This post is in partnership with IKEA
When our family arrives for the holidays, my son Luke always generously gives up his bedroom and sleeps on an air mattress downstairs so we can make space for guests. We don’t have a lot of extra room, but we’re happy to share what we have.
I’d been planning a few updates to his room since we moved in — both to make visiting family more comfortable and as a little gift for Luke. Unless we move or rearrange the house in the next year and a half, this will likely be his last childhood bedroom before he graduates high school, so I wanted it to feel right.
His old dresser was actually the same tiny one I had bought for his sisters when they were little, so the drawers were narrow and shallow. Now that he’s grown, that piece no longer functioned for his clothing needs.
The small dresser and an equally small nightstand sat side by side next to his bed, but neither piece made efficient use of the wall. Excess furniture that didn’t serve practical needs read as visual clutter, and the room felt less organized than it could be.
I had been putting off the update, but as I prepared for the holidays I remembered past visits when guests had nowhere obvious to set their things. The dogs would grab personal belongings from the floor and dash through the house, which was awkward for everyone. I decided there was just enough time to make a simple, useful change before guests arrived.
HEMNES 8-Drawer Dresser
To streamline the wall by his bed, I replaced the mismatched small pieces with one larger, more functional piece. In a small room, less can be more — and one bigger, well-chosen item can make the space feel calmer and more practical.
I found the right fit at IKEA: the HEMNES 8-Drawer Dresser. It’s affordable, stylish, fills the available space, and provides the storage we needed in that corner.
The dresser offers plenty of storage so we can keep a couple of drawers reserved for guests. I also love the striped lining inside the drawers — those little design details make everyday life feel a bit more special.
Now Luke has room to organize his clothes properly, with extra space for personal items and things he wants easy access to.
HEKTAR Work Lamp with Wireless Charging
I also added the HEKTAR Work Lamp with wireless charging. It’s a great bedside lamp and doubles as a task light on top of the dresser. The lamp’s classic silhouette pairs with the modern convenience of wireless charging — a handy feature for teens and visiting guests alike.
We’re often short on chargers when guests stay over, so the lamp’s built-in wireless charger is a thoughtful touch that makes hosting easier and keeps devices off the floor and out of the dogs’ reach.
Swapping two small pieces for the HEMNES dresser and adding the HEKTAR lamp were simple changes that brought more function and style to the room. Streamlining that corner transformed the overall feel of the space.
Luke really loves his updated room, and I’m glad we finished the project in time for the holidays. It will be comfortable and welcoming for guests, and I’m excited for the memories we’ll make together this season.
Are you squeezing in any quick home projects before the holidays?
I am a Brand Ambassadör for IKEA U.S. This is a sponsored post.