Kura bed hack makeover from deep sea to outer space

Materials: Kura bed & Trofast steps

Description: To give you a bit of background, we moved into this house when Ebi-kun was 2 years old, it was perfect timing because he transitioned from co-sleeping to going to his own room. As he was only two, he didn'€™t have much say in the design and I did it with a "€˜under the sea" theme, Ikea helped a lot by having a lot of great fishy items at the time. (See original sea themed room here)

Now he is 7 and 2nd grade at school we decided he needed something a bit more grown up, he said he still liked the fish but it felt a bit babyish. So, we sat down and had a talk and decided on a space theme.

The top of the bed has wooden rails screwed to it then the space ship windows are made from orange plastic.

The side of the spaceship uses silver vinyl and the orange glittery door is fabric stuck on with strong glue - as is the triangle logo. The number plate is printed on sticker paper (I imagine I will have to replace that in time). The whole thing was nailed to the bed frame using round headed tacks.

The bed frame was painted with silver metallic acrylic paint as was the bookcase which also doubles as steps.

At the head of the bed are Stripa shelves - I'm not sure if these are still available, actually meant as picture shelves but they are the perfect size for precious bits and pieces!

See more of the Star Wars room.

~ Jo Ebisujima, Japan

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Kura bunk bed with underbed storage

Materials: 2 Kura bed, 2 Malm drawer

Description: We cut one of the structure of a Kura bed and we put it under a complete Kura bed.
Then we created the space under the structure for two drawers with wheels Malm.
We decorated with colored paper applied with spray glue.

~ Kiki&Zoe, Italy

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High sleeper bookshelf (KURA+RIBBA)

Materials: KURA + RIBBA + 3 screws

Description: My son was sometimes keeping books on his KURA high sleeper, but as he is a big boy now, he also needs his space in the bed.

I also had this RIBBA laying around and decided to add them together.

RESULT:
The RIBBA (mounted sideways) provides an excellent bookshelf! Books/Comics slide in and out easily.

A very simple IKEA hack, required:
1) KURA bed
2) RIBBA
3) three decent screws

Just mount the RIBBA to the KURA as shown in pictures.
I used a longer (190cm) RIBBA than is current sold in the (Dutch) IKEA, but a 115cm also works.
I shortened the RIBBA to make it fit exactly and put three screws in the existing holes of the RIBBA and... DONE!

~ remco, Netherlands

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Up the bed

Materials: Kura + Grankulla

Description: Basically I open the structure of the sofa Grankulla and put to Kura bed on it. I cut the excess wood and held these two with angle supports. Then I finished with wood footer around the structure, and that's all!!

~ Rui Ricardo, Lisbon, Portugal

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Kura bed to loft bed hack

Materials: Kura Bed, 3x2 Wood

Description: Please note, make sure you use strong enough fixings to secure the bed to the wall, if you are fixing to a plasterboard/drywall wall you will need to secure it to the studs, DO NOT SECURE IT TO THE PLASTERBOARD!!!!!!

I did this hack with the bed fully built and on my own, but you could modify it in pieces if you find it easier, and a second person would help make it easier, this took me about 3 hours but would be quicker if I had a second pair of hands. This need to be done in a corner of the room as you need 2 sides supported.

You will need.
1 x Kura Bed
1 x 3m length of wood (about 3" x 2"€)
Some suitable wall fixings and screws, and some basic tools.

1. Saw through the 5 upright supports just below the main bed section to leave the top part of the bed with the slats in place, if you're careful and use a hand saw you can saw all the legs and the bed just rests on top of the frame, the cuts should be flush with the bottom of the main bed section.

2. Lift off the top part of the bed and put to one side.

3. Take apart the remainder of the lower frame and ladder and put all the pieces to one side, making sure you know which parts are the original ladder treads.

4. Decide how tall you want the bed to be, I made the bottom of the bed 1.7m from the ground, (we have high ceilings) this is about as tall as you want to go, but you can go lower if you want, using a long level mark a straight level line along the wall at the height you decide the base of the bed to be (mark the longest side)

5. Cut a piece of your 3x2 wood to the same length as the bed (about 2.1m) I cut a slight angle on the exposed end so it looked nicer and less chance of hitting the corner with you head.

6. Pre drill about 6 pilot holes in the wood at regular intervals.

7. Hold the wood up to your line on the wall (this is where a second person would be helpful) and then using the pilot drill, drill through each hole so it marks the wall behind.

8. Now depending on the wall type either drill and fix wall plugs or if it'€™s a stud wall just pre drill a pilot hole. (An SDS Plus drill will give a nice accurate hole in solid walls, a hammer drill is rubbish and normally makes an oval hole, and takes 5 times a long to drill it)

9. Screw 6 screws part way into the wood so they just stick out the other side this will help line up the wood on the wall, offer it up to the wall and screw it on, check it'€™s nice and strong by hanging from it, if it moves you need to brush up on your DIY skills, ask your wife for some tips.

10. Repeat above steps for the shorter piece of wood to go along the other side, the left over piece of 3x2 should be the correct length already and has the correct angle on it as well.

11. Next you need to lift the bed up to the new wood supports and prop up the other side near where the ladder will be, I used an adjustable plasterboard prop to hold it up but a piece of wood will do, using a level get the bed nice and level and then prop it up.

12. Next take the two long pieces of wood from the base of the bed you disassembled earlier, this will form the new sides of the ladder, these will have a dowel in each end, find a small piece of the base which you can use to make the first run of the ladder, this goes flat on the floor so will be wider than the rest of the steps, you need to fit this piece temporarily to get the correct height (see photos of the ladder to see what I mean) once you have this in place offer it up to the bed and using a level check it is vertical and then measure and mark the height and cut it, repeat for the other side. (The ladder goes from the floor to the very top edge of the bed, its screwed to the front edge in order the make the bed more secure, and not fitted flush like it was originally, if you don't do this the side of the bed that stops you falling out will be too flimsy)

13. Once you have both sides cut you need to make the steps, you will have two steps from the old ladder to use as a guide to get the correct length, but you will need 2 or 3 more depending on the height you made the bed. Try to keep even spacing between the steps and keep the gap the same as the original ones to make climbing the ladder safe, this gap size was set by IKEA for a reason, best not to alter it.

14. Next is probably the hardest part, I cut the steps to length using the two originals as a guide, and then drilled holes in each for the dowels, if your careful you can re use some of the original holes and therefore use the original bolts and fixings for most of the steps, if you can’t use the original fixings just secure each step with 2 screws each side to stop it twisting, pre drill holes to avoid splitting the wood. I only had a few that I needed to screw.

15. To mark the step gaps out on the 2 uprights lay them side by side and then using a tape measure and square mark both pieces at the same time, then they will all line up.

16. Secure the steps to the ladder.

17. Once the ladder is built offer it up to the bed, check its still level then clamp the ladder to the bed and secure with 6 screws (3 on each side) you can also add some L brackets to the back of the ladder where it joins the bed if you want, I didn't but may do so in the future for peace of mind.

18. Now make sure the bed if fully pressed into the walls on both sides and secure it to the wooden wall supports by drilling some angled pilot holes from below, then you screw through the 3x2 at an angle so it also screws in the bed frame, do this about every 30cms on both edges.

19. All done, make sure it's sturdy, mine doesn'€™t move at all, even with me climbing the ladder, it's much stronger that it was originally, now settle to down to a nice dinner of meatballs and gravy, with added horse for flavour.

The desk below is all Ikea as well, Vika Amon tops secured to Besta shelf units on legs and a few Lack shelves.
Top tips for wood working and fixing screws is buy a cordless Impact driver, one you have used one of these you will never want to use a cordless drill again for putting in screws.

~ Mark, Essex, UK

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Kura Princess Bed

Materials: Kura bed, Tounge and Groove Cladding, Decorative mouldings, MDF, Joist Hangers

Description: Daughter wanted a princess bed so after seeing some other Kura hack, the "Geek with power tools" thought lets go.

Got the bed frame off eBay and then proceeded as follows :

!!SAND EVERYTHING before you build it.!!

#1 Build the frame with only the 3 NON ladder corners.

#2 Take the two bed lengths post and fix in place where the ladder would go. These act as the ladder and support for the floating side of the bed.

#3 Measure and fix 6 joist hangers on the wall where the long side will sit, and 4 for the head end of the bed.

#4 Lift the bed onto the joist hangers and tweak your levels.

#5 connect the post now sticking into the air with 45mm / 45mm timbers.

#6 Construct the roof by adding 45 degree timbers mitred into a rail on the wall.

#7 Clad the roof

#8 Clad the side panels using T&G and fixing with GRIP fill and clamps.

#9 Add mouldings around the exposed frames.

#10 Paint and stand back to admire :-)

~ Matt Williams, United Kingdom

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Fairy princess treehouse: KURA Bunk Beds with STUVA storage

Materials: 2 Kura beds, 3 Stuva drawers 60x35.

Description: Needed bunk beds for my twin daughters but already had a Kura bed that my son had been using. Decided to buy another Kura bed second hand and essentially used one complete and the base of another. In order to add storage, raised the height of base bed to accommodate 3 Stuva drawers that provide good deep storage. Both sections are fixed together with 6 coach bolts.

Both my daughters struggled with the built in stair so made a new ladder from wood taken from the 'help yourself bin' outside IKEA.

My wife added some wall stickers we bought from next.

We are calling it their fairy princess tree house.

~ Chris Kennedy, Innerleithen Scotland

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Kura Firetruck Bed

Materials: Kura Bed, 1/2 in MDF sheet, 1/4 in panels, 2x2, lights, switches, 120-to-12V adaptor, IKEA style screws and bolts, paint., reflectors, hose and faucet...

Description: We decided to buy the Kura bed to make a Firetruck bed for our toddler, trying to keep the original bed as intact as possible for when he outgrow the theme bed.

Steps :
1- Paint the blue sides of all panels Firetruck red with a roller.

2- Assemble bed, omitting the 3rd from bottom panel and the ladder steps - to avoid monkey climbing! (stored under the bed for future use)

3- Cut a MDF sheet in the desired form for the side of firetruck; we used the ladder sides to support the cabin "door" and left about 12-14 inches at the end to allow easy entry for a toddler. We decided on a partial side for the ease of bed making and putting a sleeping kid to bed. To design it, I printed the Kura bed image repeatedly on a paper and drew right on it until we were happy with the look of it!

4- To support the side, use the ladder and we made and "F" out of 2x2 and used the actual holes for the ladder step to anchor it to the left. We drill into the frame to anchor it down. We tried to limit the number of holes drilled and we used bolt and screws with similar IKEA hexagon head shape for the look. Note that kids will climb on it, so secure it well! Cut the window. We didn't put a door because I was afraid of fingers stuck in it... But with a door, the side would be sturdier as an horizontal 2x2 could be fixed to the ladder holes on both sides of the bed.

5- Created a thick but hollow panel to put the headlights and flashers in. Wires run on the wall side of the frame of the bed and connect in the overhead control panel.

6- Create a triangular shape out of 2x2, top is a 1/4 and overhead inclined control panel is the same as the side (1/2 in MDF).

7- We both know electronics so we decided on functional lights and switches. We opted for light only, no backing sound nor siren because we value our sleep! ;) Go with LED since they do not heat...

8- Decorate with bike reflectors, a real hose and faucets (attached to the internal "F" support made in 2x2), 1/4 thick wheels and front grill painted. I started a Firetruck sign for the door, but its not painted yet. For the glossy finish, my husband polish the hell out of it!

Total cost around 150-200$ without the bed and labor. The sturdiness was kept so it will be able to be turn as a bunk bed too later... Not a cheap as a plastic firetruck bed, but it was fun to build and it might be used until he move out?

~ Caroline Côté, Montréal, Québec, Canada

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KURA Bunk Bed

Photo: IKEA.com

Materials: 2x KURA Reversible bed, Allen wrench, screw diver and drill.

Description: We wanted to upgrade our KURA Reversible bed into a bunk bed, so our littlest(3) could sleep underneath and we could still help our oldest(6) into bed when he is sick or already asleep.

We decided we would just buy a second KURA and use its parts to convert ours into a bunk that looked like stock and not like crap.

Parts used from second set. Corner legs with most holes. Rails with cutout for panels. Panels.

Everything fit pretty mush as expected. The lower bunk upper rail that goes into the ladder required a bit of drilling. This piece mounts upside down and would be offset by an inch. So drilling it open a bit allowed to use the link that connects it to the ladder railing.

Also, since this rail is upside down (to hold panel) a hole on the opposite end coner leg was added so we could use the mounting bolt for it.

Other then that, it was pretty straight forward.
Looks like it was meant to be like this and didn't take us long to modify.

~ AL, Chicago

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The Dog Suite

Materials: Kura bed with mattress and slatted bed base, Dioder multipurpose lighting, Expedit shelf, wire cubes, zip ties, paint

Description: I wanted a bigger cage for my dog that I could turn into her own room. I wanted a cage big enough to provide enough space for her bed, toys, food/water, etc. The Kura bed allowed me to create a cage with a guest bed on top for when our nieces and nephews visit.

1. Assemble Kura bed so that the bed is on top
2. Paint the wood the color of your choice
3. Using Dioder multipurpose lighting, screw the light under every other slate under the bed

4. Use crate material of your choice and zip tie or nail into place. I picked up cheap wire cube assembly at a garage sale and zip tied the panels together.
5. Remove one of the legs from the ladder to create a door. Screw in basic cabinet hinges and place an Expedit shelf for the door. I actually found a piece of wood from the Handyman section at the Ikea store that fit nicely and was priced at $0.30.
6. Add a creative charm and write your dog's name on the panel. I picked up cheap wooden letters and tied red yarn around them.

Easy and creative! My dog loves her new room and has plenty of space to stretch, sleep, eat, and play while we are gone at work.

~ Pete Smidt, Chicago

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Ikea Kura Bed....better as a Surf Shack

Materials: I kea Kura bed, vinyl lettering/design & Maxtrix Bed curatins

Description: So I love the Ikea Kura bed.....now! We were moving our 2 1/2 year old to a big boy bed & we wanted something fun & functional! Who doesn't? We didn't want to spend $1000 on a bed, so after seeing a few inspirational posts on here I got to work.

I contacted Good Golly Graphics on Etsy to come up with a custom design ($50) and measured the Maxtrix loft bed curtains and got those online from ekidsrooms.com ($99) and put that together with the Ikea Kura bed for ($200) and you've got yourself a fun little bed that any kid would love and we saved tons.

Our son transitioned well & loves his new bed. Ikea does advise that under 6 years old not sleep up top however we made the call to override that knowing our child & that it wouldn't be a problem. I think my research and creativity paid off & hope I can inspire others to save & think outside the "$1000 box" :-)

~ Denise Smith, Lutz, Fl

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Space saving kids triple bunk beds

Materials: Kura bed frame

Description: In order to save space in our children's bedroom, my husband and I decided that a triple bunk bed was required.

We purchased two Kura bed frames from Ikea. First we measured the two frames and cut one down to ensure that the three beds would be equal distance apart.

Next we drilled into the top four corners of one bed and four base legs of the second. We inserted steel rods into the holes to link and secure the two frames together.

We purchased the same side panels to match the surround of the bed and made a base with sides on the very bottom bunk.

So we were left with a bed and base at the bottom, a bed and base in the centre and a bed and base at the top.

Our three children were over the moon with their new beds as the all had the own storage and cleared the floor for some much needed 'play area'.

~ Gemma & John Robins, Essex

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Hacker help: Any ideas for the KURA tent?

Photo: IKEA.com

Materials: Kura Bed tent

Description: I have the Kura bed, but don't what to use the tent, because I want to put some shelves to the walls. What else can I do with the tent?

~ Maija K., Finland

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Kura & Maskros Hacks are the highlight of the new room for our 4 girls!

Photo: IKEA.com

Materials: Kura Beds & Maskros Light

Description: When we were looking for ideas for our girls' new room I was inspired by another hack I saw on Ikea Hackers for the Kura beds.

We started with two Kura beds (both found on Craigslist!), painted them black while they were unassembled and built the platforms and drawers out of painted plywood.

The drawers are on wheels and go all the way to the back of the bed so they provide a LOT of storage! The curtains for the bottom bunks are just held on with tension rods.

I spray painted the "flowers" on the Maskros light before assembling it.

The pictures on the top of the walls are the IKEA $2.99 framed mirrors. We put black and white pictures on top of the mirrors to make them look like framed prints.

~ Christy Stone

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Kura bed cottage hack

Materials: KURA BED, MDF

Description: All you need is an Ikea Kura bed, turned on its upside, so the mattress is at the lowest point.

Cut the mdf to the right length (for the front side), mark a halfway point and this is where the point of the roof is.

Cut with a jigsaw or circular saw and place behind the bars of the bed and secure with screws.

Do the same to the rear side of the bed and secure to the bars of the bed. You won't need one for the end of the bed as it's already enclosed. Leave the other one open as you will need to fit the mattress in!

Secure all sides of the bed with corner brackets for extra security and sturdiness!

For the roof, you need to measure 2 pieces of wood that slightly overlap the sides and with small nails secure into the sides of the mdf. Once secure use small screws around the edges, do this for both sides.

Inside the bed, you need 2 angled flat brackets to connect to 2 parts of the roof together.

Once you have the main unit, you need a jigsaw to cut windows and doors.

Use thin bits of wood to create some definition on window frames and other parts!

And it's as easy a that!

~ Emily Howard, Essex, UK

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Bed in the air!

SAFETY WARNING: This hack is not proven to be safe. Do not attempt to replicate this unless you have a professional to ensure that it is structurally sound and safe for a child's use. ~ Jules

***

Materials: Kura bed - Sniglar changing table

Description: During last year's house renovation, we created a new room for our son. The problem we faced was that his IKEA Kura bed could not fit inside the new room. So I decided to modify the Kura bed.

The modification involved three stages:
Firstly the bed had to be raised high enough so that the door of the bedroom could open without issues.

Secondly the bed had to be shortened by 8cm in length so it could fit near the wardrobe. And finally the bed had to be made safer because of the new height.

For the first step I started by dismantling the bed from the old bedroom. Then I went to a local shop and bought 2 new wooden legs in order to provide to the bed the required height. Two of the old wooden legs of the bedroom were put together and formed the third led. Since I did not wanted the fourth leg to be in the middle of the bedroom I decided to hang the fourth corner of the bed by the ceiling. I used heavy duty chain, which was attached to the bed by three screws and from the ceiling by two heavy duty metal hooks.

The second step was performed in parallel with the first. As I said the bed had to be shortened by 8cm. In order to do that I used and electric saw to cut the wood and an electric drill in order to make the new holes for the existing screws that were originally used in the bed.

The last step was to attach a safety banister. For that part I used an old IKEA Sniglar changing table which was not useful anymore. Using parts from the changing table I constructed the safety banister which was attached to the bed as shown in the photos.

The final thing to do was the attachment of a new ladder in order to make climbing and descending easier.

All legs of the bed were secured firmly in the walls. It is impossible to move the bed at all.

For this project I have spent about 8 hours. The tricky part was to be able to lift the bed since I was did all the work by myself. The solution was to assemble each side of the bed separately and then attach all sides together.

This solution provided extra playing space for my son in his bedroom. He enjoys his new room and his modified bed for more than a year now. Friends and family have been impressed by the result, especially the younger children.

~ Ioannis, Athens, Greece

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