Simple, frugal ideas to make your home a beautiful place…
1. Light candles. Keep your eyes out for candles at a discount–off-season candles go on sale, and often you can find them at thrift stores, yard sales, etc. Keep a steady supply of candles. Few things add such warmth and beauty to a home. (By the way, don’t wait until company comes–bless your family!)
2. Purchase an occasional bunch of flowers from Wal-Mart. Sometimes they are only 3 or 4 dollars for a small bunch. Enjoy them in a vase for a few days…add a few drops of bleach to the water and they’ll stay fresh longer.
But the best thing about flowers is, when they start to die, take them out of the water, tie a ribbon around them, and hang them upside down, right on your wall! The dried version is just as beautiful, and sometimes lasts for years!
3. Play soft music…along with candles, it can really change the atmosphere of the home. And even if you only choose the time right before hubby arrives, it’s a great way to settle everyone down and bless your husband as he comes home.
4. Keep baskets handy for quick pick ups. We keep a basket at the top of the stairs for any “down-going” objects…a basket in every room would allow you to pick up (for unexpected guests, etc.) and at least give the appearance of a tidy house in about 5 minutes! Let everyone help put the items in their places later.
Personal note here…I am REALLY working on the balance between living in a home, keeping it tidy, and being respectful of guests, and being real.
In other words, I want to maintain a tidy house for the peace of my family, and I want to bless others with a tidy house when they come for a visit, BUT, we are a family with 8 children, some small, and we do LIVE in our house! I do not want to portray perfection; that could actually discourage guests instead of blessing them.
5. Sing out loud, smile, and laugh. This is probably the most beautifying element of a family…don’t get too busy to forget the joy of the Lord!!!!
10 comments
I am working on a post about loving the home your in. Thanks for the tips. I would like to share a link to this. I am a big fan of the flowers. I sis this a few years ago. It also make me feel cheerful!
Kelly, You make me smile… Thanks, Susan
What lovely ideas! I love making my home a haven for my family and not just for company–the home should be all about the family anyway.
I enjoy drying just about every glower that comes in my door. 🙂 My eldest little boy -almost 2yo- tend to have a semi destructive effect on them whether it’s throwing something or crumbling them to discover the texture. 😛 But they are a renewable source of decoration!
I can only burn candles in winter AND non-pregnant, LOL. I smell things so clearly they make my head hurt when I’m expecting.
I love how music can set the mood, too. 🙂
Lovely post!
These are great ideas! I love how candles and flowers can make a home feel so cozy.
Frankly, I think as long as you don’t have food fermenting on your counters, and the stairs are clear (so no one falls), that’s plenty ‘clean’ for a big family! I would rather have a slightly ‘lived in’ house than one that is so clean you’re afraid to touch a doily, LOL! Your home sounds beautiful and inviting–just what a home should be.
Thanks for the good ideas. They are nothing I have not done at some point in the past, but that is it… PAST. I need to get back into it!
such words of wisdom when it comes to beautifying one’s home! thank you for your ideas!
I love number 4. You have stated beautifully on how we try to keep our home. Thank you so much. I struggle with this all the time. This makes me feel like I am not the only one. Take care and blessings.
matikochavi said on October 26th, 2011 at 7:31 pm