*This post is part of a partnership with Plank.
When we bought our new home, the plan was to get bespoke built-in wardrobes made for the spare bedroom.
However, when the previous owners left their IKEA PAX wardrobes, we decided to create our own for under £100!
You will need:
- IKEA PAX wardrobes
- 18mm MDF sheets (x2)
- Timber (x3)
- Sandpaper
- Wood filler
- Caulk
- Paint
- Plank STACK handles
Tools:
- Stanley knife
- Measuring tape
- Saw / Jigsaw
- Spirit level
- Screws
- Drill with wood drill part
- Paint brushes & mini rollers
Framework
To begin with, we removed the skirting board on the back wall and marked out the size of the wardrobes on the floor.
We cut and removed the carpet from this space, and built a timber base to raise and place the wardrobe on.
The built-in look
To create the built-in look, we used MDF to box off the empty spaces above, below and to the sides of the wardrobes. We bought two sheets of 18mm MDF, and cut down to size for each of these sections.
We removed the existing IKEA handles, and then caulked and wood-filled any holes and gaps.
Prime & paint
Once the wood fill was sanded back, we primed the wardrobes with Zinsser B-I-N primer. We’ve used this primer previously when we painted our IKEA kitchen, and it’s a must-have when painting on glossy surfaces.
However, there are two things I’d recommend when using this primer. First of all, you have to work fast with it (really fast!) otherwise it can go quite nasty. Secondly, use a brush to coat any inset panels (as a roller will not reach these) and then use a sponge foam mini roller to coat the remainder of the door. Avoid using any fur rollers as the primer will pull the fur off and go over all your lovely doors – not a good look!
We painted the wardrobes in Lick White 06 {pr product} to match the walls, emphasising the ‘built-in’ look.
Handles
As we’d chosen a neutral colour for the wardrobes, I wanted to make a statement with new door handles. We went with STACK T-bar handles in brass from Plank {pr products}. The detailing on these handles is gorgeous and they immediately give a more high-end feel to our wardrobes!
From their London HQ, Plank design stylish hardware products, including handles, hooks and taps, in a range of high quality finishes. Check out their inspiration gallery for your next project!
And voila… we have our lovely built-in wardrobes on a budget!
What do you guys think? Is it something you would try yourselves?
The Comments
Julia Parsons
These look great, how did you fix the top panel between the ceiling and wardrobe please?
Meg Monde
Julia ParsonsThank you! You can also add timber framework on top of the wardrobe to secure the mdf panel x