Assembly reveals the starkest workflow contrast between the systems. IKEA PAX demands substantial floor real estate during construction. The 93-inch tall carcasses must be assembled flat on the floor before being tilted upright, requiring a minimum ceiling height of 96 inches for diagonal clearance. If ceiling height is tight, builders must assemble the carcass upright, a slow process requiring two people to hold 40-pound side panels while tightening cam locks.
Squareness is unforgiving with PAX. If diagonal measurements across the carcass differ by as little as 3 mm before nailing the backer board into place, Komplement organizers, especially soft-closing drawer glides and pull-out trouser hangers, will bind against the interior walls. Baseboards also present an obstacle: unless you trim your room's floor molding, PAX carcasses stand off from the wall, requiring custom shims behind the anti-tip anchor brackets.
Elfa eliminates floor-squaring issues entirely. The top track requires one level reference line drawn along the upper perimeter of the wall. Once you secure that track across at least two wall studs using structural wood screws, the vertical standards hang freely. The bottom standards anchor with lightweight drywall toggles purely to prevent lateral shifting. Uneven floors, thick baseboards, and bowed plaster walls do not interfere with bracket alignment or drawer operations.
