Making Your Home a Haven for the Holidays

Autumn is here! And there’s no better time to begin beautifying your home and making it a haven for the holidays.

Autumn ushers in cool air, crisp leaves, hot cups of apple cider, and snuggles in cozy comforters with the ones we love.

It begins an early setting of the sun and an awakening of family routines which slumbered in the haze of summer.

It gives birth to an epic explosion of color, just before the earth begins to slumber.

And just as our Heavenly Father created our earth with changing seasons, Autumn signifies that it’s time for us to change things up in our homes.

If you have design fatigue, you needn’t worry; making your home a place of beauty doesn’t have to be a chore – not when you borrow inspiration from creation and snag a few design tips from the Master Designer!

For instance, in nature we learn that God loves beauty, enjoys variety, and that he is masterful at using color, lighting, and textures to delight us and engage our senses.

Just consider the breathtaking textures of the Grand Canyon and the spectacular colors of the northern lights (aurora borealis) . . . these are just two jaw-dropping examples of how God uses texture and color in creation.

Though the sun lights up the sky by day, God uses the stars to create low-level illumination by night. They remind me of twinkly lights that add flair and pizzazz to the night sky!

God even uses fragrance to delight us and to establish mood, such as the aroma of a sweet-scented rose.

God truly is a Master Designer; all of creation reveals His glory!

And just as God razzle-dazzles us with his creation, creating a home that reflects his flair for beauty and order should be a priority for us as well. And thankfully, we find can the inspiration we need to do so right in the creation account of Genesis!

Color it Beautiful!

The paint colors we thoughtfully select can engender a sense of warmth and hominess, class and sophistication, or any other look or mood.

Choose Your Style

Truly, it makes no difference whether our style is traditional, contemporary, or eclectic; all that matters is that we create a space that has been thoughtfully planned.

Design with Intention

Our selective placement of furniture and the coordinating accessories that adorn our shelves can speak order and beauty to our family and friends and provide them with a visual treat!

Create an Atmosphere

The use of low lighting (lamps), fragrant candles, essential oils, and soft worship music helps to create a peaceful and calming atmosphere for our family – a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

One of the ways I make my home a haven is by giving my front garden a new look with the change of each season. Here is a picture from this years Fall Harvest garden…

Employ a Biblical Approach to Design

It’s imperative that we approach home décor and design from a biblical perspective. Creating a beautiful home environment is not about keeping up with the latest HGTV show. It’s not an excuse to engage in retail therapy or spend money that’s not in our budget.

Spending money that we don’t have is not only poor stewardship, but a tell-tale sign of a discontented heart. (Remind me of that the next time I blow $7 on my favorite drink from Starbucks!)

The goal of our living environment is to bless others and reflect God’s nature, so making peace with what we can afford is key. #contentment

Here’s a good take-away: no matter how modest our home may be, all that’s necessary is that our hand is at work in our home, just as God’s hand was at work in creation (Psalm 19:1), and that we are intentional about making the most of what we have. That’s just good stewardship!

If we simply follow God’s lead in Genesis, and we are “busy at home” like Paul admonishes (Titus 2:4), then Lord willing, our home will be a beautiful haven for our family.

From my home to yours,

Tiffiney

So, how are your making your home a haven for the holidays? Share your  thoughts below. I’d love to hear from you!

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This post was adapted from Welcome Home Ministry’s new 20-day devotional entitled “Because of Jesus, My Home Is…”

This devotional will inspire you to love your home, equip you to successfully build your home, and deepen your intimacy with God, based on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Once you sign up, you’ll receive a welcome letter and then a daily email for twenty days with a scripture verse, a devotional, and a prayer – all designed to help you discover how the rich blessings of your union with Christ uniquely impact your home.

Click here for your free copy.

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