No one does closets better than IKEA. When I re-did our bedroom in our old home, I knew I wanted to transform our sad dysfunctional closet too. I was so excited to work with IKEA to create the closet I have always dreamt of! The customizable PAX wardrobes add so much storage and style for a fraction of the cost of a custom built-in closet. The soft blue made me feel like I was shopping in a pretty dress shop.
Here's how to paint IKEA PAX wardrobes. Painting laminate is not the same as painting wood furniture. Follow the steps below to make sure this hack will be one worth Instagramming.
WHAT YOU NEED
primer (we used Benjamin Moore Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer)
paint (we used Benjamin Moore Advance Pearl)
paint brushes
foam rollers
painter's tape
drop cloth
WHAT TO DO
1. Assemble the large frames and put them in place inside the closet. Assemble drawers as well. Some people will suggest priming and painting it all before you build, but I find it much easier to do it once that's already done. There's very little cutting-in needed and everything takes up way less space to paint.
2. Tape the glass on drawers and shelves if you are using those.
3. Prime every exposed surface using a high density foam roller and good-quality paint brush. Cut in with the brush first and then roll over flat surfaces. This step is so important with laminate furniture. If you skip it, you will literally be able to scrape the paint off. Not the look any of us want, right? Let dry according to directions. I left everything overnight.
4. Paint everything. Use a fresh brush and roller. I set up an assembly line of shelves and drawers in our living and dining room and just worked my way from one end of the room to the other. Do three light coats of paint, allowing to dry for a couple hours between each coat. We went with Benjamin Moore Advance paint in a pearl finish. It is what we've used to paint almost every piece of furniture and it provides a beautiful, durable finish. This colour is Intuition.
5. Let the final coat dry for at least 24 hours before using. Wait longer if you can. If any scrapes happen when you put the shelves and drawers in place, use the brush to touch it up.
If I were to do this project again - and I hope to in our new house - I would have filled all the holes and added trim details to make it look more built-in.
I promise, the work will be so worth it!
All images: Angus Fergusson Photography.