Ikea Hacks For Kids Rooms
10 Ikea Hacks That'll Totally Transform Your Kids' Rooms
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Thanks to Pinterest and some supersavvy bloggers, Ikea has gone from serving as a big-box resource for reasonably priced household basics to a DIY-lover's dream come true. One could easily get lost in the endless world of genius high-design "Ikea hacks" floating around the web, but we've honed in on 10 of our favorites. Each of these easy (or easy-ish) projects is designed to elevate your kids' rooms or nurseries from drab to fab. Pick one, and see what you can create this weekend!
Start With: Ribba Frame
Ribba Frame in White ($20)
Turn It Into: These Custom-Looking Lined Frames
Kirsten at 6th Street Design School sprayed the inside of Ikea's Ribba frames with primer before painting to ensure that the paint would adhere. The finished look of the artwork in her little boy's room is much closer to what you'd get from a custom framer than a $20 grab-and-go find!
Start With: Latt Children's Table and Chair Set
Latt Table and Chairs ($20)
Turn It Into: The Cutest Scandinavian Kiddie Seating Solution
We're simply in love with this Latt set makeover featured on Apartment Therapy. Transform a drab and simple set into something that's the focal point of your playroom.
Start With: Mydal Bunk Bed Frame
Mydal Bunk Bed in Pine ($159)
Turn It Into: A Chic and Cheerful Double-Decker
This little girl's bedroom in her family's Boston loft features the most colorful transformation of the Mydal bunk bed you'll ever see. Other than the basic construction of the bed, there's nothing too DIY-y about it. Her savvy mom (it helps that she's the creative director of an online design/gift shop) just mixed and matched the bedding on the two bunks — including a cheery Marimekko spread on the bottom — for a really fun and playful look.
Start With: Ikea PS Cabinet
Ikea PS Cabinet ($99)
Turn It Into: An Industrial-Inspired Storage Solution
Tricia of Simplicity in the South was inspired by Restoration Hardware's industrial-chic (but superpricey!) steel cabinets and decided to go the DIY route instead. Starting with the Ikea PS cabinet, she transformed it with a faux patina finish to get the look — for a whole lot less.
Start With: Grundtal Mirror
Turn It Into: A Round Rope Mirror
With just a bit of creativity and elbow grease, the superbasic Grundtal mirror is transformed into an industrial rope mirror with a nautical vibe — perfect for a nursery or little boy's room.
Start With: Lack Coffee Table
Lack Coffee Table ($20)
Turn It Into: A Bargain of a Train Table
If you've ever been in the market for a toy-train table, you know that they don't come cheap. But the simple tutorial on Sweet Bella Roos offers an inexpensive alternative that gets the job done in style. (Side note: Ikea sells a 20-piece wooden train set for $10 — the same cost as one "Thomas" character!)
Start With: Lappljung Ruta Pillow
Lappljung Ruta Pillow ($10, available in-store only)
Turn It Into: An Embellished Pom-Pom Pillow
Bleach was the magic potion that transformed the Lappljung Ruta pillow into this chic and cheerful cushion that could be used on an armchair, glider, or bed.
Start With: The Tarva 3-Drawer Chest
Turn It Into: A Glam Ombré Chest
The Tarva three-drawer chest is functional, but to be honest, it's also pretty boring. Turn it into a trendy study in ombré with this easy tutorial from Why Don't You Make Me? We love this for a nursery, and it could easily grow along with your little one.
Start With: Bekvam Step Stool
Bekvam Step Stool ($25)
Turn It Into: A Fun Washi-Tape Creation
There's no paint required for this supereasy washi-tape stool makeover. It adds a fun pop of color, whether your kids use their step stools in their bedrooms, playrooms, or to reach the bathroom sink.
Tarva Six-Drawer Chest
Turn It Into: A Midcentury Modern Masterpiece
One of our very own editors gave new life to the six-drawer Tarva with a midcentury modern makeover inspired by a much pricier piece from Room & Board.
Photo: Lauren Turner
