This post is in partnership with IKEA
When our family comes for the holidays, my son Luke generously gives up his bedroom and sleeps on an air mattress downstairs so we can make room for guests. We don’t have a large house, but we love creating a welcoming space for everyone.
I’ve been planning to update his room since we moved in — partly to make guests more comfortable and partly as a gift for Luke. Unless we move or rearrange within the next year and a half, this will be his final childhood bedroom before he graduates high school. Cue the sentimental tears!
His old dresser was one I had bought for his sisters when they were little, so the drawers were very small. Now that he’s a teen — and almost an adult — that dresser no longer worked for his clothing and storage needs.
The small dresser and a tiny nightstand sat on the same wall beside his bed. Neither piece offered functional storage or used the wall space efficiently. Extra furniture that didn’t serve a purpose felt like visual clutter, making the room less calming and less useful.
Although the room was ready for a style and function refresh, I kept postponing the project. While preparing for the holidays, I remembered past visits when guests had no dedicated place for their belongings; our dogs would grab items from the floor and run around the house. It was awkward for everyone, and I wanted to avoid repeating that scenario.
With the holidays approaching, I realized I had just enough time to make a simple but meaningful change.
HEMNES 8-Drawer Dresser
My plan was to streamline the wall by replacing both the awkward dresser and the nightstand with one larger, more functional piece. In a small room, less can be more — and a single, well-chosen piece can make a big difference.
I found the right solution at IKEA: the HEMNES 8-Drawer Dresser. It’s affordable, attractive, fills the available space nicely, and meets the practical needs of the room.
This dresser offers plenty of storage so we can even reserve a couple of empty drawers for guests. I also love the striped lining inside the drawers — it’s a small detail that adds personality and makes me smile. The little design touches are what give a space warmth and character.
Now Luke has ample room to organize his clothes, plus extra space to tuck away personal items. The larger dresser keeps things tidy and reduces clutter on the floor.
HEKTAR Work Lamp with Wireless Charging
To complete the setup, we added the HEKTAR Work Lamp with wireless charging. It works perfectly as a bedside light and as a task lamp on the dresser. The lamp has a classic silhouette with a modern convenience: a built-in wireless charger for phones and other devices. It’s a practical, teen-approved feature.
We never seem to have enough chargers when guests visit, so having a lamp with wireless charging makes hosting easier and more comfortable for everyone.
Swapping two clunky pieces for the HEMNES dresser and adding the HEKTAR lamp were simple changes with big impact. Streamlining this corner added storage, improved flow, and refreshed the room’s style.
Luke loves his updated room. I’m glad we completed this project in time for the holidays — it will be a comfortable, welcoming space for guests and a practical, cozy room for him. I’m looking forward to making new memories there.
Are you sneaking in any quick home projects before the holidays?
I am a Brand Ambassadör for IKEA U.S. This is a sponsored post.