10 Easy Ways To Jazz Up Your Ikea Kura Bed

Last Updated on 2 weeks ago by Maria Gonzalez

At $179, the IKEA Kura bed has become a go-to choice for budget-conscious parents who love clean Scandinavian design but still want something practical, safe, and long-lasting for their child’s bedroom. Its reversible design is what really sets it apart: you can build the bed low to the ground for toddlers and young children, or flip it into a raised platform bed that instantly creates usable space underneath.

With the bed positioned at floor level, the Kura works as a low-profile toddler bed with a protective surrounding frame, making it a popular first “big kid” bed for babies transitioning out of a cot. Built in reverse, it transforms into an elevated sleep platform, leaving room below for a play area, reading nook, cubby house, or even a future bunk-bed setup. This flexibility is a big reason the Kura consistently ranks as one of IKEA’s best-selling kids beds worldwide.

The simple pine frame and minimalist silhouette mean the Kura fits effortlessly into modern, neutral, boho, and Scandinavian-style interiors. More importantly for parents, it’s designed to grow with your child, reducing the need to replace furniture every few years—something that makes it especially appealing for families decorating on a budget.

Where the Kura really shines, though, is as a blank canvas for customization. Its straightforward construction makes it one of the easiest IKEA pieces to hack. With a few well-chosen upgrades—think curtains, canopies, storage additions, paint finishes, lighting, or themed panels—you can create a custom children’s bed that looks high-end without the high price tag. These simple IKEA Kura hacks work just as beautifully for boys’ rooms as they do for girls’, and they can be updated as your child’s tastes change.

And once you start IKEA hacking, it’s hard to stop. Parents who customize the Kura often go on to upgrade other pieces in the room too—KALLAX storage units, IVAR shelves, toy storage, or even the IKEA play kitchen—creating a cohesive, designer-style kids’ bedroom for less.

The result? A space that feels personal, practical, and thoughtfully designed—without blowing the family budget.

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Change the colour

Painting the Ikea Kura gives it a completely different look. Combine with the theme of the bedroom to make an overall functional, space-saving setup that feels magical, intentional, and perfectly suited for both playtime and wind-down moments.

The Fast DIY

A woodland bed decal is one of the fastest DIY upgrades you can make in a child’s bedroom—and it delivers instant impact without the mess, cost, or commitment of a full makeover.

Create a cubby hole

This IKEA KURA glow-up is low effort, high impact — and honestly, it eats. The KURA is flipped, then leveled up with a sheet MDF cubby front featuring a big round cut-out, turning the space underneath into the ultimate secret hideaway. Add IKEA TROFAST stairs on the side and suddenly it’s giving built-in storage, cozy nook, and cool-kid energy all at once. The soft green panel keeps things calm and aesthetic (no loud plastic vibes), while the natural wood makes it look way more expensive than it is. Simple materials, smart choices, and a layout that makes parents proud and kids obsessed — this is exactly the kind of hack that goes viral for a reason.

The Fast DIY

Adding curtains does the same job.

Transforming a child’s bedroom is easy with this kura curtain.  With its simple yet sturdy design, the KURA bed serves as the perfect foundation for crafting a magical space within your child’s room.

Use the underneath as storage

Top Tip:
The IKEA IVAR fits perfectly underneath — like it was made for the space. No gaps, no wasted room, just clean, built-in vibes

Add a bed canopy

A canopy instantly levels up the IKEA KURA. It softens the frame, adds cozy vibes, and turns a basic loft bed into a statement piece kids actually get excited about. Simple upgrade, big impact.

Add a decal

Customize with greenery

Add a staircase

Top Tip:
IKEA TROFAST units make a brilliant staircase for the KURA — safer than a ladder, packed with storage, and they give the bed that built-in, custom look you little one will love.

Make it Montessori

A Montessori bed keeps things low, calm, and kid-led. It gives little ones independence, makes the room feel cozy and safe, and fits perfectly with that clean, aesthetic, no-stress vibe.

Easier DIY

Hanging a curtain rail to the wall and draping a curtain over not only give Montessori vibes, but adds a dreamy feel.

This curtain can be found over on Etsy

Natural cane

Add natural cane covering the white panels give the bed a complete new look. These stickers give the look with a lot less effort. Finish the room of with a matching lamp and bedside table.

A Rainbow Wall Sticker

A rainbow wall sticker instantly lifts the room and makes it so bright, cheerful and on trend.

Chalk Board Paint Trend

This is one your kids will love. To make life easier you can buy Chalkboard Contact Paper Roll that you can cut and stick in the white areas of the bed. 

Filling in the gaps with plywood

This gives an amazing skandi look and is so easy to achieve, using plywood to fill in the gaps. Using the right wooden look vinyl would also give a similar look.

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And more hacks……..

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I hope these have given you some inspiration for your next Kura project. Its amazing what look can be achieved with a little paint and sticking. For best results stick to one colour scheme and theme with a few co-ordinating accessories.

Keep in mind the growth of your child. There are some really cute almost nursery style themes, but these may not be suited to a 7 year old. Take pepa pig for instance, my babies were only in to pepa for 2 years between the ages of 3 and 5. While they would still be able to sleep in a Kura bed now at ages 6 and 7.