While both are excellent options for the famous IKEA Pax series, sliding and hinged doors serve fundamentally different needs based on your room's layout, style, and how you access your wardrobe. Sliding doors are the superior space-saver with a modern look, gliding along a track instead of swinging out, while hinged doors offer a traditional feel and a full, unobstructed view of your closet's interior but require floor space to open.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you choose the right wardrobe doors from IKEA for your bedroom.
IKEA Pax Sliding Doors
Pax sliding doors are the modern solution for stylish and efficient wardrobe organization, especially in rooms where floor space is limited. They operate on a track system, with two large panels that slide past one another, eliminating the need for any "swing space" in front of the wardrobe.
- What it is: A set of two door panels that glide horizontally along tracks installed at the top and bottom of the Pax wardrobe frame.
- Key features: Space-saving design, soft-closing mechanisms available, sleek and handle-less aesthetic. Finishes include matte colors, wood effects, and highly popular mirrored panels.
- Price: Ranges from $150 to $300+ per set, generally more expensive than hinged options.
- Style: Modern, minimalist, and streamlined. The large, unbroken panels create a clean, seamless look that can feel very integrated, almost like a custom built-in.
- Materials/Construction: Built with engineered wood, laminated MDF, or tempered glass for mirrored versions. The durability relies heavily on the proper installation of the aluminum track system.
- Pros: Ideal for tight spaces next to beds or other furniture. Mirrored options make a room feel larger and brighter while doubling as a full-length mirror. Safe for high-traffic areas as doors don't obstruct walkways. Modern, high-end look.
- Cons: You can only access one half of the wardrobe at a time. The track installation can be more complex than hanging hinged doors. Track mechanisms can potentially be noisier over time than simple hinges.
Sliding doors are perfect for anyone prioritizing space efficiency and a clean, contemporary aesthetic in a small to medium-sized bedroom.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/cat/pax-sliding-doors-with-frames-19114/
IKEA Pax Hinged Doors
Pax hinged doors are the classic wardrobe choice, swinging outward to reveal the entire contents of your closet. They offer timeless appeal and can be customized with a wide variety of knobs and handles to perfectly match your bedroom decor.
- What it is: Traditional single or paired doors that attach to the side of the Pax frame with hinges and swing open into the room.
- Key features: Allows a full, unobstructed view of the wardrobe interior. Great for customization with a wide range of handle and knob styles. Simpler mechanism means straightforward installation.
- Price: Ranges from $100 to $250 per pair, making them a more budget-friendly choice.
- Style: Traditional to transitional. The ability to add custom hardware makes them highly versatile for different decor styles, from classic to modern farmhouse to Scandinavian.
- Materials/Construction: Typically made from laminated or painted MDF panels, with options for glass inserts or shaker-style details. They attach using standard, robust hinges.
- Pros: Provides complete access to the entire wardrobe at once. Often more affordable than sliding doors. Installation is generally easier and faster. Quiet and simple operation. You can hang organizers on the inside of the doors.
- Cons: Requires significant clearance - you need enough empty floor space in front of the wardrobe to accommodate the door's full swing. Can become an obstacle in small or narrow rooms.
Hinged doors are an excellent choice for larger rooms with ample clearance or for users who value seeing their entire wardrobe at a glance and enjoy customizing with hardware.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/cat/pax-hinged-doors-pax002/
IKEA Pax Sliding Doors vs. Hinged Doors Comparison
Space Requirements & Accessibility
This is the most critical difference. Sliding doors require zero external space to open, making them the only practical option for tight corners, narrow bedrooms, or when the wardrobe is placed directly next to a bed. You can walk past freely even when the wardrobe is "open".
Alternatively, hinged doors need an open area in front of them that is at least as wide as the door itself. A standard 19 5/8" Pax door will command about 20 inches of swing space. The massive benefit, however, is accessibility. Opening both hinged doors grants you a complete, panoramic view of all your clothes, shoes, and organizers, which is a major advantage when planning an outfit.
Style & Aesthetics
Sliding doors offer a sleek, wall-like appearance. The large, uninterrupted panels - especially in a mirrored or high-gloss finish - lend a decidedly modern and minimalist feel to a room. They can look more like a custom, built-in feature than a piece of freestanding furniture.
Hinged doors have a more classic, furniture-like look. They offer greater stylistic versatility through hardware. Adding distinctive bronze knobs can create a traditional vibe, while sleek black pulls will feel more contemporary. This customization allows hinged doors to blend into a wider variety of decor styles.
Materials & Durability
Both door types are built from similar core materials like engineered wood and durable MDF with laminate or painted finishes and are covered by IKEA’s 10-year warranty. The functional durability differs. The longevity of sliding doors depends entirely on the track system being installed correctly - a poorly aligned track can lead to issues down the line. Hinged doors use simple, time-tested hinges that are very reliable and easy to adjust if they ever become misaligned.
Price & Value
Across the board, hinged doors are the more economical option. You can typically save $50 to $100 or more by choosing a hinged pair over a comparable sliding set. This makes hinged doors the winner for anyone on a strict budget. However, the value of sliding doors comes from their space-saving capability. In a small apartment where every square foot counts, paying more to free up floor space can be a worthwhile investment.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both door styles provide durable, attractive solutions for the Pax wardrobe system, but they excel in different scenarios.
Choose Sliding Doors if:
- You have a small bedroom or limited floor space in front of your wardrobe.
- Your decor is modern, minimalist, or contemporary.
- You want to add a full-length mirror to your room without taking up wall space.
- You prioritize a streamlined, built-in aesthetic over full interior visibility.
Choose Hinged Doors if:
- You have plenty of room for the doors to swing outward.
- Your priority is seeing your entire wardrobe's contents at a single glance.
- You're working with a tighter budget.
- You enjoy customizing furniture with your own choice of knobs or handles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Pax sliding and hinged doors?
The main difference is space. Sliding doors glide on a track and need no room to open, making them ideal for small spaces. Hinged doors swing outward, requiring open floor space, but provide a full view of the wardrobe's interior when open.
Which Pax doors are better for a small bedroom?
Sliding doors are overwhelmingly the better choice for a small bedroom. They maximize your usable floor space because they don't swing out into the room, allowing you to place other furniture closer to the wardrobe.
Are sliding doors harder to install than hinged doors?
Yes, most people find sliding doors moderately more difficult to install. Assembling and installing the top and bottom tracks perfectly level can be tricky and requires precision. Hanging hinged doors is a more straightforward process that many find easier to tackle.
Can you see your whole wardrobe at once with sliding doors?
No, you cannot. A sliding door system means one panel is always covering half of your wardrobe's interior. You can access either the left or right side, but never both at the same time.
How much clearance do you need for hinged doors?
You need a clearance space in front of the wardrobe that is equal to the width of the door. The most common Pax doors are 19 5/8" wide, so you'll need at least 20 inches of open space for them to open fully.
Can you put handles on Pax sliding doors?
No, Pax sliding doors are designed to be handle-less for a sleek look and to allow the panels to slide past each other without obstruction. They typically have a small, recessed grip on the side of the panel for operation.
Which type of door is more durable?
Both are very durable and come with a 10-year IKEA warranty. The functional durability can depend on the installation. A correctly installed sliding track is robust, but an improperly installed one can cause problems. Hinges are mechanically simpler and less prone to installation errors.
Can you change from hinged to sliding doors on a Pax wardrobe later?
Yes, but it requires changing more than just the doors themselves. The two door types use different Pax wardrobe frames designed specifically for them. You would need to purchase the correct frame for your new door choice.
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