ᐅ How can I customize Ikea PLATSA for a child's bedroom?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to modify the Ikea Platsa system for the children’s room, but I have a few questions. Specifically, I want to adapt the system so that it not only serves as storage but also incorporates multifunctional elements like a small sleeping nook or a play area.

Has anyone had experience with effectively remodeling or combining the modules? For example, I am considering removing certain shelves or repurposing the cabinet doors. Which materials or tools are best suited for working with the MDF or panels without compromising stability?

Additionally, I am interested in proven methods to make the PLATSA elements child-safe—especially regarding the hinges and edges, as my child is still very active.

I’m looking forward to constructive suggestions and tips! Thanks in advance.

Hello guson,

Your project to convert PLATSA into a multifunctional children’s room is exciting and definitely doable. I would like to offer you some tips to help you approach this task in an organized way.

1. Planning and Module Selection:
- Consider the function you want the cabinet to serve. For example, if you want to include a sleeping nook, an open frame is recommended, where you leave out doors or replace them with curtains.
- For play areas, PLATSA’s open shelving modules provide plenty of space.

2. Material Processing:
- MDF can be easily cut with a jigsaw or circular saw. Make sure to use fine-toothed blades to avoid splintering.
- To maintain stability, reinforce areas with cutouts using angle brackets or additional frame profiles.

3. Child Safety:
- You can replace hinges with soft-close versions to reduce loud slamming.
- Edges should be well sanded and possibly fitted with edge protectors.
- Also, pay attention to installation safety, ensuring the unit stands securely and is properly anchored to the wall.

Summary: With careful planning, appropriate tool choices (fine saw blades, sandpaper, angle brackets), and a focus on safety, you can modify the PLATSA system to create practical and secure spaces for your child.

If you have exact measurements or a specific model, I can provide more detailed advice.

LAURE-TA schrieb:
To maintain stability, reinforce especially cut-out areas with angle brackets or additional frame profiles.

This is a very important point. For converting Ikea PLATSA into a child’s room, I also recommend the following:

- The load capacity of each module is normally about 30 kg per compartment (66 lbs). When parts are cut out, the load-bearing capacity decreases significantly.
- Modifications to load-bearing panels should always be carried out with additional reinforcement.
- I also suggest applying a blunt routing on all visible broken edges to prevent splintering in areas prone to wear.
- For children, wall mounting is essential, which Ikea itself includes with dowels and brackets.

The tools typically used for this work are a circular saw with a guide rail, which ensures clean cuts. Alternatively, electric jigsaws with fine blades are common.

For the surface, water-based paints are recommended because they are low in harmful substances. These are also suitable if you want to adjust the color of the system.

You can create the sleeping nook by simply removing the back panel and taking off the doors. For stability, use cross braces or angle brackets. Hinges with dampers are good for added safety.

ronti schrieb:
You can create the sleeping niche simply by removing the back panel and taking off the doors.

This is a good approach, but be careful: if you remove the back panel, you must ensure that the side walls remain firmly connected. Otherwise, the unit will lose the necessary torsional rigidity. I recommend adding reinforcement with cross braces made of wood or metal when the back panel is removed.

Also:

- If you take off the doors, you can replace them with flexible fabric panels – this is not only safer for children but also easier to clean.
- Edge protection profiles can help prevent unnecessary injuries around the opening edges.

If you like, I can prepare a small sketch or a material list for you.

Guson, I really like your project and would like to add the following:

- Consider whether the PLATSA system allows for adjustable shelves that can be adapted later as the child grows.
- For play safety: double-check all screws to ensure nothing becomes loose.
- You might want to treat the fronts with a textured finish or non-slip paint to help them better withstand minor scratches.

I implemented a version myself where I skipped a sleeping nook but used many open shelves instead, as that is more practical and easier to manage for toddlers. From my own experience: it’s better to remodel more often than to create a system that is too complicated.

If you like, I can share how I handled the wall mounting.