It's all change at IKEA

IKEA have changed two of their best sellers. Lets take a look at the changes and what they mean for you.

Firstly lets talk about IKEA's ever-popular PAX wardrobe.

PAX Key Features:

• Easier to assemble than before

• Two extra adjustable feet

• Skirting board spacers

• Unfinished look

• Two extra adjustable feet

• Skirting board spacers

• Heavy panels

Easier to assemble than before. The modular IKEA PAX wardrobe has been a hit due to its ability to be as individual as you are. Thankfully this hasn't changed. But what has changed is the way the frames are assembled. Previously, you would need a Philips screwdriver and hammer, but not any more!

Due to the new foldable system, where the back and sides are joined together with a rubbery, glue-like strip, you simply open out the sides, slot the feet, plinths and top & bottom panels in place. This is undoubtedly easier, and IKEA state on their website that the “PAX wardrobe frame is easy to assemble, disassemble and reassemble without tools”, however, I'm unsure as to how well the rubbery foldable sections will stand the test of time in comparison with the tried and tested method of nailing the back in place. But, it does come with a 10 year guarantee.

Two extra adjustable feet. There are some positives, other than the ease of assembly. The PAX wardrobes now come with four adjustable feet (one in each corner), rather than just two at the front of the wardrobe. This allows for more exact levelling on uneven floors.

Skirting board spacers. There are also adjustable spacers so the wardrobes can be fixed to a wall with or without skirting boards – Well done IKEA! This was certainly lacking with the old PAX frames.

Unfinished look. Instead of nailing the back panel in place along the top, bottom and sides, the back panel is now held in place by two plastic fixings at both the top and bottom and this leaves a visible gap which is slightly unsightly and looks somewhat unfinished.

Heavy panels. Finally, there is one more drawer back. Because the two side panels are fixed together along with the back panel, this section is twice as heavy as one single side alone. This becomes more of a challenge when carrying the parts upstairs, especially with the taller 236cm frames.

Assemble My Wardrobe

Lets take a look at the Malm drawers replacement, the Storklinta.

Storklinta Key Feaures:

• Styling

• Sizes

• Anti-topple

• Drawer bases

Styling. The Storklinta looks very much like its predecessor, but the tops of the drawers have a more curved lip for your fingers to grip easily when opening the drawers.

Sizes. There is slight variation with the sizes. The overall sizes are slightly shorter, slightly narrower and very slightly deeper. The most popular three drawer Malm chest measures 80cm wide, 48cm deep and 78cm tall, in comparison to the Storklinta three drawer chest which measures 70cm wide, 50cm deep and 75cm tall.

Anti-topple. Like all other drawers from IKEA, the new Storklinta has wall fixing brackets, but it also comes with a new device which restricts more than one drawer to open at a time. This stops multiple drawers from being opened at the same time, reducing the transfer of weight to the front and the risk of the drawers toppling over.

Drawer bases. The wide Malm drawers had a metal bar fixed underneath the drawer base to add strength and stop the drawers from sagging. The Storklinta drawers don't use a metal bar for added strength. Instead the drawers have thicker base panels.

Overall, the Storklinta drawers are no doubt going to be a hit for IKEA and a good replacement for the ever popular Malm series especially as the prices are the same as before.

Assemble My Drawers