Hallways often become swirling vortexes that suck in random items, leaving a jumble of clutter and chaos in their wake. Since hallways are typically tucked out of sight, it’s all too tempting to make them landing zones for items that don’t have designated homes.
In this hall closet hack, a cluttered, chaotic hallway undergoes a complete transformation thanks to a clever built-in solution from IKEA hackers, Julian & Marian (@Julianundmarian).
They turned the end of their friend’s overcrowded hallway into a floor-to-ceiling storage closet that keeps everything out of sight, using the popular PAX cabinets.
But you can’t simply leave all of those shelves exposed, right? The whole idea is to create a tidy space using hidden storage. But plain doors, well, where’s the fun in that?
This dynamic duo decided to up the ante with mirrored doors that add depth to the hallway and brighten things up. Here’s how they did it!
What You’ll Need
- 2 IKEA PAX units (19 ⅝” x 13 ¾” x 92 ⅞”)
- 1 IKEA PAX add-on mid unit (13 ¾” x 13 ¾” x 92 ⅞”)
- IKEA KOMPLEMENT accessories and shelves (as desired)
- 2 Cut-to-size pieces of 16-mm blockboard (3-ply HDF-Deck)
- 10 cup hinges
- Hinge template
- 2 Pieces of mirror glass (cut-to-size)
- Mirror adhesive
- 2 Handles
- Storage boxes or baskets (optional)
- Basics — screwgun, drill
IKEA PAX Hacked Into A Stunning Hall Closet With Mirrors
1. Prep the PAX
First things first, assemble the three PAX units according to IKEA’s instructions. Julian and Marian placed the two larger units on either side of the narrower PAX add-on unit. Screw all of the units together and into the wall to make them stable.
They added shelving to the two larger units and also kept the bottom shelf out of the mid-unit to leave room for a vacuum cleaner. Depending on your storage needs, you can use a similar setup or peruse the various KOMPLEMENT accessories to create your ideal solution.
IKEA’s PAX design tool can help you decide which PAX units best suit your needs and which accessories to get. You might need different-sized units if you have a larger or smaller hallway, etc. The planner is a great way to try various configurations out before you commit to a design and purchase anything.
2. Make the Doors
Measure the size needed for the two doors and get blockboard cut-to-size at your local home improvement store. Determine the placement for the hinges by carefully measuring the spacing on the PAX bases and transferring it to the doors.
Julian and Marian decided to install five cup hinges on each door to ensure they could handle the load once the mirrors were added. A hinge template and jig made things much easier, but the hacker team cautions to measure and take your time.
3. Add the Mirrors
Julian and Marian purchased two pieces of mirror glass, cut-to-size, from @spiegelshop. Check out your local hardware store or glass store, and make sure to have accurate dimensions.
Attach the mirrors to the doors using a mirror adhesive. The DIY team said they simply pressed down with their body weight, then allowed everything to dry flat for 24 hours before installing the doors onto the bases.
4. Finishing Touches
A few storage baskets on top of the PAX add extra organization and take advantage of the high ceilings. Once the doors are closed, they’re hidden, so it makes sense to put something up there. The duo also added handles to the doors to make opening and closing them easier without leaving behind pesky fingerprints.
Price for this hack: Approximately $750 to $850 (This is an estimate — IKEA pieces are roughly $460, not counting additional shelving and accessories. This total doesn’t account for any shipping or taxes.)
Mirror, Mirror, in the Hall, Is This the Best Hack of All?
I love the idea of a mirror in the hallway because it’s a pass-through space, guiding you from one end of the home to the other. Usually, one of those ends is near the front door, so many times you’re walking down the hall before you leave home.
We hung a mirror in our hallway, above a small, slim storage console. It’s perfect for a quick touch-up or check before leaving the house. However, another great benefit of mirrors is that they can make spaces appear larger, making them a valuable addition to tight spaces.
For this hall closet hack, the mirrored doors check these two boxes, but also hide clutter and storage. They turn what was once wasted space into a powerhouse of organization and functionality. What do you think? Would this hack work magic in your hallway?
Check out the hack, and follow Julian & Marian @Julianundmarian for more project inspirations and transformations. And don’t forget to send us your IKEA hacks if you want to share your ideas with others!