Keke Palmer Reveals the ‘Most Extra Thing’ in Her House — and It’s All Thanks to Her Mom (Exclusive)

Keke Palmer, the vibrant and multifaceted actress known for her dynamic roles in film and television, recently opened up about her home life and recent partnership with cleaning product brand Seventh Generation. In a conversation with PEOPLE, she shed light on her decor choices and the simplicity she seeks in cleaning products, highlighting her journey into motherhood as a turning point in her decision-making.

Despite her high-energy and larger-than-life persona, Palmer revealed that her home decor is somewhat influenced by her mother, Sharon Palmer. Keke, 32, humourously acknowledged that her mother takes the lead on embellishments, particularly with numerous solo photographs of her displayed throughout the house. “There are so many pictures in my house of me solo,” she said, laughing. “And people are going to think it’s me, but it’s my mom.”

The actress described her mother’s tendency to adorn her home with images that showcase her, sometimes in less-than-stylish selfies. Keke recounted, “Sometimes they’ll be like selfies, and I’m like, ‘This is an iPhone photo. What are you doing with this in your house?’ My mom is like, ‘You’re beautiful; you need to remember that,’” highlighting the humour in the situation. She lovingly added that while she could take some of them down, her mother’s wishes prevail. “My mom wants it, my mom gets it,” she quipped.

While Keke embraces a certain exuberance in her home decor, she draws the line at the cleaning products she uses. Through her collaboration with Seventh Generation, she is promoting a more minimalistic approach to household cleaning, which she insists should be devoid of unnecessary additives. She explained that the brand’s commitment to using clean ingredients aligns with her philosophy: “Their products are committed to not being extra, meaning with the ingredients and just extra additives and stuff that you don’t want in your dishwasher, like dyes and fragrances.”

Motherhood has significantly influenced Keke’s perspective on health and safety, particularly concerning her son, Leodis “Leo” Andrellton, whom she welcomed with ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson in February 2023. “When you’re first becoming a mum, you’re looking at everything online that’s gonna help you prepare to make sure you do the right thing… from laundry to dishwashing and all this type of stuff that you and the baby consume,” Palmer reflected. This awareness heightened her desire to ensure that her child is not exposed to harsh chemicals.

Now, Keke cherishes moments spent with Leo in the kitchen, a space she describes as the hub of her home, often reminiscent of classic sitcoms. “If you think about the old school sitcoms and the family room is like the kitchen, that’s how my house is,” she explained. “There’s always just something that we’ve got to clean up, and my son sometimes likes to clean up with me after.” She shared how much joy it brings her to involve Leo in cooking and cleaning, making these activities a shared bonding experience between mother and son.

Recently, Keke also spoke about the milestones Leo has achieved, particularly his ability to communicate. At the Los Angeles premiere of her new Peacock series, The ‘Burbs, Palmer expressed her awe, saying, “The [most recent] would be my son talking. The process of seeing him grow from being a little baby that didn’t speak to having words, opinions, and a personality is incredible.”

Palmer mused on the lessons she learns from her son, noting how he teaches her to embrace a more relaxed approach to life. “He’s teaching me — most importantly, I think — just how to relax and how to live,” she said, underlining the reciprocal relationship they share. Keke feels that viewing life through the lens of motherhood allows her to reflect on her own experiences and ultimately be a better parent.

As Keke Palmer continues to navigate her career and motherhood, her partnership with Seventh Generation encapsulates her commitment to providing a safe and nurturing environment for her son. With a blend of humour, affection, and a touch of glamour, Keke embodies a modern mother dedicated to balancing traditions and contemporary values while ensuring her family thrives in a healthy home.