A Budget-Friendly Playroom Makeover
I’ve got a confession to make: I do not enjoy budgets.
Ok, I HATE budgets. I’m a Leo—it’s not in my nature, what can I say? I would dread the inevitable “we need to reign in the spending” budget meetings (which always seemed to happen right after a big order arrived).
But here’s the thing: budgets are a part of life, no matter how much money you have. And when it comes to playrooms? Trust me, this is not the space to invest big bucks. Playrooms are TRANSITIONAL—they evolve as your kids grow (and fast!). One minute, they’re pushing toy fire trucks across the floor, and the next, they’re deep into gaming or art projects. Not to mention, your little artist will certainly be painting a masterpiece on that expensive Restoration Hardware unit.
What I do enjoy is finding quality items that feel high-end but come with a budget-friendly price tag. And I’m here to tell you—it’s totally possible to make any space look great and function beautifully, no matter the budget. The key is knowing where to focus your dollars and where to find those fab pieces that don’t come with a hefty price tag.
As a mom of three, a designer, and an organizer, I’ve mastered the art of creating playrooms that work for families. I know how to find amazing items at any price point—pieces that can last for years but won’t make you wince when they inevitably take a hit from your little ones. That’s exactly what we did for this client’s playroom makeover—balancing style, function, and budget to transform the space into something both beautiful and practical. Here's how we made it happen.
THE BEFORE
Every House of Prim project starts with an In-Home Consultation.
Basically, a home therapy session where I walk through the space with my client, chatting about the issues they’re facing. This consult is a crucial part of our process because it helps me understand WHO the client is, WHAT problems they’re experiencing, WHERE the challenges lie, and most importantly, the WHY. The WHY is often the deeper, emotional reason that may not even be fully realized. Maybe they’re a new mom feeling overwhelmed with multiple kids, maybe their job is demanding and they don’t have the capacity to even begin on a space, or maybe they struggle to let go of things that remind them of a different time in their life.
Often, it’s about more than just needing a functional space—it’s about reclaiming control. The WHY helps me connect with our clients on a deeper level, which is why I call this part of the process “home therapy.”
For this particular project, we were working with a busy family of five who had recently moved in and weren’t quite sure what to do with this space. They knew it would be a playroom, but wisely wanted to live in it a bit before making any decisions. Because of that, there wasn’t a real system in place yet. Items were thrown into mismatched bins from the old house, unfinished art projects were scattered about, and mid-project LEGO creations were losing pieces never to be completed. Sigh.
The space itself had fantastic potential, but without a method to the madness, it was just that—madness. At House of Prim, we aim for controlled chaos. Kids and life are messy; the key is being able to easily reset the space when needed.
The family’s creative spirit was immediately apparent. The father is an artist, and his children have clearly inherited the same love of art, building, and creating. In fact, on our first day, their little one proudly told us that while his art might look like a mess, it was actually an in-progress creation—so please, don’t throw it out. We made sure that creative genius was not interrupted as we started planning a space that balanced both function and aesthetics to make all five family members happy.
THE PLAN
Existing Elements and Design Direction
When we work on your home, the goal isn’t to push you to buy all new containers or home items. My focus is on creating a space that works for your family—not just filling it with new things.
In this space, a few existing elements guided the aesthetic: a gorgeous hunter green Ruggable rug, caramel leather chairs, and cozy neutral lounge pieces. These set the tone for the room, but the shelving unit didn’t align with the client’s vision, so we explored other options.
Because playrooms evolve as kids grow, I always encourage my clients to think about their options in two ways:
“For Now” Pieces
Affordable, sturdy items from places like IKEA, Walmart, or Target. These pieces do the job without guilt if they need replacing in a few years. And trust me, IKEA pieces can handle plenty of chaos—I tell you this as a consumer and boy mom!“Long-Term” Pieces
If you want to invest in core items like shelving, go for classic, well-made pieces that can transition as the room shifts from a play space to a pre-teen hangout or gaming lounge. If you can envision it still working years from now, it’s worth the investment.
Team Prim loves a good IKEA unit in a playroom, and during our research, we found a standout design that fit perfectly with the space: DARK GREEN SHELVING.
At our client design meeting, we presented three choices: a white IKEA unit, the green IKEA unit, and a pricier Crate & Barrel option. The client went with the green, and it completely transformed the room. The vibrant color elevated the entire design—you’d never guess how affordable it is!
That bold green shelving set the direction for the rest of the storage choices. We paired it with warm, honey-colored rattan bins and black bin clips (with a vinyl label) which tied everything together with the rug’s colors. This added warmth and texture while keeping the space functional and cohesive.
THE AFTER
Crafting Potential: Art Cabinet
From Day 1, I envisioned this cabinet filled with arts, crafts, and sensory supplies neatly housed in clear bins and pretty pouches. Spaces like this not only function beautifully but look phenomenal when you use uniform containers and chic labels. I love clear bins for children’s spaces—being able to see everything at a glance makes a world of difference.
We created a structured, visually appealing system using a combination of bins and bags:
The Jumbo Pantry Bin: It may say “Pantry” in the name, but this iDesign bin is on my Greatest Hits list—it’s incredibly versatile throughout the home. Its height keeps items contained, while the tapered design feels fresh and modern.
The Clic-Clac: I’m obsessed with this “kit meets suitcase” storage solution. It’s functional, smart, and aesthetic with a small footprint, perfect for arts and crafts. Plus, it’s not just for this space—I use them for first aid kits, home supplies, and even in the car. Expect to see more of these in our future projects!
The Dream Tote and Petite Pouches kept everything contained and clearly labelled.These kept everything contained and clearly labeled, adding bright, happy vibes along with organization to the system.
The result? A beautifully organized, functional cabinet that’s ready for any creative project the kids dream up—and a space Mom actually enjoys opening.
Get the Look
The Petite Pouch
The fun sized version of our original.
Reading Rainbow
This vibrant green shelving unit became a focal point of the room, housing a mix of books, toys, and playful accessories. We displayed the books in a fun, ROYGBIV style, adding a pop of visual interest that’s both functional and stylish. Toys were neatly tucked away in rattan Container Store bins, and faux leather Target baskets (and may I say, the quality of these pieces—unbelievably fantastic). A rattan dress-up rack lives nearby for easy access to costumes and an existing table from another area of the house is the perfect set up for board games.
To bring some life to the space, we used cool statement pieces—this showstopper (+ surprisingly affordable) acrylic chess set and fun board games cleverly disguised as fabric-bound vintage books, pop art-inspired accessories (a bit of an homage to dad's profession)—adding a playful, modern twist that ties everything together beautifully.
Get the Look
Kallax Shelving Unit
Dark Green never looked so good.
Get the Look
Metal Bin Clips
Form + Function.
LEGO Love
As a mom of several LEGO enthusiasts, I fully understand the love/hate relationship all parents have with these iconic building bricks. Love how they encourage STEM skills and spark creativity, keeping kids engaged and off screens. Hate (HATE) stepping on a rogue LEGO.
Not to mention, you’re shelling out a decent amount for these sets, which may or may not ever be fully completed—or worse, appreciated. That’s why I created the LEGO Work in Progress Kit for my own kids and now offer it to clients. It’s a dedicated home for any LEGO set that’s still in progress.
Each numbered bag in the LEGO set—like Step 1, Step 2, and so on—gets its own specific container, all housed inside a larger container to keep everything organized. I also include a second container to house the actual LEGO creation, keeping it safe from siblings or from being knocked off the table mid-build. Genius, yes? This mom who has not stepped on a LEGO in years is gonna say YES.
For this project, we created a kit for each child, ensuring everyone had their own system. We also installed acrylic shelves to display their most recent LEGO creations, giving them a place of pride while keeping them out of harm's way.
Get the Look
Label Sets
Creation Station
Built in desks offered a perfect place for everything from creating, playing, LEGO-ing, even homework. We outfitted the stations with must have items (crayons, pens, pencils) in easy to access storage, and desk drawers house additional items like papers and coloring books. PS—those adorable Gummy Bears? They light up! My little guy has these in his room and they are a mega hit.
Get the Look
Netflix and Chill
No hangout space is complete without a cozy, comfy area. The easy-to-clean rug here serves as the foundation, encouraging on-the-floor play, so we made sure to include a storage space filled with toys that lend themselves to just that. Stuffed animals have their own dedicated home, and books are nearby for impromptu reading sessions.
This space was designed to invite relaxation and play, giving the kids a cozy spot to unwind while still being surrounded by the things they love.
Get the Look
The final result? A playroom that looks incredible and works hard for this busy family. From bold green shelving to the arts and crafts cabinet, LEGO kits, and a cozy TV area, every detail was designed with both kids and parents in mind. And best of all, it was all done without compromising on ANY of those areas.
This space proves you can have form, function, and a little fun—without compromise.
We loved bringing this vision to life, and I hope it sparked some ideas for your own space. Because who says playrooms can’t be playful and practical?
