Here’s the second half of Farah’s home makeover (read the first part to see how we started). HomeGoods generously offered merchandise to refresh a space, and we asked to pay it forward by transforming someone else’s home. They agreed, and when we saw Farah’s family room we couldn’t resist tackling that space as well. Below is the family again to refresh your memory.
Here’s the family room before the makeover:
And here’s the same room after we worked on it:
The room provided a solid starting point—we were able to keep several existing pieces (sectional, recliner, side tables, wood frames, coffee table) and focused on adding accessories that defined the space and boosted kid-friendly function for Laila without sacrificing grown-up style.
One of the most impactful changes was painting the walls a warm artichoke green. We used Benjamin Moore’s Nantucket Breeze color matched to a satin Behr finish. The soft green casts a warm, candlelit glow across the room. Layering in textured elements like the new rug and table lamps helped make the space feel cozier and more inviting.
Farah primed and painted the existing recliner, and we repurposed a green bench that had been sitting unused in Laila’s room. That bench became the anchor for a dedicated kid zone for toys and games—adding kid space inside the main living area so children feel included rather than banished to a formal room where nothing can be touched.
Above the green bench we installed three simple white hooks with Ikea baskets. The baskets create contained storage for Laila’s gear while keeping the wall tidy and visually light—far less expensive and bulky than adding a large cabinet or console.
We moved the white bench into the kitchen where it sits near the table. When Farah entertains she pulls the table into the room and adds the bench for extra seating. This rearrangement eliminates a blank wall in the family room during gatherings and gives Laila a daily spot to enjoy—simple, flexible solutions that serve multiple needs.
There’s a framed print above the kitchen bench that we’ll describe in a moment. First, a few more views of the refreshed seating area:
The woven basket under the side table—stacked atop a neat pile of magazines—is one of two leftover Ikea baskets we used for the wall above the green bench. We repurposed those to hold Laila’s board books, so kid and adult reading materials can coexist without creating clutter.
We also embraced the reality that kid items migrate around a room. A plastic (unbreakable) tray on the coffee table holds a few of Laila’s toys, which gives the space a lived-in, playful feel while keeping breakables out of reach. Yes, tiny plastic bananas are adorable, and they made the reveal feel authentic to how the room will be used day to day.
Now about that photo above the bench: we created a custom portrait of Laila holding mini grapes in the backyard. Farah wanted a berry-themed print to fill an existing frame, so we staged a small DIY photoshoot. With Johnny P behind the camera and a local print shop handling the print, we produced a one-of-a-kind piece that’s more personal than anything from a big-box store.
For an inexpensive, edible centerpiece idea we recommend a simple bowl of fresh green apples—an easy way to introduce color and texture to a table.
And here’s a small basket detail because the coordinating blue shoes caught our eye and matched the room’s palette—little moments like that add charm.
Budget breakdown:
- Paint: $100 (five gallons; we suggested painting the ceiling and adjoining kitchen to keep the room cohesive)
- Rug: $299 (8 x 10 from HomeGoods)
- Kitchen blinds: $60 (faux wood blinds from Home Depot)
- Side table lamps: $29 each (HomeGoods)
- Blue bird: $9.99 (HomeGoods)
- Blue finial on mantel: $12.50 (HomeGoods)
- Pillows: $55 (mix from HomeGoods and World Market)
- Custom Laila hand photo in kitchen: $20 (printed locally)
- Decorative remote box: $15 (HomeGoods)
- Kitchen table runner: $12 (HomeGoods)
- Kitchen bench pillow: $20 (HomeGoods)
- Baskets under green bench: $22 (Target)
- Hanging toy baskets above bench & under side tables: $30 total (Ikea)
- TOTAL: $713.49 ($296 spent by Farah thanks to HomeGoods)
We approached this project with a hands-on, Trading-Spaces mindset: Farah tackled painting, hanging blinds, and even repainting the recliner. We planned for about a $1,000 budget, so it was a pleasant surprise to finish under that while including major items like a large rug, paint, matching lamps and a custom photograph plus lots of accessories. We had a great time collaborating with Farah and her family—thanks for letting us jump in and help. Do you have a dedicated corner for kids in your family room? Or tiny plastic fruit on your coffee table? We hope this makeover inspires a practical, family-friendly approach to beautiful, livable spaces.