Ladies, you know that moment in spring when the sun finally shows up after ghosting us for, oh, six straight months? It’s like we collectively thaw out and suddenly feel this deep spiritual need to Marie Kondo every room in our house while blasting Lizzo and threatening to throw away our kids’ mystery-stained socks. (Just me? Cool.) This season, I’ve been on a mission: to refresh our home from “cozy cave of chaos” to “sun-drenched sanctuary” — but in a realistic, budget-friendly, mom-life-approved way. No, I’m not talking about gutting your kitchen. I’m talking about easy-peasy swaps that even your toddler can help mess up immediately after you finish them. Let’s get into it.  

Textiles Are Your Secret Weapon (AKA Magic Fabric Mood Changers)

I like to think of throw pillows and blankets as the lip gloss of home decor. They’re not permanent, they’re inexpensive, and they make everything feel fresh. In spring and summer, I stash the faux fur, the heavy knits, and anything that screams “hibernation” and swap in lighter linens, cottons, and gauzy throws. Think breezy neutrals with pops of citrusy color. I recently got lemon-yellow cushion covers from Target (under $15!) that made my sad little sofa feel like it went to Cabo and came back glowing. Mom tip: Get washable everything. You haven’t lived until you’ve scrubbed peanut butter out of a boucle pillow. (Actually, don’t. Just don’t.)  

Flower Power — With Zero Allergies

I am a firm believer that a floral arrangement (real or fake, no judgment here) is like instant serotonin for your living room. Even a $4 bunch from the grocery store in a mason jar can make you feel like you have your life together. For like, an hour. But let’s talk floral wall art — because this spring I went off redecorating my teen daughter’s room. She wanted something “aesthetic” (aka: whatever TikTok says is cool this week), and I wanted something that didn’t require painting a mural of Taylor Swift’s cats. We landed on oversized floral wall prints in soft pinks and golds — classy, feminine, and still “vibey,” as she calls it. Bonus: they came in a set of 3 on Etsy for under $40. I slapped them in IKEA frames and boom — teen dream achieved.  

Boy Wall Art That Isn’t Just Dinosaurs or Dirt Bikes

Okay, now let’s talk about the boys’ room. Because apparently, boys can’t just like flowers and pretty colors (sigh), so we leaned into a slightly moodier, summer-adventure vibe. Think vintage surfboards, ocean waves, and one very cool poster of a rocket that I think inspires imagination, but also might just make my son think he can build explosives. The trick? I gave him three choices I pre-approved on Etsy and let him “pick.” He felt in control. I didn’t end up with a wall-sized decal of a Fortnite character. That, my friends, is motherhood meets negotiation mastery.  

Wall Art: The Instant Room Mood Swinger

Whether you’re styling a nursery, a tween cave, or your own mom haven (ahem, wine nook?), switching out wall art can change the whole vibe — no paint needed. Try framed pressed flowers, canvas prints in sun-washed tones, or my personal favorite: those cute printable quotes you can get on Etsy for like, $2. (“Good vibes only” ironically placed next to a laundry pile gives me life.) Funny story — I once hung a “You Are My Sunshine” sign in our hallway and within 12 minutes, my toddler drew a mustache on the word “sunshine.” It’s still there. Honestly, it’s kind of on brand for our house now.  

Don’t feel like you need to buy a ton of new things. Sometimes just rearranging your current stuff makes a huge difference. I moved a side table from our guest room to the living room and suddenly felt like an interior designer with a Pinterest board and a latte addiction. Also, don’t be afraid to hide ugly things. I’ve shoved our wireless router behind a plant, tossed our clutter into a “decorative” basket, and I once disguised a juice stain with a strategically placed ottoman.  

Spring to summer is the perfect excuse to give your space a little glow-up — without breaking the bank, your back, or your sanity. Whether it’s swapping in some fresh florals, adding breezy new textiles, or letting your kids help (and by help I mean “immediately un-decorate”), these easy switches are all about bringing light, joy, and a little extra you into your home. Because moms deserve pretty spaces too — ones that feel lived-in, laughed-in, and maybe just a little bit stylish. 

Now spill — what’s the weirdest thing your kid has ever used as home decor? (I’ll start: half a cheese stick in a vase. True story.)

xoxo