Less & More: The WFH Mom Edit

Break out the windchimes and spray paint, it is time to decorate…

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From dopamine decor to wonderful workspaces, you know I want my home to always be my happy, loud, colorful slice of joy. A few years ago I started focusing my energy on making my yard match the joyful, colorful vibes of the inside of my house. With summer right around the corner, this is the time of year where I always try to do just a few (or too many) projects to get my yard ready for all the fun while my kids are off school.

When I was a kid my dream was to have a yard just like the wind chime garden in the Harriet the Spy movie. I just want it to be a fun, functional, cute, and happy space on my acre of land…is that so much to ask??

While I already think my yard is C-U-T-E, I like to freshen things up and start new projects every Spring to make it even more delightful. Here are five ways I’m transforming my yard into the most adorable lil place in the whole wide world.

Cute, Little Garden Flair: I believe in a little garden everywhere (like this one!). I have larger garden spaces throughout my yard and then create kooky, cute, little gardens with statues, accessories, and alllll the bright flowers. In our front yard we created a little “bone garden” with skeletons and flowers. It stays there year round because you know I lean all the way in to my brand of crazy. If I see a good spot, I will fill it with fairy doors or skeletons or a cute little tire-turned-donut planter.

This year I am adding a little wildflower patch to our  yard with the dream that someday I can cut my own weekly blooms. I am also planning a raised garden been with these beds and a metal trellis. Am I dreaming of a pumpkin arch by Fall? Maybe.  

Functional & Fierce: The thing about having a yard is that is has to be *kind of* functional (fine!). I started repurposing, repainting, and just giving all the storage and more functional things a glow up.  Our Blackstone and grill area is a must but it doesn’t mean it has to be blah! I utilize bright outdoor rugs and have wrapped fairy lights around our fencing near the cook station for some sweet ambiance. Years ago I made a little play area under the swingset with big blocks, play food, etc. I added decals to make it all cute as a dang button, too. 

This year we have to get our outdoor water lines redone (yay.) and I’m using it as an excuse to buy a new hose holder and make it sassy.  I’m also working on storage as my kids get older and what they want in the yard changes (I’ll miss you, plastic stack of pancakes for our mud kitchen). 

Pops of Color & Fun: Listen, like I mentioned, I believe in leaning all the way in to whatever you like. Make your space YOURS! Last year, after over ten years of dealing with patio tile that was crumbling and SUPER slick when wet, I took a hammer to the patio. Just on a random Friday afternoon I started swinging and one week later the clunky tile chunks were hauled away and I painted the concrete slab this millennial gray. It’s a perfect backdrop for pops of color and I am no longer afraid to step on the patio when there’s been some rain. Win-win. I add color ALL over the place because neon is my neutral. That patio umbrella with solar lights? One of my favorite things. 

Sweet Seats & Cozy Vibes: One of my BIGGEST goals for this year is to create more cozy seating. We have a firepit with bright Adirondack chairs all around it and I got the best hammock for Mother’s Day last year but I need more. Our yard has so many little pockets of nature so I’m planning to put this covered swing  in the space that overlooks the cornfield behind our house (guys, I’m verrrrrrrry Midwest). Add some cute outdoor pillows and this is my new reading nook. This pink zero-gravity lounger has been on my list forever, too. It’d be perfect next to my ban.do heart-shaped pool that I blow up every year!    

Remembering That Kids Live Here: First and foremost, my yard is the place where my kids and their friends are making childhood memories so I try to treat it as such. It’s cute and kooky but also filled with things to do and places to explore. Two of my favorite things that I have had the biggest return on investment when it comes to kid fun? This disc swing and our swingset. I waited a long time to splurge on a swing set and finally in 2020 when my children – who usually went to a park every single day – couldn’t leave the house, I bought one. Ours has held up SO well and was relatively easy to assemble (I say that as someone who just got everyone actually building it ice water and planted flowers while they all hammered away). 

This year our swingset is getting a glow up, too. My kids and I have already made plans to make the bottom a Nerf War base and I’m restaining the whole thing. It will be so worth it when its done and I’m so happy our swing set is growing up with our kiddos. 

Bonus tip? Upcycle! You don’t have to spend a ton of money to add little touches to your yard. I loooove to find things are upcycle them into something fun. Our bright teal sun loungers that people always comment on? My husband found them at a garage sale for $5 before my kids were born. I just fixed a couple cracks, hit them with spray paint and sealer, and added pillows from Michael’s. This stack of books that adds a nerdy pop to our front yard? They were pavers that were in our crawlspace before we refinished it. Did it hurt all my muscles to lug them up the stairs and outside? Yes. Did I love painting them? Also, yes. 

No matter what you do, make your space what YOU love. 

I will be sharing as I complete projects in my yard to give all the Harriet the Spy vibes. Want to keep up with my yard plans? You can check out what I’m shopping on ShopMy and see my wacky and wonderful ideas on Pinterest, too. 

How do you make your home – in and out – feel like your happy place?