Built-in closets, just like custom kitchens, require elegance, customization and beauty that not only fits your lifestyle & wardrobe, but gives you a sense of accomplishment and pride in your home...

Now there are many avenues to achieve the goal of creating a custom closet space that suits your needs, and in this article you'll discover the real value proposition between spending $10k-15k on a custom closet from a "big brand" closet company, and creating a closet space using IKEA's PAX closet system for $5k-$8k (on average of course lol!)...

Here are the 5 points we'll cover:

1. IKEA Closet Materials
2. IKEA Closet System Options
3. IKEA Closet Pricing
4. Availability of IKEA's Closets & Lead Times
5. IKEA Closet Installation DIY vs Professional

Let's begin...

Take a quick look at these photos... Can you tell which ones are IKEA closets, or a closets from California Closets? Keep scrolling and I'll reveal "who's who"...

So... If you guessed right, the first two closets are from IKEA... Yup!

And the 3rd image is from California Closets...

Kinda hard to distinguish, right?

Besides offering many of the same functions, both companies are using Chipboard and MDF for their frames and drawer fronts...

THE EXACT SAME MATERIALS...

Now don't me wrong, I love my Mercedes, but I wouldn't have paid double for it...

From drawers, open shelving, and baskets to shoe racks, tie racks, jewelry inserts & pullout slack racks, IKEA pretty much covers it all with their PAX closet system...

Here's a few images of just some of the options available for your IKEA closet system:

And if you end up hiring a professional IKEA closet design & installation team, the customization is endless...

(Ready to get started on your own IKEA closet? Click the orange button below to get an instant estimate on your IKEA closet system and to find out how you can work with one of our local design & installation teams...)

Ahhh the value proposition...

Now, keep in mind, that as a kitchen remodeling and closet installation company, we could literally use any materials we'd like for our clients...

And for our own homes...

But, when it comes down to really looking at the value of IKEA closets vs a company like California Closets (or any other fancy schmancy closet company), it's REALLY difficult for us to justify to our clients that they should use a company that offers virtually the same options and materials, for double the cost...

And since non of the IKEA products are visibly marked with the IKEA branding & logo, no one will ever know the difference when you're showing off your new closet to neighbors, family & friends...

Heck, our team in Honolulu just installed custom walk in closet systems from IKEA in 3 $1.5MM homes...

You can choose who you want for your built in closet, but if you'd like to keep more money in your pocket with out sacrificing beauty, functionality and a sense of accomplishment, then by all means...

IKEA is your solution...

So, for all transparency purposes, I just called two of the more "popular" custom closet companies to ask about their lead times...

Simply because I didn't know...

And here are the results...

Both companies, one of them being California Closets, have lead times of 3-6 weeks...

Meanwhile, back at IKEA, I could design, order & pickup your closet system today, and could start the installation tomorrow...

I guess there's a "perceived value" that comes from the long lead times and high prices, but when you really understand the differences and similarities that we've discussed...

You soon realize that the true value is found with the IKEA PAX closet system... Period!

(NOTE: If you were wondering, IKEA does not pay us to love or write about their products... This is coming from our collective experience in construction, and understanding the differences in value, especially after installing a wide variety of cabinet and closet systems...)

Are you a DIYer, or would you rather rely on an experienced team of designers & installers?

IKEA does have this "DIY" reputation, but in all honesty, when it comes to their kitchens and closets, if you don't have carpentry or construction experience, it can be a huge headache...

Now I know you're more than capable of installing your own IKEA closet with some time, focus and tools...

But many of our clients are super busy with work and family life, that they don't have an extra week to spare trying to figure out how to install an IKEA closet...

Our teams understand IKEA's systems and products so much that we're almost fluent in Swedish... (kidding of course)

And it allows use to create and install your custom IKEA closet without a matter of days... Not weeks or months...

And if you're ready to get started on your own IKEA closet, simply click the orange button below to get an instant estimate on your new closet...