Budget friendly small closet makeover with IKEA AURDAL

Inspired by how I reorganized Avais’s closet, my friend Fareena reached out to me to ask if I could help her with her spare room’s closet space. This guest room often hosts her mother who stays for extended time. Fareena needs a closet to accommodate her long term guest. In the future, this bedroom will be converted to her son’s room. Any solution we picked would have to stand the test of time.

When I was looking for a functional and stylish wardrobe organization system for a small closet, I stumbled upon the IKEA AURDAL. IKEA AURDAL is a small, reach-in closet organization option. The IKEA AURDAL closet is a budget-friendly that doesn’t compromise on quality or customization and really allowed me to maximize the space. It’s a win-win-win!

You all know how much I love my IKEA PAX closet system. If you’re debating between IKEA PAX and AURDAL, I have an in-depth blog post comparing cost, function, quality and more!

IKEA AURDAL System: A Budget-Friendly Gem

Firstly, let’s talk about how the IKEA AURDAL ticks the boxes on affordability and functionality in the realm of closet storage. Designed to cater to small closet spaces, this system offers a cost-effective solution without compromising on the flexibility to personalize your storage needs. If you’re wondering how it compares to the IKEA PAX, take a look at this more detailed post.

In our quest for a budget-friendly closet makeover, the IKEA AURDAL system emerged as a clear winner. With its affordable price point, customizable features, and a sleek design, it exceeded expectations. So, let’s take a look at how I used the IKEA AURDAL storage solution to give this small closet a much needed makeover.

Dimensions of IKEA AURDAL

Before picking up any closet system, make sure it fits. The AURDAL can also be stacked with the frames next to each other, or have rods on either side. It can also be personalized with shelves, drawers or shoe shelves.

AURDAL wardrobe sizes

Height: 87” 
Frame Width: 24 ⅝”
Depth minimum: 15 ¾”

Creating a Custom Closet on a Budget

This small closet really needed help. Fareena found that, despite it’s size, it became a dumping ground for tons of things in her house. This is not what she wanted for this space.

In order to redesign the closet, I needed a completely empty space. This meant removing the existing bar, shelf and cleating. I used my prybar and a hammer to help pry the existing shelf off the wall.

It took a bit of work but was definitely worth it. Once this was done, I took time to fill the holes and touch up the paint. I recommend doing this before you get started on putting in new shelving since it really give you a clean, blank slate. And really, when else are you going to do that?

Step 1: Installing the IEKA AURDAL frame

I really like the mounting system. The bracket goes into two studs and it’s easy to find them because the bracket has holes all along the back.

Unlike many other organization systems I’ve built with IKEA, the IKEA AURDAL is built vertically, so you don’t put it together laying down. Once the bracket are secured into the studs, the middle unit can attach to the bracket. Two vertical pieces go up first, then you can add the top and bottom of the frame.

Because there are no rear legs, you don’t need to remove the baseboards for the frame to sit flush on the back of the closet. You can use adjustors on the feet to make the unit level.

Step 2: Assembling the drawers

Putting the drawers together comes next. The drawers themselves are made of metal, which is different from many other cabinet drawers, which are usually MDF. But they are really easy to assemble. Each drawer took under 5 minutes to assemble. No joke!

Step 3: Installing the IKEA AURDAL drawers

Although there is an online AURDAL planner, it’s limitation is that it doesn’t tell you which holes to install the drawers. I examined the book to understand the drawer installation. Here’s my tips:

• Install the drawers from the bottom to the the top
• The bottom drawer slides should be installed 6 holes from the bottom
• The middle drawer slides should be installed 9 holes from the bottom drawer slides
• The top drawer should be installed at least 3 holes below the shelf to have enough clearance to easily open/close the drawer

Step 4: Hanging up the rods

You need to be careful of the measurements of this closet. The minimum width for this type of orientation is 68 ½ inches long. I didn’t realize so we couldn’t actually use those IKEA clothes hanger rods. Instead, I went to Home Depot and bought dowels and brackets there.

I installed the brackets into the middle unit, and on the wall. Use anchors on the wall if you can’t find a stud.

And voilà! That’s it!

The IKEA AURDAL is a great solution for small, reach-in closets. If you wanted to personalize it a bit more, you could also add some knobs or handles to the closet drawers to really give it some style.

IKEA AURDAL – A budget-friendly win for small closet designs

Our DIY closet makeover journey with the IKEA AURDAL system proved to be a game-changer. With easy-to-follow instructions, assembling the components was a breeze. The system’s modular nature allowed us to tailor the configuration to suit our storage requirements perfectly. From clothing racks to shelving units and drawers, each element seamlessly integrated to maximize functionality.

The icing on the cake with this IKEA system is that it was really easy to assemble by myself. No need to trouble any reluctant assistants for this build!

For those seeking to transform a small closet into a personalized haven without breaking the bank, the IKEA AURDAL system is an excellent choice. Elevate your storage with this DIY project that combines practicality with style! You can totally create a closet that not only meets your organizational needs but also reflects your unique taste. #IKEACloset #ClosetMakeover

What do you think? Is this a storage solution you would use for your space?