Remember how I’ve been slowly sneaking into my best friend’s house to refresh rooms for her? You might already have seen her living room update. This time I tackled a simple, cheerful homework room for her three kids—two, six, and seven—just in time for the school year to wrap up. Thankfully, they’ve been using it year-round.
Our aim was to make the space functional, affordable, and adaptable as the kids grow. Because the room sits just off the foyer, we also wanted it to look welcoming—one of the first things guests see when they enter.
When they moved in the house was beautiful, with big windows and a cool spiral staircase—but the room needed personality. Our makeover tools were simple: fresh paint, a brighter light fixture, a new rug, some homemade art, and budget-friendly finds from Ikea, Target, and HomeGoods. Nothing we bought for the room cost more than $160; even the large rug was under $140.
Here’s another before shot from a different angle:
And here’s the updated space. The walls are Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams paired with crisp white trim. The big rug is a Target find (7 x 10′) and added both color and durability. It’s made of polypropylene—the same material many indoor/outdoor rugs use—so it’s fade-, weather-, and stain-resistant. You can hose it down and let it dry outside, which is great peace of mind in a room full of markers and glue sticks.
We gave each child a wall file so school papers, camp flyers, and preschool art have a dedicated place. The matching set we found at HomeGoods felt like hitting the jackpot.
The large floating desk in the center is actually two Ikea desks pushed back-to-back. They work perfectly flipped and allow seating on either side. Right now two chairs are enough—one for each older child—but there’s room for a third or fourth chair when a parent needs to sit beside a child to help. The drawers hold tape, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, and glue sticks, while additional storage is available around the room.
Most decor items were things the family already owned: kid artwork, stackable storage cubes, and small containers for flashcards and colored pencils. Those HomeGoods finds are cheap, cute, and easy to move to the desk when the kids are working on projects and then tuck away to free up space.
A white rolling cart provides portable storage and is very similar to an Ikea option. A simple white coat rack holds dress-up pieces their youngest still loves—because every day feels like a celebration when you’re two.
Along the opposite wall sits a gridded bookcase they’d used for years. White baskets keep workbooks, construction paper, and craft supplies organized, while framed photos above the shelf display each child’s baby picture—a sweet, personal touch.
A small anecdote about frames: when we recently re-framed the middle photo using the same black frames as before, the new frame was just a touch taller than the older two. It wasn’t obvious until we hung them, and I couldn’t help laughing as I tried to perfectly line them up while the middle one was ever so slightly different.
Swapping the light fixture made a surprisingly big difference. The previous fixture hung lower and was darker, so replacing it instantly made the room feel lighter and more open. The new quatrefoil-shaped fixture is polished yet playful, and the version we chose provides ample light with four bulbs—perfect for a homework space.
Small details matter: colorful craft scissors in a wooden stand add fun and invite creativity. When I’m not raiding the fridge or decorating her rooms, I’m always asking where she finds the great kids’ supplies.
If you missed the living room makeover, that update was a big transformation too. Still, this homework room’s Target rug and practical layout might have just nudged it into my new favorite. The durable, indoor/outdoor material makes it especially appealing.
I can’t decide between this room and the gold-shelved living room—they both make me feel something, so maybe it’s okay to love them both. After all, why pick a favorite room when you can enjoy them all?
Psst — want more ideas? Check other simple room updates and decorating tips for inspiration.
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