The standard fronts of the IKEA PAX wardrobe are functional but interchangeable – they look identical in millions of homes. If you want to customize your PAX wardrobe, you're looking for PAX fronts that stand out from mass-produced items in terms of color, material, and quality. At Select Living, you get exactly that: custom-made IKEA PAX fronts in over 30 colors, two material lines, and a quality you won't find at IKEA. In this guide, you'll learn everything about the possibilities of replacing your PAX fronts – from available materials to assembly and concrete price examples.
What are PAX fronts and why is it worth replacing them?
PAX fronts refer to the visible doors and side panels of the IKEA PAX wardrobe. At IKEA, the doors are called Bergsbo, Forsand, Fardal, Reinsvoll, or Tyssedal – they come in a few colors and standard sizes. PAX fronts from third-party providers like Select Living replace exactly these elements: You keep your proven PAX carcass with all its internal fittings and only replace the visible surfaces. This is cheaper than a new wardrobe, more sustainable than discarding it, and ultimately looks higher quality than anything IKEA has to offer.
The replacement is particularly worthwhile if you want to visually upgrade your room without buying completely new furniture. New color concept / design in the bedroom? Moving into an apartment with a different ceiling height? Or simply fancy a fresh look? In all these cases, replacing the fronts is the smartest solution, without having to sell your carcasses.
IKEA PAX fronts vs. Select Living – what's the difference?
IKEA offers its PAX doors in a limited selection: few colors, two fixed heights (195 and 229 cm), standard materials. None of the IKEA fronts reach the floor – the plinth always remains visible. Select Living PAX fronts differ fundamentally in four points:
Firstly, our fronts are floor-to-ceiling – they completely cover the carcass plinth, and the wardrobe immediately looks more valuable. Secondly, we offer over 30 colors in four material lines: Aurora Pure (decorative coated chipboard), Aurora Signature (single-sided lacquered), Dendro Pure (wood decor coating), and Dendro Signature (real wood veneer). Thirdly, our PAX fronts can be custom-made as ceiling-height doors – up to 277 cm high. And fourthly, our fronts weigh around 17 kg per door – compared to IKEA, which weigh significantly less, you feel the quality difference with every opening and closing.
What PAX front alternatives are available on the market?
In addition to Select Living, there are other providers for IKEA PAX front alternatives. The differences lie in the details: Some offer only individual doors without matching side panels, others do not have floor-to-ceiling variants or custom-made ceiling-height options. Still others produce abroad with longer delivery times and without the possibility of ordering samples in advance.
What makes Select Living unique: We offer not just PAX fronts, but a complete system of floor-to-ceiling doors, exterior sides, wall panels, top cabinets, and a 3D PAX planner with which you can configure everything in advance. Everything is manufactured in our family joinery in Gelsenkirchen – Made in Germany – and color-coordinated. This turns the PAX into a seamless fitted wardrobe, not just a wardrobe with new doors.
What material lines are available for PAX fronts?
Our PAX fronts are available in two main lines, each coming in a Pure and a Signature variant:
Aurora (Color): Aurora Pure is a decorative coated chipboard – easy to clean, robust, and available in modern shades like Cloud, Linen, Dune, Pistachio, Blush, and Pebble. Aurora Signature offers a single-sided lacquered surface with a velvety-matte feel in shades like Frost, Ivory, Sand, Ash, Mink, Clay, Stone, and Graphite.
Dendro (Wood): Dendro Pure comes with a high-quality wood decor coating on chipboard – the attractively priced option for a wood look. Dendro Signature uses real wood veneer on MDF in Heritage Oak, Core Walnut, and Shadow Walnut. Additionally, there's Dendro Ligna with a ribbed groove structure for a striking, modern look.
Can you simply replace IKEA PAX doors?
Yes – and it's easier than most people think. You use the existing holes, no new drilling is necessary. Important: Since our fronts are significantly heavier than IKEA doors at approx. 17 kg, we use our own Select Living Premium hinges, which are designed for this weight. The hinges are simply inserted into the existing drill holes.
The entire replacement takes only a few minutes per door: Unhinge old IKEA fronts, insert new hinges, hang in Select Living front, adjust – done. No craftsman needed, no special tools. On our assembly help page, you'll find step-by-step instructions with pictures.
Floor-to-ceiling PAX fronts – why this makes the biggest difference
The visible plinth is the detail that immediately reveals an IKEA PAX as such. With IKEA standard doors, there is a gap several centimeters wide below the door – the plinth area of the carcass is exposed. Our PAX fronts extend to the floor and completely cover this area. The door closes flush with the floor, and the wardrobe thus looks like a permanently installed piece of furniture. This one difference makes more of a visual impact than any color change.
PAX fronts ceiling-height – from floor to ceiling
If you want the ultimate fitted wardrobe look, go one step further: Our custom-made PAX fronts can be made as ceiling-height doors – up to 41 cm above the standard PAX height. On the 201 cm PAX up to 241 cm, on the 236 cm PAX up to 277 cm. The door extends upwards beyond the carcass and closes just below the ceiling. In combination with exterior sides and wall panels in the same color, a seamless, room-height surface is created – the IKEA origin completely disappears.
For ceiling heights above 277 cm, we also offer our PAX top cabinet – a separate carcass that is placed on top and extends the wardrobe to a total height of 380 cm.
What do PAX fronts from Select Living cost?
The costs depend on the material line, size, and number of fronts. As a guide: A single PAX door in Aurora Pure starts from approx. 160 Euros, in Aurora Signature from approx. 235 Euros. Custom-made ceiling-height doors cost correspondingly more. For a complete PAX wardrobe with four fronts, exterior sides, and wall panels, expect 1,000 to 3,000 Euros for the Select Living parts, depending on the configuration – plus the IKEA carcasses.
In comparison: A custom-made fitted wardrobe from a carpenter can quickly cost 5,000 to 10,000 Euros for a comparable configuration. On our inspiration page, you'll find real customer examples with before/after pictures and exact price information.
How to find the right PAX front for your wardrobe
The easiest way to find the right PAX front: First, order our samples. You will receive real material samples of all surfaces and can judge the color and feel directly in your room. Then use our 3D PAX Planner to digitally build your entire configuration – with doors, exterior sides, wall panels, and if necessary, a top cabinet. You will see the result in real time as a 3D preview including price calculation.
If you are unsure which material line or configuration best suits your room, you can always arrange a callback with our consultation team. We will help you with measurements, material selection, and all technical questions – free of charge and without obligation.
Frequently asked questions about PAX fronts
Are PAX fronts and PAX doors the same?
Essentially, yes – "PAX fronts" and "PAX doors" are often used synonymously. Strictly speaking, "fronts" includes all visible surfaces including exterior sides, while "doors" only refers to the hinged doors. At Select Living, you get both.
Do your PAX fronts fit every IKEA PAX carcass?
Yes, on all current PAX carcasses in widths 50, 75, and 100 cm and heights 201 and 236 cm.
Can I replace the IKEA PAX fronts myself?
Yes, assembly can be done in a few minutes per door without special tools. Remove old front, insert new hinges, hang new front – done.
Which PAX front alternative is the best?
That depends on your priorities. If you want exterior sides, wall panels, and top cabinets in the same color in addition to the doors – i.e., a real fitted wardrobe look – Select Living is the most comprehensive solution on the market.
Do you also offer PAX fronts for sliding doors?
Currently, we offer fronts for PAX wardrobes with hinged doors. Sliding door fronts are not in the program.
