31 Days to Bless Your Home, and How to Have Fun Doing It Too!
Week 2: The Sensual Home: Learning to Appeal to All Five Senses to Create Warmth and Beauty in our Homes
Day 8: Creating Visual Appeal
God made the heavens—
Royal splendor radiates from him,
A powerful beauty sets him apart. Psalm 96:5-6 MSG
Royal splendor radiates from him,
A powerful beauty sets him apart. Psalm 96:5-6 MSG
You don’t have to be a professional interior designer or spend endless hours perusing decorating tips on Pinterest to have a beautiful home. I am going to show you some easy things I have learned to help you make the most of what you have. That is what it is all about, after all! You don’t have to have an expensive showroom of a house to make it a home, but you can transform whatever you already have into something comfortable and beautiful.
Do not fret about your abilities or what you feel that you lack. Please do not compare your home to others. Rather, find what is meaningful to you and your family, and what expresses your own personality and taste. Who cares what is “in style.” Use what you like!
Start with flowers!There is nothing like flowers to lift a person’s spirits! That is why today’s challenge is to display fresh flowers somewhere in your home. It is one of the simplest yet most beautiful touches we can add to our homes.
Don’t discount the value of good quality silk flowers either! Some are ultra-realistic, and you won’t have to worry about them wilting! I have even seen some mix silk with real flowers to achieve a fuller, yet more practical display. Use what works for you!
Seasonal Splashes of Color: I love to add subtle color enhancement for each season or holiday. Right now, I have splashes of yellow, deep red, and orange strategically placed throughout my house. I have utilized very inexpensive items such as silk leaves and garland on clearance from a craft store.
Other easy ideas to add color and enhance the mood of a room are to add sofa pillows, accent rugs, throws, curtains, and lamps. These are inexpensive ways to change things up every so often and to break the monotony.
Lighting: One of my favorite ideas to create mood in my home is to change the lighting. This is very inexpensive and greatly affects one’s moods and emotions. Consider whether you enjoy cheerful, cool undertone lighting, or cozy and peaceful warm lighting.
Even though bright lighting may be useful for parties, most of the time, no one really enjoys sitting under a spotlight. Soft lighting is usually more appropriate for intimate or relaxing settings. Choose lamps with varying wattages so you can adjust the brightness according to the occasion. If you can install a dimmer switch, that is even better!
Keep your blinds and curtains open during the day and allow the cheerful sunlight in. I have actually read of studies that prove that people experience happier moods when they allow direct daylight inside.
To create a more romantic or peaceful mood in your home, light a fire in the fireplace, light candles, use low wattage accent lamps, or hide soft light strings in house trees, plants, or the fireplace mantle. Just thinking about it makes me feel cozy!
Table Settings: Try to break the habit of eating in front of the TV unless it is a casual night with a family movie or a ball game, for example. Put a beautiful arrangement on the table; use a pretty table cloth; light candles; and don’t be afraid to use your good china more often. Every meal time with our families is a special occasion! This is one way we can strengthen our family bond and create warm and pleasant memories of home for our children.
Décor/Artwork/Photos: I have heard it said, “There is no excuse to have a boring home.” However, for those of you like me, on a tight budget or insecure about choosing quality displays for our home, this is a challenge! My advice here is to scout yard sales, used furniture stores, auctions, etc. You can find some gorgeous things for very little money! It takes time and effort, but it is well worth it.
The Clutter Monster: Next week we will learn mega tips for defeating that out-of-control clutter monster! For now, suffice it to say that clutter is our enemy. Simple, clean, and neat is the goal! When you make the effort to keep your home tidy, you are creating an atmosphere of peace, joy, and relaxation. A home that is clean, organized, and clutter-free is so much more comfortable; however, you must be careful not to fall into the perfectionism trap. Neat does not mean un-lived in. It’s OK to be real!
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| Yes, I see the cobweb in the corner, but when I saw it, it made me laugh. See, I’m not perfect! |
As you can see, these ideas are easy, mostly inexpensive, and really make a difference. Don’t forget to put up some flowers today! Remember, keep it simple and inexpensive, and do the best you can with what you have. That is the key!
Week Two Challenge: Choose one new idea from each of the five senses to enhance the atmosphere of your home.
Today’s Challenge: Display some fresh flowers in your home.
Come back tomorrow, and we’ll talk about ways to add a comforting touch to our homes.
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Thank you and God bless!
Shari Lewis
