- Ikea promises the furniture revolution, but is it realistic?
When it comes to literal stress in assembling one's IKEA furniture, "Billy" is often the topic of conversation. However, compared to "Pax", "Billy" has always been a breeze. Those who have assembled or even disassembled (like the author of these lines) wardrobes from the "Pax" series can sing a different tune. Massive, tall, heavy. Installing sliding doors with mirrors on several "Pax" bodies in an old apartment with a slightly uneven floor is a nightmare for anyone who only needed a wardrobe for their daughter... and didn't want to become a master carpenter.
It's also challenging to disassemble the "Pax" without climbing inside and breaking it (which the author has also experienced). But hey: The wardrobe is spacious, affordable, and usually available for immediate delivery. That's IKEA.
The New IKEA Pax: No More Nails, Fewer Screws
But now, everything is supposed to get better. IKEA promises nothing less than a furniture revolution: It's supposed to be easier - and thus faster. And the "Pax" is supposed to be the first furniture piece with an assembly turbo.
But is that true?
Let's look at the differences: According to the IKEA instructions, the assembly of the "Pax" previously involved 24 steps, now it's 21 steps. And these are less labor-intensive in the new "Pax". While you had to process 114 nails, screws, dowels, and brackets before, there are only 26 parts in its new version. Not having to sink nearly 50 nails into the back panel alone is a significant improvement. Also, there are only a few screws and dowels to be inserted.
Previously, the "Pax" kit was designed to be assembled on the floor. Then you had to upright the wardrobe, which was always a bit tricky - and could only be done sensibly with two people. Moreover, you always needed some overhead space for uprighting, which caused problems in low rooms, as illustrated in the image below from the instructions. Although the instructions for the old "Pax" also had a variant for assembly in a standing position, it was really challenging to execute.
So, let's come to the new "Pax" version: Now, the wardrobe body is designed from the start to be assembled standing up. The back panel is firmly connected to the two side panels. You stand the elements upright, release the safety band, and then you can unfold the wardrobe like a screen - as shown in the photo above. Then, two strips with plug connections are mounted at the bottom. Finally, the top and bottom panels are inserted. The wardrobe body is ready. It looks quite simple. You still 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 announcement, "thanks to the plug-in system and folding construction". That sounds very promising, although you'd want to check the exact time yourself. And - note - it only applies to the bare body. It still needs to be secured, equipped with drawers, shelves, and coat hangers, and finally fitted with doors. That all takes time.
But significantly faster than building the old "Pax", it should certainly be. And according to Ikea, "Pax" is now also easier to disassemble: "Thanks to the new construction, Pax is now even more durable," the furniture manufacturer writes. "Easy assembly and disassembly - again and again." That sounds great. But these claims still need to be proven in practice. 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 states in its announcement that it has made "no compromises" regarding the "versatility, functionality, and adaptability of Pax". There is still "a wide range of sizes, colors, and interior fittings options". And above all, the new "Pax" is fully compatible with the previous version - as it should be for a proper update. The price has also remained the same. By the way, the new model is now available online and in stores.
It remains a mystery why Ikea's press release talks about how "the carcass can now be easily assembled by a single person", but then crosses out the lone warrior in its instructions and shows two people assembling it. But that's just one of many small differences between theory and practice that we'll likely continue to encounter when assembling Ikea furniture.
The new connection system in the revamped IKEA Pax promises easier assembly, with the wardrobe body designed to be assembled standing up and ready in just 20 minutes without the use of many tools. Moreover, IKEA claims that the new Pax is easier to disassemble due to its improved construction, promoting durability and ease of use.
