“There is a reverence for the simple, quiet pleasures of living well and beautifully at home. Home is where we return for fulfillment and wholeness.” – Alexandra Stoddard
I love decorating my home and making it a warm, cozy, and beautiful environment for my family. I also like it clean and orderly – but that’s a fantasy most days with three kids at home all day schooling, creating, cooking, eating, playing, etc.
However, I personally believe that the most important thing for one’s home to be is a haven full of love, laughter, and the peace of God. I believe it should be a refuge from the rest of the world for you and your family, and a place of encouragement and gracious hospitality to others. It should rejuvenate all who live and visit there, and refresh their souls when necessary.
So first of all, invite the Lord as an honored Guest into your home, and continually be aware of His presence there. This will make a huge difference in the very atmosphere of your home. His love, peace, joy, mercy, grace and goodness will be there in abundance!
After making certain that the spiritual atmosphere is right, then it’s time to think about making it a place that satisfies your soul. Here are just a few tips to get you started:
- Surround yourself with what you love – collections, family photos, treasured heirlooms, art, antiques, etc. Fill your home with things that please your eye and fill your heart with joy.
- Think about the smells in your home. Make sure the aromas floating throughout come from delicious cooking or baking, fragrant flowers or scrumptious scented candles and oils – not odors from the laundry room or litter box!
- What sounds are you hearing on a regular basis? I believe that my children provide the sweetest music in our home with their laughter, singing, playing and chatter (and you probably feel the same way about yours – most days). But consider what other pleasant sounds your could incorporate into your home. Turn off the blaring TV and turn on some soothing classical music or praise and worship CDs. How about the soft, steady ticking of a grandfather clock, the humming of a fan, a bubbling water fountain, the ringing of wind chimes outside your window, or the sweet, melodious song of a canary (or songbirds at the feeder)? Fill your home with sounds that please your ears.
- Sooth your body with soft, comfy (and family friendly) sofas, chairs, slipcovers, blankets, plush cushions, rugs, etc. Your home should feel relaxing, restful. Create cozy spaces where you can snuggle up with a good book and a cup of tea.
- And finally, remember, even if you have your home elegantly decorated, if it’s messy, chaotic and disorganized it will cause undue stress on you and other family members. So add a daily routine of cleaning and straightening.
These are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing and stimulate your own ideas to beautify and enhance the atmosphere of your home. Think about various rooms in your house and how you can add your own creative, personal touch – a place that reflects you and your family.
Make your home into an environment that soothes your spirit, comforts your body and nourishes your soul!
