeling inspired to tackle your own bespoke furniture project, be sure to check out Unfinished Furniture – your one-stop shop for all the customization supplies and guidance you’ll need to elevate your ordinary into the extraordinary.
