How Does The IKEA PAX Closet System Compare To Costco Organizer Options?

If you are the type of person who can never seem to get enough of organizing hacks, like unlocking little-known organization methods or DIYing an additional dresser in your closet, then you probably take the art of storage solutions pretty seriously. Maybe you thought of adding a trendy organizer system to your cart, or spending considerable time scouring the internet comparing different storage solutions that fit your specific closet needs. In that case, your research likely led you to IKEA's homepage. The iconic furniture store is well-known for budget-friendly storage systems, from must-have products that add storage to your kitchen to glass cabinets that store serving dishes and add depth to dining rooms. The IKEA PAX closet system, specifically, is a promising storage solution with many ways to customize and make it your own. But how does the system compare to other stores, like Costco's many organizational options?

Before you can decide which storage solution is best, you may need to consider a few things. For one, you need to decide what is of most value to you in terms of organization. If customization is important to you, for example, you may benefit from a system that you can tailor to fit your space. Alternatively, space might be more of a priority if you're working with a smaller area in a room, and in that case, you want to maximize your storage space.

There are a variety of options for the IKEA PAX wardrobes, including single and double wall-mounted storage frames. A single frame starts at $150, not including the doors, and currently has a 3.9 customer rating. Some reviewers note the modest price point, with a professional contractor stating that it is more affordable than custom closets that use the same material. When it comes to quality, IKEA uses a mix of solid and engineered wood, so it's something to note if material is important to you. In terms of customization, the PAX system outshines Costco organizer options. There are a variety of corresponding KOMPLEMENT interior organizers that were designed to be used with the PAX wardrobe, including baskets, shelves, inserts for sliding drawers, and more to unify and create a seamless aesthetic.

With this in mind, it's important to note that there seems to be one common complaint from customer reviews. For the wardrobe itself, many customers have noted the inconsistencies with the older design compared to the new design, with many sharing in frustration that the assembly is more complicated. This is something to keep in mind if you plan on adding more wardrobes in the future. In the case of the corresponding KOMPLEMENT drawers, one reviewer notes the poor quality, citing that the wood is prone to denting and chipping. 

As far as organization systems go, Costco only has standalone fixtures rather than customizable wardrobes like the IKEA PAX. For example, there are a few different types of rolling cart organizers from Costco, including a 4-Drawer Rolling Cart. The cart has 4.9-star reviews on the website and features four spacious, removable wire mesh drawers that can be used to organize different areas in your home, and a tabletop that you can use to display decor or set alongside a bed. Many reviewers mention the easy assembly of the product, with one reviewer noting how sturdy the structure is. Additionally, the warehouse club offers a Neatfreak 3-tier Extra-Wide Rolling Cart that is similar, with 3 extra-wide trays and handles, but the drawers aren't removable. The cart has 4.8 stars from reviewers, with one raving about how versatile it is for different uses, while another mentions the sturdiness of the product.

When it comes to customization, though, Costco's products don't hold up as strongly as the IKEA PAX. If you want extra storage, you would have to purchase several rolling carts. Still, the size of the rolling carts isn't as spacious as PAX, so you wouldn't be able to use them to store clothes or linens in a closet in the same way. One 1-star review notes that the 4-Drawer Rolling Cart doesn't have a safety device, so the drawers are prone to falling out if opened too far or tilted.