The IKEA Antonius and Jonaxel systems both offer smart storage, but they are built for different purposes and spaces. The Antonius is a series of bathroom-specific furniture designed with moisture-resistant particleboard and a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. The Jonaxel, on the other hand, is a highly modular and budget-friendly system with metal frames and plastic baskets, designed for versatile use in laundry rooms, closets, or garages.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right IKEA storage system for your home.
IKEA Antonius Storage
The Antonius series is IKEA's solution for creating streamlined, functional storage specifically for bathrooms. Characterized by clean lines and modern finishes, it's designed to withstand the humidity of a bathroom environment while adding a polished, built-in feel. The collection includes wall cabinets, tall units, and under-sink storage that help maximize space in smaller rooms.
- What it is: A series of bathroom furniture and storage solutions known for a minimalist design and moisture-resistant construction.
- Key features: Moisture-resistant finishes, configurations include wall cabinets, tall towers, and under-sink units, sleek design with hidden storage.
- Price: Approximately $50 - $200 per piece.
- Style: Modern, minimalist, and Scandinavian-inspired with a clean, unassuming look that blends into existing decor.
- Materials/Construction: Built from moisture-resistant particleboard with melamine or laminate finishes. The hardware is sturdy metal.
- Pros: Aesthetically pleasing and looks more like built-in furniture. Materials are specifically chosen for humid bathroom environments. Offers a clean, organized appearance with closed cabinetry. Well-suited for permanent bathroom upgrades.
- Cons: Higher price point compared to Jonaxel. Less modular and not as easily reconfigured or moved. Designed almost exclusively for bathroom use.
The Antonius is ideal for homeowners looking for a durable, stylish, and moisture-resistant storage solution to permanently upgrade their bathroom.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/search/?q=antonius
IKEA Jonaxel Storage System
The Jonaxel is IKEA’s versatile, go-anywhere storage workhorse. It’s an ultra-flexible system based on metal frames and configurable baskets that can be used in closets, laundry rooms, garages, pantries, and even bathrooms. Its industrial-inspired style prioritizes pure function and adaptability over refined aesthetics, making it a favorite for budget-conscious organization projects.
- What it is: A modular storage system designed for multi-purpose use in a variety of household spaces.
- Key features: Open frame design with metal wires, lightweight plastic drawers and shelves, and stackable frames that can be easily customized.
- Price: Individual units start around $20, with larger configurations around $150.
- Style: Utilitarian and industrial with a transparent, functional look.
- Materials/Construction: Made from powder-coated steel frames, polypropylene plastic drawers, and optional particleboard shelves.
- Pros: Extremely affordable and budget-friendly. Highly modular and adaptable to different spaces and needs. Lightweight and easy to move or reconfigure. Moisture-resistant materials make it suitable for damp areas.
- Cons: Aesthetically very basic and industrial-looking. Open basket design doesn't hide clutter. Plastic drawers can feel less durable than solid cabinets.
The Jonaxel system is perfect for those who need a highly flexible, low-cost organization solution for utility spaces or renters who want storage they can take with them.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/search/?q=jonaxel
IKEA Antonius vs. Jonaxel Comparison
Dimensions & Sizing
The sizing for the two systems reflects their intended purpose. The Antonius offers sizes tailored for bathroom fixtures, such as compact wall cabinets (around 15-20 inches wide) and under-sink units designed to fit around standard plumbing. Its focus is on making the most of tight vertical and horizontal spaces common in a bathroom.
The Jonaxel system is built around its frame units, which can be stacked or placed side-by-side to fill a closet, wall, or nook of almost any size. The variety comes from combining frames of different heights with baskets and shelves of various depths, giving you much more control to create a custom-sized storage unit.
Materials & Durability
Antonius uses moisture-resistant particleboard with finishes designed to prevent swelling and damage from steam and humidity. This makes it a structurally sound choice for a bathroom over the long term. It feels like permanent furniture.
Jonaxel is made in a much simpler fashion with powder-coated steel frames and plastic baskets. While metal and plastic won't get damaged by moisture, the system is lightweight and has a less substantial feel. It's durable for its purpose - holding clothes, supplies, or linens - but doesn’t have the solid feel of an enclosed Antonius cabinet.
Style & Versatility
When it comes to looks, Antonius is the clear winner for design-focused spaces. Its sleek, minimalist design blends seamlessly into modern bathroom decor, offering a finished look with clean lines and closed doors to hide clutter. Its versatility, however, is limited to the bathroom.
Jonaxel is the opposite. Its style is utilitarian, functional, and unapologetically industrial. It’s not meant to be a decorative piece. Its true strength is its incredible versatility, use it in a craft room today, a child’s closet tomorrow, and the garage next year. The parts can be reconfigured repeatedly to adapt to new needs.
Price & Value
Jonaxel is one of IKEA's most affordable storage series. You can build a sizable organization unit for well under $100. It offers fantastic value for anyone who needs to quickly and cheaply organize a space, especially renters or those with evolving needs.
Antonius costs more, with individual cabinets often priced where a full Jonaxel unit might be. The value it provides is a durable, humidity-safe, and aesthetically pleasing furniture piece for a specific and challenging environment - the bathroom. You pay more for the better looks and purpose-built construction.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both IKEA systems offer excellent storage, but they shine in completely different scenarios.
Choose the Antonius if:
- You are specifically outfitting a bathroom and need moisture-resistant furniture.
- Aesthetics are important, and you want a clean, minimalist, and built-in look.
- You prefer closed storage that hides toiletries and other clutter.
- You want a more permanent furniture solution and are willing to pay a bit more for it.
Choose the Jonaxel if:
- You are on a tight budget and need the most storage for your money.
- You need a highly flexible solution for a closet, laundry room, pantry, or garage.
- Function is far more important to you than form.
- You want a lightweight, modular system you can easily change, move, or add to over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Antonius and Jonaxel?
The primary difference is their intended use and materials. The Antonius is bathroom furniture made from moisture-resistant particleboard for a sleek, permanent look. The Jonaxel is a utilitarian, multi-purpose storage system made of steel and plastic, designed for ultimate flexibility and affordability.
Which IKEA system is better for a bathroom?
The Antonius is explicitly designed for humid bathroom environments, making it the better choice for longevity and style. However, Jonaxel's metal and plastic parts are also resistant to moisture, so it can work well inside a bathroom closet or for open storage if you prefer its functionality and price.
Is one system more sturdy than the other?
Antonius feels sturdier because it is constructed like traditional cabinet furniture. Jonaxel frames are stable, especially when anchored to a wall, but the overall system feels lighter and is intended for holding items in baskets rather than acting as a solid piece of furniture.
Which system is easier to assemble?
Both feature typical IKEA assembly. However, the Jonaxel is generally faster and easier to assemble due to its simple frame-and-basket design with fewer components per unit.
Can you combine parts from both systems?
No, the Antonius and Jonaxel are two separate systems, and their parts are not interchangeable. They have completely different dimensions, materials, and connection methods.
Which storage system is cheaper?
The Jonaxel is significantly cheaper. You can often assemble an entire storage tower for less than the cost of a single Antonius wall cabinet.
Do these systems need to be anchored to the wall?
IKEA recommends that all storage units over a certain height be anchored to the wall to prevent tipping. Both systems come with the necessary hardware for wall anchoring, and it's a critical safety step.
How do you clean and maintain these systems?
Both systems can be wiped clean with a soft cloth dampened with water and a mild dish detergent. Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the finishes of both the Antonius particleboard and the Jonaxel's powder-coated steel.
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