Easier to assemble? Ikea has reinvented its furniture series “Pax”

Anyone who talks about the proverbial stress of assembling their Ikea furniture usually talks about “Billy”. Compared to “Pax”, however, “Billy” was always child’s play. Anyone who has ever assembled or perhaps even dismantled wall units from the “Pax” series (like the author of these lines) can tell you all about it. Solid, high, heavy. Installing the sliding doors with mirrors in front of several “Pax” units in an old apartment with a slightly sloping floor is a nightmare for anyone who just needed a wardrobe for their daughter… and didn’t actually want to become a master furniture maker.

It is also difficult to unscrew the “Pax” again without climbing in and breaking in (this has also happened to the author). But hey: the wardrobe is spacious, inexpensive and usually available immediately. Just like Ikea.

The new Ikea Pax: No more nails, hardly any screws

But now everything is supposed to be better. Ikea promises nothing less than a furniture revolution: it is supposed to be simpler – and therefore quicker. And the “Pax” is supposed to be the first piece of furniture with turbo assembly.

But is that true?

So let’s look at the differences: According to the Ikea instructions, assembling the “Pax” used to involve 24 steps, now it’s 21. And the new “Pax” is actually less complicated. While you used to have to use 114 nails, screws, dowels and fittings, the new version only requires 26 parts. Not having to sink 50 nails into the back wall is a huge step forward. You also only need to use a very small number of screws and dowels.

Until now, the kit for the “Pax” was designed in such a way that you actually had to assemble it on the floor. Then you had to put the cupboard upright, which was always a little tricky – and only two people could do it properly. You also always needed some space above the cupboard to put it upright, which caused problems in low rooms, as the picture below from the instructions illustrates. The instructions for the old “Pax” did include a variant for construction while standing, but it was really tricky to do.

So let’s move on to the new “Pax” version: The wardrobe body is now designed from the outset so that it can be assembled standing up. The back wall is firmly connected to the two side parts. You put the elements upright, loosen the securing strap and you can unfold the wardrobe like a folding screen – and as shown in the photo at the top. Then two strips with plug-in connections are mounted at the bottom. Finally, the lid and a base are inserted at the top and bottom. The wardrobe body is ready. It actually looks very simple. You only need the legendary Ikea Allen key to adjust the height of the feet.

The “Pax” should be ready in just 20 minutes

Ikea is certainly enthusiastic about its innovation: in the future, “Pax” can be assembled “without tools in 20 minutes,” the company writes in its press release, “thanks to the plug-in system and folding construction.” That sounds really promising, even if you’d rather check the exact time yourself. And – mind you – it’s just the bare body. It still has to be anchored in place, fitted with drawers, shelves and wardrobe rails, and finally fitted with doors. All of that takes time.

But it should be much quicker than assembling the old “Pax” in any case. And according to Ikea, “Pax” is now easier to disassemble: “Thanks to the new construction, Pax is now significantly more durable,” writes the furniture manufacturer. “Easy assembly and disassembly – again and again.” That sounds great. But this claim also has to prove itself in practice first. Just like the question of whether the new construction system is as stable as the old one.

The new Ikea wardrobe is compatible with old Pax versions

Despite these innovations, Ikea writes in its announcement that it has made “no compromises” when it comes to “the versatility, functionality and adaptability of Pax”. There are still “a variety of sizes, colors and interior design options”. And above all, the new “Pax” is fully compatible with the previous version – just as a proper update should be. The price has not changed either. By the way: The new model is now available online and in stores.

It remains a mystery why Ikea says in its press release that “the body can now be easily assembled by a single person” but then crosses out the lone fighter in its instructions – and shows two people assembling it. But that is just one of the many small differences between theory and practice that you will probably continue to encounter when assembling Ikea cabinets.