I’ve Built 5 Closets — Here’s What Each of Them Cost to Build

I’ve built five closets. They’re all completely different. Different approaches, different costs, different skill levels required. But they all work beautifully for their specific situation.

And here’s what I’ve learned: there’s no one right way to do this. The approach that works for one closet might be totally wrong for another. It depends on what you’re working with — your space, your budget, how much time you have, and whether you want to DIY or keep it simple.

I’m breaking down all five. The actual process, what they cost, a few pros and cons of each build, and most importantly, which one might actually be right for your situation!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Closet 1: Viral IKEA TARVA Dresser Build — ~$1,350

This project is where my YouTube channel gained some huge momentum. It went viral and now has over 6.5 million views across the three-part video tutorial series. It’s the most involved build of all five I’ll talk about today, but here’s what people loved — it’s the most inexpensive option if you’re willing to put in serious work.

How We Built It

Here’s exactly how we built it. The base was made out of 2x4s with plywood on top. We tore out our carpeting, but you could just build this base right on top of your carpeting. Then we assembled two IKEA TARVA dressers and installed them as the foundation. After that, we cut, sanded, and installed all the vertical supports and shelving from scratch. Everything was built around those dressers.

After the shell of the closet was complete, we added all the trim. Base trim around the bottom of the closet, and vertical trim to cover the rough plywood edges. No crown moulding on this one since the cubbies went all the way to the ceiling. Last, we primed and painted the entire closet.

The Pros

• You get built-in drawer storage without having to build drawers yourself — the TARVA dressers do that work for you.
• If you already own dressers or can thrift a good pair, you’re building around a solid foundation you didn’t have to pay full price for.
• Because everything is custom-built to your exact space, you can maximize every single square inch.

The Cons

• The shelves aren’t adjustable — they’re built directly in. You could add adjustability, but that’s more time, more work, and more money.
• There is a lot of cutting and sanding. A lot. You need space to do it, and you need to be comfortable with that process.
• You’re measuring constantly to keep everything square and level. This build took the longest of all five.
• Since you’re working with unfinished wood, staining or painting isn’t optional.

Cost Breakdown

Item	Original Cost	Today’s Estimate
IKEA TARVA dressers (x2)	$300	$500
Lumber	$512	$655
Caulk & drywall patch	$13	$17
Clothes rods & holders	$58	$74
Paint, primer, spray paint	$87	$111
TOTAL	$970	~$1,357

This closet was very time-consuming, but the finished product is gorgeous. And this build process costs way less than the other closet builds I’m showing you.

If you’re not afraid of using a few basic power tools. If you have the time. If you want a cost-effective option. If you already have dressers or a piece you want to build around. This build may be right for you!

Closet 2: Built-In IKEA PAX Wardrobe with Sliding Glass Doors — ~$2,300

This one solves a specific problem: you have a room without a closet, and you want it to look like a designed built-in piece, not like you just shoved storage into a corner. After we expanded our master bathroom into the original walk-in closet, we were left with zero closet space in an already small master bedroom. This was the solution!

The sliding glass doors are what make this build. They make the whole thing look premium, intentional, like you planned this space carefully.

How We Built It

We assembled the PAX units, secured them to the wall and to each other per the IKEA instructions, then elevated the whole thing by adding base trim and crown moulding to match the existing trim throughout the rest of the house. After priming and painting, we installed the glass sliding doors and loaded the interior with organizers.

The Pros

• Space-efficient and looks incredibly high-end for the cost.
• Endless door customization options — basic, mirrored, colored, textured. Pick what works for your space.
• With full-coverage sliding doors, all the vertical seams are hidden. No extra trim needed to cover the gaps where units meet.
• You don’t have to keep things perfectly organized all the time, since everything lives behind doors.
• In a small room, mirrored doors do double duty — full-length mirror plus bouncing light to keep the space feeling open.

The Cons

• Sliding doors can be frustrating for a primary closet that you’re in and out of constantly. You can only access one side at a time, which requires a little extra patience when you’re rushing out the door in the morning.

Cost Breakdown

IKEA PAX units, doors & interior components	$2,125
Trim (base & crown)	$65
Paint	$80
Hardware	$20
TOTAL	~$2,290

This is a great option anywhere you want a polished, designed look without a high-end price tag — guest rooms, kids’ rooms, craft rooms. IKEA’s flexibility combined with good trim work makes this feel like a $5,000 custom build for a fraction of that.

Closet 3: Split IKEA PAX Wardrobes (Nursery) — ~$1,400

We did these in my son Harvey’s nursery, and painted them a warm golden yellow. Two separate PAX units, one in each corner, with space between them for his crib — and later a desk as he gets older. The gap between them gives you room to place a bench, dresser, vanity, chair, or whatever you need there.

This build works really well for nurseries, kids’ rooms, guest rooms, and craft rooms — anywhere that needs extra storage without committing to a full wall of closed cabinetry.

How We Built It

We assembled and installed the two units in the corners per the IKEA instructions, then added base trim and crown moulding around them to match the rest of the room. Rather than painting the interiors of the units, we painted only the doors and exterior — which is the smarter approach for a kids’ room.

The Pros

• Very customizable and easy enough that you don’t need advanced DIY skills.
• Separating the units creates a more intentional, designed look with a functional space in between — it doesn’t feel like you just pushed storage into the corners.
• Painting only the doors and exterior means no worrying about scratching shelves, no waiting for paint to cure before loading it up, less paint cost, and a more durable finish where it actually matters.

The Cons

• The layout takes some thought. You can’t just plop two wardrobes in opposite corners and call it done — the spacing and placement need to feel intentional, or it looks random.

Cost Breakdown

IKEA PAX units (39″), doors & interior organizers	$1,245
Trim (base & crown)	$65
Paint	$50
Hardware	$40
TOTAL	~$1,400

A little more design planning upfront, but the result is a high-end-looking space that doesn’t cost a fortune. Great option for rooms where you want storage without the full built-in commitment.

Closet 4: Full IKEA PAX Closet — ~$4,080

When you don’t have any DIY skills, don’t want to build anything from scratch, and just want a closet that works — this is the move. Go full IKEA and add a few small upgrades with trim to elevate the look.

How We Built It

We assembled all the units and installed them directly over the existing carpet — no prep work, no carpet removal, no fuss. Then we added base trim, crown moulding, and vertical trim to cover the seams where units meet. The key to keeping this build manageable: we only painted the trim white to match the IKEA units.

The Pros

• Minimal DIY required. Minimal tools. Quick, straightforward assembly.
• Endless interior customization — drawers, shelving, accessories, organizers.
• By leaving the IKEA units white and painting only the trim, you save time, save money, reduce the risk of chipping, and avoid the risk of scratching things during assembly.

The Cons

• You can’t use every inch of space the way you can with a custom build. We had about a 6-inch gap between the PAX units and the wall, plus a gap up to the ceiling — but in a large closet, that lost space is not really missed.
• IKEA only offers three frame color options, so if you’re not painting, you’re working within those constraints. And if a specific item is out of stock, you’re building around availability.

Cost Breakdown

IKEA PAX units & interior components	$3,735
Trim (base, crown, vertical)	$295
Primer & paint	$50
TOTAL	~$4,080

If you want to push the easy button on this, there’s no shame in going full IKEA. A well-organized, well-trimmed PAX closet is a solid outcome — and it’s one you can actually pull off on a weekend without a lot of tools or experience.

Closet 5: Bold IKEA PAX + Custom Build — ~$3,070

This is the most recent build — and my favorite. We discovered a hidden space behind a wall in our existing closet, decided to knock it down and expand the whole thing, and ended up with a space that genuinely feels like a luxury closet.

The approach here was mostly IKEA with a custom shoe shelf built to fill the gaps the PAX units couldn’t reach, plus serious attention to trim and paint to make the whole thing feel designed and intentional.

How We Built It

We used six IKEA PAX units as the foundation, then built a custom shoe shelf to fill the space that PAX couldn’t cover. We installed base trim, vertical trim where the units met, and dentil crown moulding along the top. Then we color-drenched the entire closet in a bold historic colonial red — walls, units, trim, everything. Wallpaper on the ceiling for an extra layer of detail, and high-end organizers throughout.

The Pros

• We maximized every inch by combining IKEA with a small custom section to fill the gaps — the best of both approaches.
• The bold paint color makes the space feel designed, not just functional. It’s a room you actually want to spend time in.
• The trim makes it look like a true built-in. The organizers make it work in real life, not just look good in photos.

The Cons

• Painting IKEA units properly takes time and costs more than painting raw wood — you have to prep them correctly or the paint won’t stick and will chip.
• Without corner units, there’s some hidden storage in the corners — but the layout works well for how we actually use the space.

Cost Breakdown

IKEA PAX system (6 units, shelves, drawers, rods)	$2,305
Custom shoe cabinet (plywood & edge banding)	$180
Trim (base, vertical, dentil crown)	$200
Primer & paint	$168
Drawer pulls	$60
Wallpaper (ceiling)	~$157
TOTAL	~$3,070

This one took real time and skill. But the result is a luxury-feeling space for a fraction of what a custom closet company would charge for the same footprint.

Quick Comparison: All Five Closets at a Glance

Build	Cost	Skill Level	Best For
TARVA Dresser Build	~$1,357	Intermediate	Budget-first builds; max customization
PAX with Sliding Glass Doors	~$2,290	Beginner-friendly	Rooms without closets; polished look
Split PAX (Nursery)	~$1,400	Beginner-friendly	Kids’ rooms; flexible layouts
Full PAX Closet	~$4,080	Beginner-friendly	Large closets; minimal DIY
PAX + Custom (Bold)	~$3,070	Intermediate	Maximizing space; high-end results

So Which One Is Right for You?

It totally depends on your budget, your skill level, how much time you actually have, and what you’re willing to tackle. If you have a smaller budget and you’re willing to learn some DIY skills, the viral TARVA closet proves you can build something stunning for way less money if you’re willing to put in the work. You’re choosing to invest your time instead of your money. That’s a valid choice.

If you want ease and endless customization options, go with more IKEA. You can customize the interiors exactly to your needs and budget. You get flexibility without the construction headaches. If you have a piece you want to build around — a dresser you love, a cabinet, something you already own — use it. Work with what you have and save money doing it.

Here’s why IKEA keeps showing up in all my projects: You can go very basic and still have functional systems. Or you can go high-end with glass shelves, colored doors, textured finishes, and integrated lighting. It’s a solid foundation, which is exactly why I use it as the base for every closet project.

But here’s the thing… IKEA is just the starting point. What makes these closets actually feel custom? What makes them feel like they’re designed specifically for how you live? That’s where you come in. Add your own personality. Paint it a color you love. Add thoughtful DIY elements. Use power tools. Build the custom pieces that IKEA can’t do. Customize the interiors exactly how you need them. Utilize every inch of space. You don’t need to hire a closet company and drop $5,000, $8,000, or $10,000. You can build your dream closet yourself. You save so much money by doing the work yourself. And learning to use power tools and build things yourself is a skill that carries into everything. Your home, your confidence, what you think is possible.

Which of these five would you actually build in your home? If you’ve done an IKEA closet build or a custom closet hack, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Watch the Full Tutorials

Links to the full YouTube tutorials for each build:

TARVA Viral Closet — Part 1: youtu.be/–L2xAIV0Kg

TARVA Viral Closet — Part 2: youtu.be/ZHoNQ94vLGU

Built-In PAX Wardrobe with Sliding Doors: youtu.be/oSeKyQxtPsg

Nursery Split PAX Wardrobes: youtu.be/IxrzOHeQ0oc

Full IKEA PAX Closet: youtu.be/fE956C0Eofg

Bold IKEA PAX + Custom Build: https://youtu.be/Gy2ukMF3DQ8