Family Wardrobes, Flipped in Soft Focus

Few things work harder in a family home than the wardrobes. For Hannah and her young family, the wardrobes in the main bedroom, both girls’ rooms and the study had to hold everything from work shirts to tiny dresses, keep daily life in order, and look as though they had always been there.

That last part mattered most. Their Fremantle character home is all ornate cornices, plantation shutters and dark jarrah boards. After the crisp white of their last house, Hannah wanted something gentler: a whisper of colour, a touch of femininity for the girls, and the finish of built-in joinery without blowing the renovation budget.

So they let IKEA PAX do what it does best and gave it a designer face lift. Hardworking and practical PAX frames take care of the inside, while Fliplab Flat doors in two soft matte tones, Coolum Sand and Paperbark, transform everything you see.

“We achieved a designer feel, for a fraction of the cost, whilst still having high quality products.”

A full wall of IKEA PAX wardrobes in the main bedroom, with Fliplab Flat doors in Paperbark and deep red marble handles.

What did you want from your wardrobes?

We wanted something modern that would fit the space, allow maximum storage and look custom. We didn’t want to spend $50k or more on a cabinet maker, but we did want wardrobes that felt premium and tied in with the look and feel of our home.

The wardrobes are a significant part of the bedrooms, so we wanted them to be beautiful looking as well as have practical storage.

How did you choose wardrobe colours you wouldn’t tire of?

In our previous home everything was very white and neutral. For this home we wanted a bit more personality, a little colour and a touch of femininity for our girls.

We still wanted colours that wouldn’t date or clash with other tones in the house. They shouldn’t be so strong that we’d get sick of them over time, but they should still add something of interest. Our main bedroom has a more mature feel, while the girls’ rooms are young and fresh. Both colours work with warm or cool tones in furniture and bedding. They’re good all-round colours.

In the girls’ rooms, the softest blush of Coolum Sand keeps things fresh, with plenty of room for colourful bedding as they grow.

The same gentle palette carries into the nursery, calm enough for now and ready for years to come.

Did the finish and handles come together the way you expected?

We went with a matte finish for a more modern look. It feels warm and inviting, and it blends well with the rooms, the marble handles and the light fittings we chose.

We actually thought lighter handles would suit the cabinet colours. But the dark jarrah floorboards kept pulling us in a richer direction, so we ended up with deep red marble and walnut timber handles.

Kethy warm walnut handles in the girls’ rooms and Lo&Co deep red marble handles in the main bedroom. Each split handle meets at the door join to form one sculptural shape.

Why flip IKEA PAX with Fliplab doors?

IKEA has all the premium hardware and products of a custom cabinet maker, and the experience was seamless. The design tools were quick and to use, and the free consultation finalised everything, so we knew we had all the right features for our needs without the stress of designing it ourselves.

The Fliplab doors are the designer element that make the wardrobes ours. They made them look like they were purposefully designed for our space. We achieved a high-end look and feel for a fraction of the cost, while still having high-quality products.

Storage that grows with the girls

Behind the soft blush doors, the IKEA PAX interiors do the heavy lifting. A hanging rail sized for little dresses sits above an open shelf for books and favourite things, with drawers and a wire basket below for the everyday. As the girls grow, the interior fittings can be moved and swapped, while the doors stay just as they are, or change when their tastes do.

Inside, an IKEA PAX fit-out of hanging rail, shelf, drawers and wire basket keeps little wardrobes in order.

How did you manage the selection process from Perth?

We did everything online and over the phone. Fliplab’s website was extremely helpful, and much of our inspiration came from Fliplab’s Instagram feed. A video consultation let us see some of the products live, and then we finalised our choices with physical samples.

The design team was extremely helpful in answering our questions and recommending colours. We worked out our options quickly and without hassle.

How did you get your wardrobes to fit so well?

Fliplab’s design team helped us with custom-sized filler panels. We didn’t realise that was an option, but they said it was no problem, and it meant the wardrobes fit our space perfectly.

Their knowledge of the IKEA carcasses and process was excellent and made sure our outcome was flawless. Even though we were interstate from the showroom, we felt confident in the process and our choices. The production and delivery timeframes were really fast too.

In the study, a slim two-door IKEA PAX wardrobe in Paperbark sits comfortably beside the original fireplace and timber mantel.

How do they compare with wardrobes you’ve had before?

Our previous wardrobes were made by a cabinet maker, and the laminate started peeling within two years. The Fliplab doors feel more premium and durable than anything we’ve had in the past.

We also love that we can refresh the wardrobes as our tastes change, or replace a door if it gets damaged, for minimal cost. That’s something we’ll absolutely do.

What’s next for your home?

The kitchen! We’ll keep the IKEA carcasses and refresh the doors with Fliplab, so we get an entirely new-looking kitchen without having to renovate. Since we don’t have to sink a significant cost into the upgrade, we feel we can be a bit more adventurous with our selections.

“I can’t recommend Fliplab enough.”

Sharp details, soft edges

Across four rooms, Hannah’s flipped IKEA PAX wardrobes show how far a little warmth can go. Soft matte tones settle easily into a character home, while marble and walnut handles bring the detail, and hardworking interiors keep family life in order. Because the doors can change as the girls grow, these wardrobes are ready for whatever comes next.

Have IKEA PAX wardrobes, or planning some? Talk to the Fliplab team about elevating them with doors, panels and finishes made to fit, wherever you are in Australia.

Fremantle Customer Project Details

Profile: Fliplab Flat
Colours: Paperbark in the main bedroom & study and Coolum Sand in the girls’ rooms, both in Natural Finish
Products: Wardrobe doors and custom filler panels
System: IKEA PAX
Handles: Client’s own, Lo&Co deep red marble and Kethy warm walnut
Client’s Interior Architect: Within Studio 
Photographer: Rift Photography 

Shop Fliplab doors compatible with Ikea Pax system.