Loft Bed? It’s So Much More! IKEA KURA Bed Hacks Roundup

My son had a loft bed in his room for a long time because it was the best way to keep his room feeling more spacious.

Under the bed, he created a comfy reading zone, and when he had a friend sleep over, we stuck an air mattress underneath to make a temporary bunk bed.

This was years ago, and I admit I didn’t know about the KURA back then; if I had, I’m pretty sure I would have tried one of these IKEA KURA hacks.

Especially since the KURA can flip-flop from a low bed, perfect for a toddler, to a loft bed as your child gets older.

A Closer Look at the IKEA KURA Bed

The IKEA KURA reversible loft bed is a popular pick for young kids, especially when you’re working with a smaller room. It’s affordable at $299.99, plus it’s a money-saver since you don’t have to buy another bed when you’re ready to transition your child from a low bed to a loft.

Once you’re ready to enter loft mode, all you need to do is flip the bed upside-down. The loft bed maximizes space, opening up the floor below for reading, play, or even an extra sleep spot.

Many creative DIYers latched onto this feature and expanded on it, hacking the KURA into bunk beds, extra storage, or an enhanced playtime experience.

Turning the KURA Into Storage Bunk Beds

When it comes to making the most of a small room, anytime you can get furniture that pulls double duty, it’s a win. These hacks focus on turning the KURA into bunk beds and adding storage, too, so you get more bang for your buck in the same amount of floor space.

Attach the KURA to the MALM

IKEA KURA Bed hacks — Photo Credit Uta Moncur

This hack combines pieces from two IKEA collections to create a bunk bed with storage. Uta Moncur attached the KURA loft to the MALM twin bed storage drawers and bed slats.

Gani also combined MALM and KURA to create space-saving beds and storage. As it turns out, this is a pretty popular hack. It kind of makes you wonder why IKEA didn’t go ahead and make something like this.

Add a Bed, Drawers, and Steps

Lorenzo assembled this double-decker bed so his sons would have more space in their shared room. The storage bunk offers ample places for the kids to stow toys, books, clothes, and other items, and the lower bed is ideal for a younger, smaller child.

Create a Team Up With TROFAST

Gray children's bunk bed with stairs and built-in storage drawers, lower bunk with plaid gray-and-white bedding, purple rug nearby, garland on wall. — Photo Credit Eugene Cerdena

I’ve always thought the tiered TROFAST shelves look like steps, and some hacks turn them into stairs. So this KURA bed project from Eugene Cerdena made perfect sense. The finished bunks with steps offer sleeping space for two, oodles of storage, and a safe way for little ones to get up and down.

Trade Storage for an Extra Bed

Wooden bunk bed in a small child’s room, with colorful bedding, toy storage under the desk, and a play rug nearby. — Photo Credit DIDKO

What if you love the idea of extra sleeping space, but you don’t need additional storage? Well, you could take a page out of this hacker’s book and create a set of triple bunk beds. DIDKO opted to make a slide-out bed below their converted bunks instead of the expected storage drawer.

KURA Bed Hacks That Love to Play

Turning the KURA into bunk beds is definitely a popular way to hack this IKEA staple. However, melding it with playtime fun is another favorite project of many hackers.

Incorporate a LEGO Station

Two-level bunk bed with a black frame and brick-pattern panels in a child's room, with a chair and jacket nearby. — Photo Credit MIA777

My son is a LEGO fiend, so I understand the appeal of setting up a dedicated LEGO building station in your kid’s room. MIA777 did just that with their child’s KURA. It’s all about sleeping on the bottom, but this bed has a LEGO play area on the top that’s always ready for some build time.

Add a Slide

Wooden loft bed with a blue panel, built-in slide, and storage shelves in a child's playroom. — Photo Credit Eric Strong ericstrong875 | YouTube

This bed and play zone is a child’s dream, with hidden fun (complete with a secret door!) and a slide to help you get out of bed and start your day! What kid wouldn’t love that?! You can check out the project in detail by checking out Eric Strong’s (@ericstrong875) KURA hack tutorial.

Build a Cute Playhouse in Your KURA Bed

Child's bed with a blue fabric wall decorated by a yellow double door, pink window, and flower garden; scalloped gray and white cloud border along the top. — Photo Credit Anna

Anna closed the bottom of the KURA when it’s in its loft mode to create an adorable felt playhouse under the bed. This idea is so simple, yet absolutely cute and perfect for hours of imaginative play or even a quiet escape.

Transform the Whole Bed Into a Playhouse

Colorful wooden playhouse on a sunny patio with two children peeking from the windows, one at the red wall and the other near the blue door. — Photo Credit Abby Appling

What if you don’t need a bed? Does that mean you don’t need the KURA? Not according to Abby Appling, who used the KURA frame and a few adjustments to build a charming child’s playhouse.

Install a Climbing Wall

Children's bedroom with a loft bed, a colorful climbing wall panel, and toy storage bins beneath it. — Photo Credit Eamonn Linehan

If your child loves being active, give them a unique way to get into bed each night and enjoy a bit of adventure. Eamonn Linehan made a bed with a climbing wall at the end, providing an alternative route to bedtime that is sure to make kids smile.

sundvik toddler bed with rattan cane embellishment

This IKEA Toddler Bed Glow Up Starts With A Strip Down

Fun KURA Bed Makeovers

Another way hackers love to reimagine the KURA is by giving it an interesting theme. When you scope out children’s furniture, you’re sure to find all sorts of beds that look like trucks, castles, and beyond. These hackers decided that the KURA was the perfect base to bring their whimsical visions to life.

Trash Truck

Young child sits on top of a white and gray toy bus with yellow railings, under a green canopy that reads 'Think Green, Think Clean.' — Photo Credit Michelle

Michelle’s grandson was obsessed with trash trucks. Therefore, she decided that a truck-themed bed was the way to go. She used the frame and hardware from the KURA bed tent to transform it into something her son would love.

Fire Truck

My son had a secondhand fire truck bed when he was a toddler, but this one from Caroline Côté is as sweet as can be. It even has lights! I think the only problem is that your child may never want to get out of bed.

Canopy Bed

This clever transformation turns the basic KURA into a statement canopy bed that creates a cozy vibe. Morzel created the canopy to fit the KURA, using a ceiling hook to provide the tented appearance. I love the little peek-a-boo window, too!

Surf Shack

Denise Smith wanted to make a fun but functional bed, but she didn’t love the $1,000 price tags she was seeing. Therefore, she converted the KURA into a precious surf shack bed. It’s all about sleeping on top and playing on the bottom.

KURA Bed Castle

A pink and white castle-themed bunk bed with shelves and a small bed, in a kids’ bedroom with a pink mural and stuffed animals nearby. — Photo Credit Lena

I love this hack from Lena! She turns the KURA into a castle bed packed with storage and play space. The top has the sweetest sitting area and even a toy kitchen! The tall bookcases, standing as towers, are brilliant, and I can only imagine how excited a child would be to have a bed like this one.

If you need some inspiration to make the most of your child’s room, the KURA could be the solution you’re looking for.

Or perhaps, one of these IKEA kids’ bed hacks will give you precisely what you need to create a stellar space. Do you see one you’re eager to try?

If you’ve hacked the IKEA KURA bed, share it with us! Send it in here.