How to Hack IKEA into a Beautiful Mudroom Garage

Garage Mudroom Ikea Hack

You’ve never seen a garage like this!

My client wanted to utilize their oversized garage as a beautiful space for her family to drop backpacks, store shoes and jackets, and overall to provide additional storage.  With function, beauty, and budget in mind, I designed this space to include a couple of IKEA’s most popular and versatile pieces: two PAX units for mixed storage, and three KALLAX units (two as benches, and one as a bridge connecting the two pax units).  With bases, trim, baseboard, and crown molding, these built-ins will be sure to impress any IKEA skeptic!

Before:

I planned for this space to complement the newly epoxied floors, and chose beige Bergsbo doors for the PAX units. They are a modern, shaker style and we paired them with sleek black hardware. However, due to a IKEA inventory shortage, the PAX frames were only available in white, and the KALLAX units don’t come in beige, so I painted them all to match the beige doors! I’ve painted several IKEA pieces with success, but it does require specific steps and materials. In order to save time and materials, I only primed/painted the surfaces that would be seen.  

I started by scuff sanding everything with 180 grit, wiping them clean, then primed using BIN Shellac.   Once dried, I sanded with 400 grit and wiped them down again.  When painting furniture, I mostly use Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel paint because it self-levels, hardens as it cures, and does not require a topcoat.  I took the IKEA beige door to Sherwin Williams, and they were able to color match the paint for me to use with the PAX frames and KALLAX. I then gave everything two coats of paint and sanded with 400 grit in between coats.

Once everything was dry, it was time to assemble! This is where my vision starts to take shape. I started by building a base with 2×4’s and 2.5” screws, then topped it with ½” plywood (this was so that the baseboard would fit correctly once installed). With the PAX and KALLAX sitting on the bases, I attached them to the wall (into studs if possible. If not, I used toggle bolts), into the bases, and into each other. They were not going anywhere! One thing that really helps something to appear “built in” is baseboard and crown molding. We chose PVC because we wanted to ensure it would be waterproof since it’s in a garage. 

Before installing the crown, I needed to install the KALLAX bridge connecting the two PAX units. Listen, this was not easy, and I was ready to recruit help, but I decided to install cleats against the back wall and along each side of the PAX for additional support. And with all my strength, I was able to hoist the KALLAX (on a ladder!) and onto the cleats. While it was supported on 3 sides, I was able to use toggle bolts to attach it to the back wall, and finally into all of the cleats. Additionally, I installed L brackets attached to the top of the KALLAX and into studs of the back wall. I wanted to make sure that since this was up in the air, it was 100% secure and not going anywhere! After a good “dad shake,” I felt confident that it was secure.

Before installing the crown molding, I had to install blocking at the top of the PAX so that I had something to nail the crown into. Once the blocking was attached, I cut and installed the PVC crown using brad nails, Then, I began on the PVC shiplap so that I could fill holes, caulk, and paint all at once. Next, it was time for the hardware, including door pulls and hooks. I used a hardware jig and laser level to help ensure everything was straight and even, but before installing the hooks, I installed a board across making sure to attach it into the studs. I chose to install a board because the hooks were not going to hit studs and I wanted to make sure that they’d be secure. Now I could install the hooks anywhere on the board without worrying that the hooks would eventually become loose one day.

Because of the dimensions of the space, and the availability of pieces from IKEA, there was about a 9 inch gap between the PAX and the wall, and I thought it would be a great spot for a pull out “cabinet” for brooms and such. Think of it like a giant pull out spice rack for a garage! I built it using 1×8’s for the frame, leftover ½” plywood for the backing, and the off cuts of the shiplap! I attached 4 casters to the bottom so that it could be rolled out, and baseboard and crown so that it would blend in. Last thing was to add a matching black door pull. I then repeated the same steps with the shiplap, board, and hooks on the smaller bench portion, and everything was ready for touch up paint!

I am so proud of how this project came out! It’s as beautiful as it is functional!