I know it’s crazy to think of going back to school when we literally just got out for Summer, but I also know how quickly these next months will fly by and that many of you are already scheming up dorm room and first apartment decor for your big kids. I’m teaming up with IKEA as one of their brand ambassadors to share how we recently finished up my oldest daughter’s room and to hopefully pass along an idea or two that you can use, as well.
Our inspiration was this beautiful (and ever Pinterest-popular) studio apartment designed by Lauren McGrath featured in Domino magazine. I love this layout because it offers plenty of storage on one wall and still leaves her floor space. We used a pair of the HEMNES bookcases which were a perfect fit with her (thrifted) daybed. (The IKEA FYRESDAL is another good option.) If you have less room to work with, the single HEMNES bookcase might be a better fit.
No daybed? An elevated twin mattress will work, too, and can double as a sofa/study space.
It was important to give her some hidden storage so we added several of the gray KVARNVIK boxes on her shelves and these fabric DRÖNA cubes fit perfectly turned sideways. (We also added more under her bed for out-of-season clothing storage.)
I left the shelves pretty open so that she can add her own personal touches and just picked up a few pretty vases from IKEA’s GRADVIS collection. I also added color to her neutral bedding (the TRÄDASTER duvet is a good alternative) with super affordable GURLI pillow covers. The colors worked great with the artwork that was already above her bed.
The GÖRLÖSE rug is super affordable and does a good job of sectioning off this part of the space. (A trick that may be more needed in a shared dorm room!) I floated a KVISTBRO table (with a removable lid for more possible storage) in front of the bed that can serve as a nightstand and/or ottoman.
1. RANARP wall spotlight 2. FYRESDAL daybed 3. HEMNES bookcase
4. TRADASTER duvet 5. GURLI pillow cover 6. KVARNVIK box with lid
7. GRADVIS vases 8. KVISTBRO table 9. GÖRLÖSE rug
10. DRÖNA box 11. MELLTORP table 12. BERNHARD chair
I am a Brand Ambassadör for IKEA U.S. This is a sponsored post.
Carina says
June 13, 2018 at 10:06 amThis room is so cute! Can you please give source for the window curtains? Thanks!
Emily Clark says
June 13, 2018 at 10:44 amYes– Here you go:
https://emilyaclark.com/2016/05/cordless-roman-shades-girls-bedrooms.html
Fiona says
June 13, 2018 at 10:25 amI have to say I really don’t like seeing anything “back to school” when my kids are actually still in school! Most of the kids in the northeast don’t start summer vacation until next week and then we get bombarded with back to school marketing around the 4th of July. Ridiculous.
Emily Clark says
June 13, 2018 at 10:42 amBoo for you guys! What a bummer to still be in school :(
Sara says
June 14, 2018 at 4:44 amIt’s wonderful for those of us who are thinking about dorm rooms… If you wait any longer, the stores are so crazy busy. And you know what I do when I see something I don’t want to read? Just hit the delete button – that’s the beauty of computers. :)
Susan says
June 14, 2018 at 10:33 amGood for you for not having to think ahead just yet…but for others, school schedules (especially COLLEGES), require students to arrive early in August…when many stores are already sold out…Many of the selections in this post are easily adaptable to dorm rooms, so I appreciate this post…even tho I prefer not to think about school starts quite yet, it’s better than fighting crowds and finding nothing in July! Also…doing a little forward thinking doesn’t take away from enjoying our our summer breaks, whenever they are!
Lindsey says
June 13, 2018 at 10:26 amWould you mind sharing the paint color?
Emily Clark says
June 13, 2018 at 10:42 amSure, it’s Ole Pink by BEHR: https://emilyaclark.com/2018/03/painting-pink-teen-girls-colorful-bedroom.html
Sharon says
June 13, 2018 at 12:12 pmSuper cute! Love the pink! I painted my laundry room Love and Happiness by BM. With three boys and a husband, I have to get some girly somewhere.
Emily Clark says
June 13, 2018 at 3:38 pmI think you deserve that ;)
Rikki says
June 13, 2018 at 3:03 pmEmily,
I enjoy your blog very much. I am a planner and am ALWAYS thinking ahead, it is what my family depends on with me as their constant guide. This post was truly helpful and I love all of the ideas. Here in Houston, IKEA is a hot spot each weekend for finding affordable decor and browsing ALL the great possibilities!
Keep up your wonderful creativity!!!
Emily Clark says
June 13, 2018 at 3:39 pmThanks, Rikki!
Kate says
June 13, 2018 at 4:03 pmGreat post! This post is timely because IKEA can be CRAZY busy the closer it gets to Back to School.
Mary says
June 13, 2018 at 9:55 pmThese ideas would also work in a guest room/office that’s seldom used for guests.
Emily Clark says
June 14, 2018 at 7:15 amYes! A great set up for an office/guest room combo.
Carol says
June 14, 2018 at 8:24 pmThats ridiculous. Back to school. Let us enjoy the summer.
Jenn says
June 15, 2018 at 4:57 pmI saw you linked to an ikea sconce, but I’m curious what sconce you used in her room. The room is SUUUUPER cute btw. I came over from Instagram stories and I was cracking up over your waiting room re-do. 😂 i do the same thing.
Brenda says
June 17, 2018 at 7:25 pmWhat a darling room. Your daughter must love it. Thanks for all of the info!