Top 12 Ikea Hacks for Play Rooms, Nurseries, and Kids' Rooms

Written by
Kitty Lascurain
Kitty Lascurain is a journalist with over a decade of experience writing about parenting, travel, and interior design.
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Kitty Lascurain
Updated 09/28/20
Interior design of a kindergarten classroom
Rawpixel / Getty Images

Ikea is a modern wonder. Sure, you can lose a whole day in that place, and furniture assembly is challenging, but when it comes to getting high-style for low cost, it’s pretty darn hard to beat.

Whether you’re decorating on a budget or just love a good DIY, these stylish and affordable Ikea hacks for nurseries and kids’ rooms are guaranteed to please.

  • 01 of 12

    Bookshelf Turned Storage Bench

    Ikea bookshelf and bench hack
    Mommy Vignettes

    This tutorial to transform a bookshelf into seating requires no sewing! Turn a ​​Kallax shelving unit that costs about $50 into a beautifully personalized nursery bench with built-in ​storage for toys or clothes.​

    Continue to 2 of 12 below.
  • 02 of 12

    Posh Upholstered Rocker Hack

    DIY upholstered rocker Ikea hack
    Interiors by Kenz

    Elegant wingback rockers are a chic and comfortable alternative to a traditional nursery glider, but the price tag - usually around $1,000 - will hit you hard. Looking for a more reasonable option? See how one ambitious DIYer turned an inexpensive Ikea chair into a $335 dream rocker. 

    Continue to 3 of 12 below.
  • 03 of 12

    Fresh Print Poang Chair

    DIY Poang chair cover
    Stickelberry

    Available in both a rocker and stationary chair, Ikea's budget-friendly Poang is a popular choice for the nursery. Want to make it customize it? Learn how to create your own slipcover with ​​this detailed tutorial.

    Continue to 4 of 12 below.
  • 04 of 12

    DIY Drawing Table

    Child coloring on a small drawing table made from an Ikea Latt table set
    Freckles Chick

    Create your own charming art table, complete with chalkboards, drawing roll, and art supplies, using Ikea's wallet-conscious Latt table and chair set for toddlers.

    Continue to 5 of 12 below.
  • 05 of 12

    Upholstered Upgrade

    Ikea Latt chair with a DIY upholstery upgrade
    All About Ami

    Keep those sweet little cheeks happy with ​this padded seat upgrade for the Latt chair.

    Continue to 6 of 12 below.
  • 06 of 12

    Money-Saving Gallery Wall

    DIY gallery wall hack using $2 MALMA mirrors from IKEA
    Atkinson Drive.

    Gallery walls are a great way to personalize your nursery, but at around $5 to $10 a pop, those individual picture frames start to add up. Need a money-saving alternative? Learn how to repurpose Ikea Malma mirrors as $2 picture frames!

    12 Great Design Ideas for Gallery Walls
    Continue to 7 of 12 below.
  • 07 of 12

    Spice Rack Bookshelves

    DIY book rail hack made using $5 spice racks from Ikea
    Impressions by Jani

    These low-profile, space-saving bookshelves are actually painted ​​spice racks from Ikea's Bekvam collection. Think that’s unbelievable? Try the price: just $5 each! 

    Continue to 8 of 12 below.
  • 08 of 12

    Changing Table Storage Rail

    Ikea's Fintorp storage rack being used for diaper storage
    XO Jordan

    Originally intended to keep spices and cooking utensils close at hand in the kitchen, the Fintorp storage rail also makes for a handy changing table storage system. Simply choose the accessories that work for you! 

    Continue to 9 of 12 below.
  • 09 of 12

    Rolling Retro Diaper Caddy

    Ikea's Raskog utility cart in turquoise being used as a diaper caddy
    Style Me Pretty

    Ikea’s versatile Raskog utility cart, painted in cheery turquoise, makes for the perfect rollaway diaper caddy. Stuff it full of changing table essentials, and wheel it to wherever the action is!

    Continue to 10 of 12 below.
  • 10 of 12

    DIY Co-Sleeper

    Snigler crib Ikea hack cosleeper
    Amanda Medlin

    Letting baby bunk in? Using Ikea’s simple and affordable Sniglar crib, recreate this sweet crib with a detailed co-sleeper tutorial that comes with important safety instructions. There are tons of options for crib bedding that match your own sheets.

    Continue to 11 of 12 below.
  • 11 of 12

    Baby-Friendly Bunk

    Baby-friendly bunk bed hack using Ikea's Mydal bunk bed
    Apartment Therapy

    Short on space? One urban mother of three made room for her fourth child by transforming her sons' Mydal bed frame into a baby-friendly bunk bed.

    Continue to 12 of 12 below.
  • 12 of 12

    Amazing Kura Bed Hacks

    Kura bed
    IKEA

    Looking for more ideas? You won't believe the possible budget-savvy parenting hacks with Ikea’s basic Kura bed frame!