Today we have a post by our sweet contributor, Jenny, from The Sweet Stuff:
I love making my home feel festive with each passing season.
In fact, I feel that caring for our homes is a Biblical duty. Yes, we are to clean and cook and keep our home prepared as instructed in Proverbs 31, but what about beauty?
We can look numerous places in scripture to see that adding beauty to our homes is not frivolous, but rather a way to honor God.
First, the woman in Proverbs 31 is noted as, “She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.”(V. 22). In this verse we see that the woman goes beyond what is necessary and required. She uses “fine” linen in a rich color. She even strives to make the beds look lovely with coverings.
Secondly, God was the ultimate creator. He created seasons. He created vlossoms on apple tress and butterflies, and all of the many flower varieties. He loves beauty and is the author of it. Thus, any time we use our God-given creativity to add beauty to our lives, we can honor Him.
However, for me, living in a small home means there is little room for storing seasonal decorations and living on a small budget means there is little opportunity to purchase such decorations.
Over the years, I have found many ways to spruce up my home for the seasons with little to no financial burden!
1. Bring the outdoors in.
I love flowers, but avoid purchasing them from the store because I know even that small cost will add up over time. Spring is a perfect time to add free flowers and greenery to the home.
Go for a drive to pick some wildflowers.
Trim branches of leafy bushes or trees from your yard.
Grow some flowers in your yard and snip them to adorn your tables. Calendulas are an easy blooming flower that add plenty of brightness to a jar or vase!
Another way to bring the outdoors in is to keep windows open. Light a spring-scented candle or diffuse some floral essential oils.
2. Change up the Décor.
I don’t have much extra décor, but there are a few simple and inexpensive ways to freshen up your home décor for spring.
You can rearrange items in your home, so that brighter or more pastel pillows, vases, etc. are in your main living spaces.
Collect tablecloths from thrift stores and then pull out your lacey or floral ones in the spring.
We have a chalkboard above our mantel and I change the drawing on it each season or holiday.
Print out and hang spring poems or songs on the wall.
In addition, if you sew or crochet, this could be an inexpensive way to make seasonal pillows and throws that will add color and a festive air to your home. You can often find vintage floral sheets at thrift stores to make new tablecloths or pillowcases out of!
You may not be able to “gather from afar” like the Proverbs 31 woman, but there are many simple and inexpensive ways to add a flair of spring to your home! Take a walk around your home, neighborhood, or local open space and see what inspires you! Then, bring it in to freshen up your home with new life!
Jenny is a wanna-be homesteader living in California with her husband, 3 daughters (and a baby on the way). She enjoys raising suburban chickens, baking bread, homeschooling her children, and adventuring in the outdoors. Her family is committed to living small in square footage, but living large and full lives!
