IKEA Wardrobe & Mudroom Design in Australia | IKD Case Study

How can a homeowner get a personalized IKEA wardrobe and mudroom design?

When Lauren, from Australia, began planning the wardrobe and mudroom areas for her new home, the goal was simple.

She had a defined budget and a clear preference for IKEA’s PAX system. It’s widely used across Australia, accessible, and well-suited to homeowners who want flexibility without committing to the cost of fully custom cabinetry.

What complicated the process wasn’t the system—it was her time.

Between coordinating a full new-build, raising three young children, and trying to keep everyday clutter from spreading through the house, Lauren didn’t have the bandwidth to measure precisely, test layouts, or rethink plans late at night. She wanted storage that worked—so she wasn’t constantly stepping around shoes, bags, or the occasional toy left behind in a hallway.

IKEA could supply the components, but she wanted assurance that the finished spaces wouldn’t require “figuring it out later.”

She was looking for designs that would survive real life.

What are the limits of IKEA’s Closet Home Planner software?

Lauren’s initial Google search was straightforward: IKEA wardrobe planners. What stopped her scrolling wasn’t their product page, but an IKD article documenting a completed project—fully installed and photographed in a real home.

“You don’t often see what happens after the plan,” she explained. “Seeing something actually built made a big difference.”

As she reviewed additional IKD projects, the difference became clearer. Rather than relying on IKEA home planner software layouts, IKD uses closet-industry professional software to produce high-resolution, full-color renderings. These show proportions, finishes, and how the entire space comes together—before anything is ordered or assembled.

Just as important were the elevation drawings – vertical views of each wall. Elevations clearly show cabinet placement, measurements, ceiling heights, and alignment, making it easier to understand how the space will function daily.

Lauren had already tried working with IKEA’s in-store designers. The process was efficient, but predictable: standard packs, predefined corner solutions, and limited flexibility to adapt to how the space would actually be used.

When IKD reviewed the layout, the approach changed. Lennin, IKD’s design supervisor, treated IKEA components as adaptable elements rather than fixed rules. Corners were reconsidered. Storage was planned around use, not symmetry. The wardrobe and mudroom were designed as finished spaces—not places where items would land temporarily before being dealt with later.

“It absolutely gave me more than I could have done myself—or than IKEA could have done,” Lauren said.

Being Ready Before Installation Day

Because the project was part of a new-build, timing mattered. Baseboards were intentionally left off so the cabinetry could be installed abutting the wall. Carpet installation was scheduled afterward. Measurements, alignments, and clearances were sorted out early—before anyone arrived with tools.

Lauren sourced her installer through Airtasker, reviewing four quotes before selecting one. The full walk-in wardrobe and mudroom were installed over two days.
One drawing required brief clarification, but once the installer reviewed the complete elevation set, everything moved forward smoothly. There was no redesigning on the fly, no “we’ll just make this work,” and no surprises hiding behind the panels.

The Wardrobe: Lots of storage, stylishly designed.

The walk-in wardrobe totals about 140 square feet.

The design includes 12 cabinets, primarily drawers and shelving. All with IKEA’s Komplement White Stained Oak Effect doors.

The total IKEA product cost for the wardrobe came to AU$3,220. Comparable custom cabinetry quotes exceeded AU$20,000, making the value difference significant.

“It fits like a glove,” Lauren said. “It’s exactly the look we were after—without the huge price tag.”

The Mudroom: A Place for Everything (and Everything Off the Floor)

The mudroom was designed with lots of activity in mind—family arriving home, heading out, and everything that gets dropped in between.

The IKEA portion of the mudroom totaled AU$2,236, with an additional AU$1,021 for IKEA customization and installation elements, including an IKEA Saljan Worktop custom bench area. The layout includes eight IKEA cabinets, totaling 8 feet wide, with a 9-foot-high closet section to maximize vertical storage. Stensund doors were used throughout.

By giving everyday items, a defined home—shoes, bags, jackets, and yes, the occasional toy—the mudroom reduces clutter before it reaches the rest of the house.