IKEA Kura Bed Hack: DIY Boy Canopy Bed

by - 16:11:00

The other day my 3 yr old said to me "Mommy I need a big boy bed. My crib is too high, I can't get out".  Ahh, he was on to me, the jig was up. I guess I couldn't keep my little bear caged any longer. After the initial sadness of my baby growing up wore off, I got really excited about another opportunity to be creative by turning this IKEA Kura Bed hack into a DIY Boy Canopy Bed. Not only is this bed cute but it gave my son the security and feeling of a crib.

IKEA Kura Bed Hack:  DIY Boy Canopy Bed

There were a few criteria the big boy had to meet; it had to be fun, safe and have some longevity. We found this IKEA Kura Bed on Kijiji and it was perfect. It's reversible so we can use it as a bunk bed once the boys are a bit older, I can put the mattress on the floor so the sides act as a bed rail and I can do a cool IKEA Kura Bed hack.


Here's a pic of his room before the big boy bed makeover.
I'm not going to lie, I shed a few tears taking down his crib.
 

 I started by sketching some ideas. Originally my idea was to leave top open however my toddler requested a full tent. I did attempt an open top version - I'll post on this option later. See here.
 

After we primed the bed frame, we painted it a lovely grey colour.
(Para Paints - Fort Garry Grey (P2140-01). 


Of course, we put the little guy to work which made him even more excited to get into his bed. 
Ahh, if only this excitement for bed would last.
 

 For the canopy I purchased two table clothes (One 60x60 for the sides and one 60x90 for the top), I also purchased 4 braided belts and velcro.
 

 For the sides, I cut the 60x60 table cloth down the middle and hemmed the raw edge.
 

Then I folded it over the top beam of the bed and used velcro to secure it together (which makes it easy to take off for cleaning etc).
 

 Then I closed the belts, glued them just under the buckle and cut them.
 

I added velcro to the top and bottom of the belts.
 
 
I threaded the belts through a small hole on each side of the table cloths. The velcro makes it easy for my toddler to take down the sides and reduces the risk of him hurting himself. 

IKEA KURA Bunk Bed HACK

For the top canopy, I threaded fishing line through a rattan lamp shade and the middle of the 60x90 table cloth and hung the entire thing from the ceiling.
 
IKEA KURA Bunk Bed HACK

Again I used velcro on the top bed beams and on the inside of the table cloth to attach the top canopy.
 
IKEA KURA Bunk Bed HACK

 This is one of my favourite IKEA hacks I've done to-date. 
As a side note, I've also heard this bed makes a great DIY tent bed for autistic children.

IKEA KURA Bunk Bed HACK


IKEA KURA Bunk Bed HACK

 As for the little guy... he loves it.

IKEA KURA Bunk Bed HACK

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19 comments

  1. Hi - This looks great! I'm late to this post, but would you be willing to share the source for your bedding? Thanks

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    1. Oh sorry for the late reply, I picked up this bedding at Homesense.

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  2. I'd love to know what the paint color is!

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    1. I've been trying to find the can (it got lost in the move). I will find it and get back to you.

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  3. Hi!! Absolutely love your page! Just stumble on it looking into those bunk beds hacking;)
    I'm terrible at painting, always makes of paint etc, yours looks flawless, do you have any tips for painting ? And what was the primer your taking about? You had to sand it? Sorry for all the questions but I love what you did, very inspiring:)
    Vanessa

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    1. Thanks for your kind words. You can use any white primer. In terms of painting tips, long vertical strokes work best and use a small roller (it doesn't leave brush marks). Hope that helps : )

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  4. Me again;) forgot to ask where you got that little basketball hoop on the side ?;)
    Thank you!
    Vanessa

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    1. haha, isn't it cute! I actually found that gem at a yard sale. Although I'm sure you could find it on Amazon.

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  5. Hi Andrea! Your blog is absolutely awesome!!! Congratulations!
    I was trying to figure out what kind of paint did you use in the bed. I saw an older answer where you said you used white prime, but I was wondering if you used in all parts (because they are made of different material). And after the white prime, what kind of paint did you use? Thank you so much!
    Ana

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    1. Thanks so much Ana! Yes I used primer on all the wood and flat pieces. After it was primed I used (Para Paints - Fort Garry Grey (P2140-01). Hope this helps (I know it's a bit late lol)

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  6. How did you the ladder on the backside like that? For the life of me I can’t figure out how to get the ladder on the back at the foot of the bed with the 4 slated end as the headboard.

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  7. Thanks for sharing this! How has the paint on the panels held up? I'm about to paint one and I'm wondering if I should just replace the panels with plywood.

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    1. I'm also curious how the paint has held up. Wondering if we should sand it first.

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    2. Yes, I suggest giving it a good sand. The plywood idea is a good one. The only part that had a bit of wear was the blue panels so the plywood would really help that.

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  8. Hi! I just bought this bed and am curious if you put the bed together before you primed and painted or did you paint all the pieces and then put it together?

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    1. Hi! Thanks for your comment. We purchased the original bed second hand so parts of it were already put together. I disassembled as much as I could before I primed and painted. I hope that helps.

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  9. How thick is the mattress? I have this bed and plan to use it as a floor bed but I want to use a standard two sided mattress (the My Green Mattress Kiwi to be exact).

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