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Plot Twist: This “Built-In” Bunk Bed Is Actually a $299 IKEA DIY

Lifestyle blogger Wendy Gilmour embarked on a children's room renovation for her son, Hunter (6), and daughter, Summer (4), during a major extension of their 130-year-old home near Glasgow, Scotland. Having previously acquired an IKEA Mydal bunk bed for $35 on Facebook Marketplace to accommodate visiting guests, Gilmour aimed to transform the well-used piece into a more aesthetically pleasing and functional design for her children. Inspired by Pinterest, particularly Sarah Sherman Samuel's bunk bed setup, Gilmour decided to create a built-in look by positioning the IKEA bed within a room nook and framing it with elegant millwork. Gilmour and her husband, despite their lack of prior experience with such a project, proceeded with the DIY. They used pine slats, embellished with inexpensive strips of beading, to mimic the look of custom molding, matching it to the room's existing trim. To add functionality and a finished look, tongue-and-groove clad panels were installed at the head and foot of the bed frame, creating slim ledges for storing items. A key feature of this design is that the entire structure is not permanently fixed to the wall, allowing the bunk beds to be easily moved when the children outgrow them. Gilmour's only minor regret was opting for real wood (pine) over MDF, as the pine did not remain perfectly flat over time. Selecting the right color was a family affair, as Gilmour wanted a hue that complemented their traditional home decor and involved her children in the decision-making process. She narrowed down several paint samples to three options, which she had her children paint onto cardboard and display on the wall. Hunter ultimately chose "Jewel Beetle" by Little Greene, a deep, warm green that created a cozy and cocooning atmosphere within the bunk environment. A playful and distinctive touch was added with a hand-painted striped ceiling, achieved using FrogTape, which also contributed to a sense of depth in the room. Gilmour advises peeling off the tape while the final coat of paint is still wet to achieve crisp lines. The unique shape of the room presented a challenge, as the bunk frame was nearly the exact depth of an alcove under the house's eaves but was too short in length. Gilmour addressed this by drenching the interior walls and the sloping ceiling in the chosen green paint, creating a cohesive look. The remaining negative space was left white, defining a separate zone within the room. Looking ahead, Gilmour plans to incorporate a climbing wall into the back of the frame. Attention to detail was crucial in elevating the IKEA bunk bed from a budget solution to a refined piece. Gilmour enhanced the bottom storage drawers, which were new purchases from IKEA, with weighted brass pulls from From the Anvil, considering them the "jewelry of the room" that would develop a beautiful patina over time. She also installed plug-in wall lights and spray-painted their twisted cable wires to seamlessly blend them with the walls. Recessed shelves at the head of each bed provide architectural interest and practical storage for toys, books, and drinks. Gilmour is delaying the reveal of the finished room until her family returns home permanently. She is still considering whether the children will share the room, acknowledging their tendency to chat late into the night, which might necessitate a separate room for Summer, paving the way for future epic sibling sleepovers and another design project. #IKEAHack #DIYProject #KidsRoomDesign #BunkBed #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #SpaceSaving #FamilyFriendlyDesign #CustomLook #IKEAHack #DIYProject #KidsRoomDesign #BunkBed #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #SpaceSaving #FamilyFriendlyDesign #CustomLook
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