IKEA cabinets, without the pitfalls
PAX, MALM, BILLY and BESTA each own a job. Buying the wrong one is usually a scenario mismatch, not a quality problem.
The split, in one line: a floor-to-ceiling wall of clothes is PAX; basic bedroom storage and beds are MALM; books and display go to BILLY; a TV unit and stackable storage is BESTA. They aren't replacements for each other; each owns one scenario.
The four series side by side
| Series | Role | Best for | Before you buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAX | Floor-to-ceiling wardrobe system | Bedroom high-capacity storage | Must be anchored to the wall; pick depth 35 vs 58 |
| MALM | Drawer chest / bed | Basic bedroom storage | Anchor to the wall; especially with kids |
| BILLY | Bookcase | Books, display, odds and ends | Shelves are shallow; great for books, not big items |
| BESTA | TV unit / storage combo | Living room | Stackable, doors sold separately; plan the config first |
One by one
PAX: turn a whole wall into a wardrobe
PAX is a modular wardrobe system; you configure the interior shelves, drawers and rails yourself, and floor-to-ceiling it swallows an astonishing amount. Two notes: one, it must be anchored to the wall; two, depth comes in 35 and 58, with the shallow one saving space but crowding hangers, so measure first.
MALM: the bedroom basic
The MALM drawer chest is cheap, useful and easy to match — many people's first cabinet. The one hard rule: anchor it to the wall. Drawer chests are top-heavy, and tip-over accidents from kids climbing happen every year, so don't skip it.
BILLY: the classic bookcase
BILLY is shallow, perfect for books and display, and friendly on price. Try to cram in big items or use it as a storage cabinet and you'll be disappointed; it was born to be a bookcase.
BESTA: the living-room building blocks
BESTA is the do-everything of living-room storage — TV units, low cabinets, tall cabinets all assemble from it, with doors and legs sold separately for a very different look. Plan the configuration before you order, or you'll keep buying more.
General pitfalls
- Anchor every cabinet. PAX and MALM especially; tip-over protection isn't a suggestion, it's a must.
- Measure depth and ceiling height first. Many "wrong buys" are unmeasured: it won't fit, or won't reach the ceiling.
- Doors can be added later. Want an open unit to become a doored one? Many series sell doors separately, no need to replace the whole cabinet.