A guest room-turned-nursery makeover you have to see to believe
Rebecca Rajs turned to IKEA Kreativ to help her design the dreamiest sanctuary for her new baby
By day, the mom-to-be Rebecca Rajs works as a recruiter for the tech industry, so it was only fitting that she turned to technology to help her transform a tiny guest bedroom into a gender-neutral nursery.
While the first-time homeowner and avid DIYer is no stranger to decor challenges, the spatial constraints of this particular project made it a little tricky. How would she and her husband fit everything they needed for their new bundle of joy into such tight quarters? Enter IKEA Kreativ. Using the tech-forward, design-meets-shopping experience, Rajs was able to try out different pieces of furniture in her space, and then rearrange them until she landed on the perfect layout. And she was able to do it all without doing any heavy-lifting or purchasing a single item that she would later have to return because it didn’t fit.
With a fast approaching due date (this summer!) we were anxious to catch up with Rajs to get all of the deets on this adorable nursery makeover, and to chat about all things design, of course.
Q: How would you describe your design aesthetic?
Rebecca Rajs: I would describe my design style as comfortable, functional and calming. I love keeping our open spaces neutral and have really enjoyed adding color to some of the smaller spaces in our home. Overall, I want our home to feel inviting and welcoming for anyone who visits.
Q: Who or what inspires you when it comes to interior design?
RR: I really love beautiful spaces that are also optimized for function. I think hotels do a really great job of this and I’m always inspired when I travel! I try to make sure I’m always balancing design and function when I work on our home.
Q: You turned your guest room into a nursery, does your nursery have a theme? And if so, how did you combine that theme with your design style?
RR: I knew I wanted our nursery to feel playful and serene. Since we don’t know the gender of our baby, I also needed to make sure it was neutral. I love green as a color so that helped inspire the wallpaper I chose. I decided to stick with more neutral furniture choices and add color through decor, paint, and wallpaper. I love the way the room flows with the rest of our house.
Q: What challenges did you encounter transforming your guest room into a nursery?
RR: We live in a smaller home so I’m always trying to optimize our spaces for maximum storage. I knew it was going to be challenging to fit a crib, a changing table, a dresser, and a rocking chair into the 10’ by 10’ room. One solution I came up with was using the dresser as a changing table. I made sure that the dresser I picked was tall enough to work for both me and my husband.
Q: How did IKEA Kreativ help?
RR: IKEA Kreativ really helped me visualize the space and ensure all of the furniture I chose was going to fit. I loved how I was able to play around with different pieces to optimize the layout. IKEA Kreativ also helped me feel confident when shopping and purchasing furniture.
Q: What tips do you have for anyone wanting to design a nursery?
RR: Babies grow fast so you have to design a space that will be able to grow with them. I think it’s also important to focus on the function. Think about the activities you will be doing in the room — playing, changing, rocking them to sleep — and make sure your space allows you to do all of those activities comfortably.
Q: What is one thing that surprised you the most about using IKEA Kreativ?
RR: I was surprised by how easy it was to manipulate objects in your virtual space. It was very user-friendly and I loved that I was able to move around furniture and play around with the lay out. You can also remove any objects in your existing space, which really helps you visualize the room.
Q: We love the way that you added a little DIY-magic to the HEMNES dresser. Can you tell us what changes you made? And what did those changes add to the overall space?
RR: Choosing the HEMNES dresser was an easy choice because it’s the perfect height for a changing table. I ended up buying a gray dresser but I wanted the color to be a bit lighter to fit into my design. I painted the dresser a neutral beige and updated the hardware to champagne gold knobs. These small changes [made] a big impact! I love how the dresser fits into the room now.
Q: How did you get into DIY projects? Has that always been a passion? And for those of us who are hesitant to try a DIY project, what suggestions do you have?
RR: I’ve always been interested in designing the spaces that I lived in. Growing up, my dad taught me how to use tools at a young age and always encouraged me to help him with projects. It wasn’t until I moved into my current house that I really felt motivated to start tackling DIY projects on my own. DIY skills are valuable to have and can really help save money, especially as a first time homeowner. For a beginner, I recommend following DIY creators and start by tackling a small project. The hardest part is usually just beginning! Don’t be afraid to try.
Q: What is your and your husband’s favorite thing(s) about the nursery?
RR: We both really love how the crib will be able to grow with our baby and eventually turn into a toddler bed. The crib sheets I found are such a cute detail with little hedgehogs on them! We love spending time in the nursery and it’s making us so excited to welcome home our newest family member soon.
Get the look: GULLIVER crib, HEMNES dresser, MARISTOVA mirror, TROLLDOM crib sheet, LOMVIKEN frame, TRUMPETBUSKE plant pot, and FEJKA artificial plant
Note: While we always love to see your creativity and personal style, please keep in mind that you will not be able to return your IKEA products once you change their appearance.
Photography by Caylee Heller Studios / Courtesy of Rebecca Rajs
Follow Rebecca on Instagram: @rebs_home