You know that moment when you open your wardrobe, hoping for closet calm, but all you see is chaos—plastic hangers sticking out, piles of sweaters teetering dangerously, and a color mishmash that just feels wrong? That used to be my “PAX” moment: IKEA’s PAX wardrobe system is super customizable, but the real magic happens when you style it to blend seamlessly into a soft, neutral color palette. Suddenly, your clothes and your mornings look and feel so much calmer. Over the years, I’ve tried a bunch of ways to make my PAX feel both organized and like part of the room—here are my favorite tried-and-tested ideas.
1. Linen-Draped Doors
Styling Tip:
Switching out standard PAX doors for panel doors with linen inserts or even linen curtains changes the whole vibe of your wardrobe wall. It’s especially great if you want a softer look that blends into pale walls, or if your bedroom needs texture.
Picture this:
Tall, clean-lined PAX wardrobe panels with soft beige linen curtains covering the doors. The linen is slightly textured and gently pooled at the floor. Brass handles add a warm accent. The rest of the room features cream carpet and a light oak bench nearby.
Shop the Items:
Why It Works:
The linen absorbs light and just blurs the edges of wardrobe doors, so they feel less like furniture and more like part of the architecture.
Color Palette:
Beige, cream, warm white, light oak, brass
2. Tone-on-Tone Paint
Styling Tip:
Paint your PAX system in the exact color as your walls—think warm taupe, soft greige, or light oatmeal. It’s a favorite for making the system disappear and your space feel curated and calm.
Picture this:
A seamless run of PAX wardrobes painted soft greige, blending into matching walls. Subtle matte black handles provide a gentle contrast. There’s nothing else on the wardrobe wall besides a squashy cream armchair next to it.
Shop the Items:
Swap This With That:
To go more boho, swap the handles for woven rope pulls.
Color Palette:
Greige, warm white, matte black
3. Glass Front Displays
Styling Tip:
For anyone who loves a touch of airy elegance, replace some PAX doors with frosted glass panels. It breaks up the solid block look and softly showcases neatly folded knits in similar neutrals.
Picture this:
Tall wardrobes with two frosted glass doors flanked by taupe panel doors. Inside, folded oatmeal and cream sweaters are visible through the glass. White ceramic storage boxes line one shelf.
Shop the Items:
Styling Mistake to Avoid:
Stick to displaying only neutral, folded pieces—bright colors behind glass kill the soft effect.
Color Palette:
Taupe, milky white, frosted glass
4. Open Shelf Display
Styling Tip:
Break up your PAX run by using an open center section with shelving. Style it with baskets, a stack of linen-covered boxes, and one simple vase to keep it calm—not cluttered.
Picture this:
Centered among closed wardrobes, open white shelves hold two woven seagrass baskets, a small stack of sand-colored linen boxes, and a matte beige ceramic vase with dried pampas.
Shop the Items:
Budget-Friendly Tip:
DIY linen box covers around basic cardboard boxes for a high-end look.
Color Palette:
White, sand, seagrass, beige
5. Fluted Door Panels
Styling Tip:
Paneling your PAX doors with fluted or reeded trims brings instant texture and depth to a soft, neutral scheme. Choose a subtle ivory or pale wood stain for timeless, understated style.
Picture this:
Tall, fluted PAX door panels painted soft ivory with matte nickel pulls. A cream jute floor runner sits in front, and a pale birch stool stands beside the wardrobe.
Shop the Items:
Why It Works:
The vertical lines elongate the room and play with light, making neutrals far from boring.
Color Palette:
Ivory, cream, pale birch
6. Minimal Hardware
Styling Tip:
Handle-free PAX wardrobes highlight clean lines. Opt for push-to-open hardware and keep the surface totally bare for a minimalist, gallery vibe—perfect for peaceful bedrooms.
Picture this:
A long line of matte white, completely handleless wardrobe doors against a pale cream wall. A single sandy wool pouf sits nearby, and wide-plank white oak flooring grounds the look.
Shop the Items:
Styling Mistake to Avoid:
Keep the floors and decor simple—too many accessories kill the minimalist effect.
Color Palette:
Matte white, sand, white oak
7. Soft Wood Accents
Styling Tip:
Pair your PAX in basic white with custom light wood top and side panels. The frame effect softens the entire set, warmifying the white and making it feel built-in.
Picture this:
White PAX wardrobes “boxed out” on the top and sides with light ash wood panels. Thin natural wood handles and a chunky woven beige basket on top add visual interest.
Shop the Items:
Color Palette:
White, ash, beige, natural wood
8. Integrated Vanity Nook
Styling Tip:
Turn a PAX section into a built-in vanity. All you need is a shallow shelf and a small mirror between wardrobe towers. It’s especially lovely in soft palettes with a curved-edge stool and pale finishes.
Picture this:
Between two tall warm-white wardrobes, a small pale marble shelf holds makeup brushes in a sand-glazed cup and a round brass-edged mirror. A cream boucle vanity stool tucks underneath.
Shop the Items:
Seasonal Styling Idea:
Set a single branch of dried eucalyptus in the fall for a cozy accent.
Color Palette:
Warm white, marble, sand, brass, cream
9. Cane Webbing Inserts
Styling Tip:
Install cane webbing panels in your wardrobe doors for major texture with a breezy, vintage feeling. The warm, honey color keeps the look soft but so fresh.
Picture this:
Tall white PAX doors with cane webbing insert panels. Honey-toned wood knobs echo the cane. Beneath, a pair of muted beige linen slippers rests on the pale herringbone floor.
Shop the Items:
Budget-Friendly Tip:
Use peel-and-stick cane panels if you’re not ready to swap doors.
Color Palette:
White, honey, pale oak, beige
10. Cozy Curtain Cover-up
Styling Tip:
If doors feel too bulky or busy, try a ceiling-to-floor curtain across your entire wardrobe run. Choose a dense textured fabric (think oat or mocha linen-blend) for cozy softness.
Picture this:
Wardrobe hidden behind an oatmeal heavy linen-blend curtain on a slim matte black rod. The curtain pools with a soft drape on taupe carpet, and a warm tan jute hamper sits beside.
Shop the Items:
(extra long)
Personal Note:
I used a similar setup in our guest room and it made the tiniest space feel cocooned and polished.
Color Palette:
Oat, taupe, black, tan
11. Mirrored Door Accent
Styling Tip:
A single tall mirrored PAX door among solids bounces light and visually doubles the room, especially in tight spaces painted in warm neutrals.
Picture this:
Three-door PAX wardrobe: two soft stone-color solid doors, one tall foggy mirror door in the center. Next to the wardrobe, a pale grey woven area rug and a chunky knit throw in khaki lie on a bench.
Shop the Items:
Why It Works:
Mirrors open up space and create subtle contrast with even the palest neutrals.
Color Palette:
Stone, foggy mirror, pale grey, khaki
12. Built-In Bench Extension
Styling Tip:
Extend your PAX all the way to the wall and cap the row with a built-in bench finished in the same neutral as the wardrobe. Add a cushy foam top and pretty lumbar pillow for a tranquil corner.
Picture this:
At the end of a stretch of warm white wardrobes, a low built-in bench topped with a taupe linen cushion and an ivory and sand striped lumbar pillow. Under the bench: two pale wicker baskets.
Shop the Items:
Why It Works:
It turns a functional closet edge into a small seating nook—ideal for tying shoes or folding laundry.
Color Palette:
Warm white, taupe, ivory, sand
13. Neutral Wallpapered Backing
Styling Tip:
Line the inside back of open PAX shelves with a subtle grasscloth- or linen-look wallpaper in sand or dove gray. Gives the entire piece gentle depth without stealing attention.
Picture this:
Inside an open white PAX wardrobe, the back wall is covered in sand grasscloth wallpaper. Pale birch hangers display off-white shirts, and a stoneware vase with dried reeds sits on the shelf.
Shop the Items:
Color Palette:
Sand, birch, off-white, stone
14. Floating Shelf Topper
Styling Tip:
To cozy up the top of your PAX, install a floating shelf above the wardrobe in a pale, natural wood. Use it for a few neutral-toned accessories—nothing busy.
Picture this:
Above a bank of ecru PAX wardrobes, a light maple floating shelf displays a stack of two ivory coffee table books, a chunky white ceramic pot, and a sand-colored vase with bunny tails.
Shop the Items:
Seasonal Styling Idea:
Swap bunny tails for bare birch branches in winter, or soft grass in spring.
Color Palette:
Ecru, maple, ivory, sand, white
FAQ
1. Can I paint my PAX wardrobe to match my walls?
Yes—just use a good primer first and a high-quality paint. Many people color-match their wardrobe to the wall for a seamless look.
2. How do I make my PAX wardrobe look more expensive in a neutral palette?
Add custom door panels, change hardware, or use textured elements like cane or linen. Built-in framing and thoughtful accessories take it up a notch.
3. What’s the best way to organize the inside for a soft, neutral theme?
Stick to storage baskets, boxes, and hangers in similar light tones. Use fabric or woven textures and avoid clashing accent colors.
4. Are glass or open shelves hard to keep tidy?
They need a bit of maintenance—just style only neat, neutral items inside and do a quick tidy whenever you change out your seasonal wardrobe.
Conclusion
A PAX wardrobe truly comes to life when it feels like part of your space, not just a storage solution. I’ve learned along the way that a soft, neutral color palette isn’t about making things bland—it’s about texture, gentle contrasts, and a sense of ease every time you open those doors. Whether you go for fluted panels, cozy curtains, cane, or just fresh paint, there’s so much flexibility to make your wardrobe your calmest corner. Try whatever feels right for your home and see how much lighter your space (and your mood) feels. You’ll thank yourself for every quiet moment it brings.
