The Stunning DIY That Gives An IKEA Toddler Bed An Antique Look

Let's face it: While IKEA furniture is known for its affordability and functionality, it can sometimes miss the mark on the aesthetics. Unlike solid wood furniture, it's often lacking that touch that makes your home feel warm and cozy, leaving it a bit stark. This is particularly true when it comes to children's rooms. But don't scrap your plan to give your child the bedroom of their dreams — or yours. With a simple upgrade to your IKEA SUNDVIK bed, your toddler's room suddenly turns into a cozy spot. Using only a few planks of pine wood, you can transform your IKEA bed into an antique find without breaking the bank.

The minimalist design of the SUNDVIK bed may not work for your space, but it serves as the perfect blank canvas for a DIY transformation. It doesn't come with any of the bells and whistles that usually accompany genuine antique furniture, giving you the freedom to completely customize your own. And by using pine wood, you can achieve that older feel, adding depth and texture to an otherwise flat surface. It brings that warm wood grain into your space, resembling a vintage piece. And as a custom project, you can make the bed as simple or intricate as you like by adding ornate trims or some decorative touches. Finally make use of those pieces of scrap wood you have laying around with this simple DIY that will give you an antique-looking toddler bed that you will surely want to steal.

Achieving that antique feel is all about mimicking the craftsmanship of a solid wood piece. To start, you're going to want to thoroughly sand the surface of your bed, ensuring that you start with a completely clean slate. Even if you're using a white laminate piece, you want to give it a good sanding to allow paint and glue to stick. Arrange your pine wood planking so that it fits neatly inside the headboard and footboard, carefully cutting any pieces that require it. Apply a generous coat of wood glue to the back of the planks and stick them to your bed. During this step, you can also use a nail gun to further secure your planking. You can add an additional piece of trim to the top of your headboard to give it that intricate shape associated with antique furniture.

The fun part of this trick is all of the customization that you can achieve with just a few pieces of scrap wood. Sanding down the edges of your wood can give them a more worn feel, contributing to the vintage aesthetic. You can also use scraps of trim, wooden dowels, or stair railings to bring that intricate detail work into the piece. And if you're in the market for something a bit more playful, why not give your bed a subtle coat of paint? With this trick, there are endless possibilities, whether it's a comfortable shared bedroom for kids or an only child's sanctuary.