Here’s the rest of the story about Farah’s home makeover. HomeGoods kindly offered merchandise for the project, and we asked if we could pay it forward by transforming someone else’s home instead. They agreed, and once we saw Farah’s family room we couldn’t stop at the mom cave — we tackled the adjacent family space too. Below is the full family room reveal, with the goal of adding warmth, kid-friendly function, and style without starting from scratch.
The room started as a fairly blank slate, and we were fortunate to work with many of Farah’s existing pieces: the sectional, the recliner, side tables, wood frames, and the coffee table. Our job was to bring in accessories that define the space and add lots of family-friendly function for little Laila, while maintaining a grown-up aesthetic.
One of the most impactful changes was the wall color. We suggested a warm artichoke green — a shade inspired by Benjamin Moore’s Nantucket Breeze, color-matched to satin Behr paint — which gives the room a soft, candlelit glow. The new paint, combined with layered lighting from new table lamps and a textured rug, immediately made the space feel cozier and more inviting.
Farah even primed and painted the existing recliner, and we repurposed a green bench that had been sitting unused in Laila’s room. Placing that bench in the family room created a dedicated play area for Laila that doesn’t clash with the adults’ space. Including a visible kid zone keeps children included in family life rather than banished to another room, and it helps the whole family enjoy the space together.
To add tidy storage without bulk, we hung three simple white hooks above the green bench and added inexpensive baskets. This solution created extra stow-and-go storage for Laila’s gear while keeping the wall visually light and uncluttered. It was also far cheaper than adding a large cabinet or console to fill the wall.
The original white bench was relocated to the kitchen near the table. When Farah entertains she pulls the table out and adds the bench for extra seating, so moving it to the kitchen creates flexibility: the family room no longer looks empty when guests come, and Laila gains a small daily-use zone. It’s a practical win-win.
We also used two woven baskets, originally intended for the wall above the green bench, under a side table to corral magazines and adult books. Using one basket for Laila’s board books lets kid reads and adult reads coexist neatly without creating a cluttered or overly childlike look.
To make the room feel lived-in and honest, we embraced the reality that toys migrate around the room. A plastic, unbreakable tray on the coffee table holds a few of Laila’s toys — practical and playful — and it gives a realistic sense of how the room functions day to day. Small touches, like tiny plastic bananas and other toy fruit, bring charm and personality without undermining the overall design.
One custom detail is a photo we shot of Laila holding mini grapes. Farah wanted a berry-related print to hang above a bench in the kitchen, so we did a quick DIY photoshoot and had the print made locally. The custom portrait adds a personal touch that can’t be replicated by generic store art.
Small styling moves also help: a simple, edible centerpiece of fresh green apples brightens the table, and a few accessory details reinforce the color story and warmth of the room. Little design moments like that go a long way without costing much.
Budget breakdown:
- Paint: $100 (five gallons; we recommended painting the ceiling and adjoining kitchen to unify the space)
- Rug: $299 (8 x 10 from HomeGoods)
- Kitchen blinds: $60 (faux wood blinds to unify kitchen windows)
- Side table lamps: $29 each
- Blue bird ceramic accent: $9.99
- Blue finial on mantel: $12.50
- Pillows: $55 (mix of sources)
- Custom Laila photo print: $20 (locally printed)
- Decorative remote box: $15
- Kitchen table runner: $12
- Kitchen bench pillow: $20
- Baskets under green bench: $22
- Hanging toy baskets above bench & under side tables: $30 total
- TOTAL: $713.49 (approximately $296 out-of-pocket for Farah after contributions)
We approached this family room and semi-kitchen refresh with a “Trading Spaces” spirit: Farah handled some of the DIY homework — painting walls, hanging blinds, priming and painting the recliner — which helped keep costs down. Considering the large rug, multiple gallons of paint, matching side table lamps, a custom photograph, and a variety of accessories, the final cost was pleasantly lower than expected.
Ultimately the project aimed to provide warmth, cohesion, and kid-friendly function without sacrificing adult style. The result is a family room that feels intentional, practical, and welcoming — a space where toys and taste coexist comfortably. Do you have a dedicated corner in your family room for kid paraphernalia? Small, simple storage and a few well-chosen pieces can make a huge difference.