Start With: Ribba Frame

Ribba Frame in White [2] ($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 [3] 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 [4] ($20)

Turn It Into: The Cutest Scandinavian Kiddie Seating Solution

We're simply in love with this Latt set makeover [5] 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 [6] ($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 [7] 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 [8] ($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 [9] route instead. Starting with the Ikea PS cabinet, she transformed it with a faux patina finish [10] to get the look — for a whole lot less.

Start With: Grundtal Mirror

Stainless Steel Grundtal Mirror [11] ($35)

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 [12] with a nautical vibe — perfect for a nursery or little boy's room.

Start With: Lack Coffee Table

Lack Coffee Table [13] ($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 [14] offers an inexpensive alternative that gets the job done in style. (Side note: Ikea sells a 20-piece wooden train set [15] for $10 — the same cost as one "Thomas" character!)

Start With: Lappljung Ruta Pillow

Lappljung Ruta Pillow [16] ($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 [17] that could be used on an armchair, glider, or bed.

Start With: The Tarva 3-Drawer Chest

Tarva 3-Drawer Chest in Pine [18] ($80)

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 [19] 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 [20] ($25)

Turn It Into: A Fun Washi-Tape Creation

There's no paint required for this supereasy washi-tape stool makeover [21]. 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

Tarva Six-Drawer Chest in Pine [22] ($149)

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 [23] inspired by a much pricier piece from Room & Board.

Photo: Lauren Turner