9 Ways to Hack a Platform Storage Bed from IKEA Products

updated Feb 25, 2023
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Credit: Erica Massey

Here’s an idea: turning your basic IKEA storage cabinets and dressers into multi-functional lofted beds. It’s a smart way to address the problem of having a small bedroom — you get both a bed and storage in the same footprint. And if you already own these IKEA storage pieces, you’re saving a pretty penny too. 


The innovative IKEA platform storage bed hacks below work well for studio apartments, kids’ rooms, dorms, and more. And after you’re done hacking your storage bed, try one of these ways to hack an  IKEA Lack table, an IKEA desk, or even a sheepskin rug.

1. KALLAX Against the Wall

In this IKEA storage bed hack, @the_merrick_reno used a KALLAX system to loft a little one’s bed, and pushed the entire thing against the wall for added security and to act as a place to prop the many pillows on this sweet bed. 

2. Upside Down KURA

We love this innovative IKEA bed hack by @thedivinelivingspace. Here, they flipped an IKEA KURA bed upside down and styled it as a lofted bed with canopy above. Heavy green curtains coordinate perfectly with the room’s decor and provide a private space when drawn to. 

3. Maximum Storage Thanks to a Malm

If you’re looking for an IKEA storage bed hack with as much storage space as possible, look no further than this clever creation from the IKEA Hackers site. Here, two Malm dressers house a mattress, both lifting it off the ground and providing plenty of room to store belongings. 

Credit: Erica Massey

4. MALM Dresser Bedframe

This bed is simply made up of the MALM dresser with a mattress on top, and it offers so much more storage space in Erica Massey’s bedroom.

5. Bookshelf-Turned-Bed

Lummi balanced this mattress on top of two IKEA bookshelves, which are filled with baskets to hide knick-knacks.

6. Trofast Painted Black


This colorful kids’ bed is simply made of two Trofast shelves painted black. Learn more about how to make your own on Amy’s Instagram.

(Image credit: Hitta-Hem)

7. MALM Dressers Repurposed 

A mattress placed over two MALM dressers works well in this Swedish boy’s room seen on the Hitta Hem blog. The desk is hung at the same level to make it look built in, and forms a continuous line around the room.

(Image credit: Oh Yes blog)

8. Kitchen Cabinets in the Bedroom

IKEA kitchen cabinets and doors form storage and steps up to a bed in this small apartment, seen on the Oh Yes blog.

(Image credit: Weekday Carnival)

9. DIY Dinosaur Bed

Weekday Carnival came up with this configuration, with different colored kitchen cabinets (that have dinosaur pulls!) holding up a mattress.