5 Ways to Beautify Your Surroundings
The Proverbs 31 woman paid attention to aesthetics and detail. Yes, she lavished attention on her family, made sure her household ran smoothly, and gave to the needy - and she also made time for the small things in life.
Adding touches of beauty to your surroundings can help foster an atmosphere of peace and well-being. No amount of decoration can replace a loving home. But attention to attractive details can go a long way towards encouraging and cheering your family or roommates. Here are five things you can do to add a touch of beauty to your environment.
1. Straighten things up.
Our colonial ancestors believed that cleanliness is next to godliness. I don’t know if I would go quite that far, but it is amazing the impact a lack of clutter has on your mental state. Speaking of which, I need to finish cleaning my room…
2. Light candles.
Every evening at dinner, my family lights two candles. We have done this for as long as I can remember. Whether it’s at the dinner table or while you’re doing paperwork or reading your Bible, lighting a candle can add such a peaceful ambiance. (Of course, please do not leave them unattended. I’ve seen what that can do, and it’s not pretty at all.)
3. Make coffee or tea.
Is there anything better than the aroma of coffee? I don’t even really drink it, and I love the fragrance. And it’s so cozy and satisfying, seeing the steam waft gently up from a piping hot cup of coffee or tea.
4. Hang pictures.
…Your own pictures, that is. In my room at college, my walls were covered with pictures of the people I met in Peru. And our living room had two mostly black-and-white collages of architecture and scenery from my roommate’s travels in Europe. International or not, giving a little artistic thought to a photo collage can create a beautiful result.
5. Embrace natural light.
Open those window blinds and let the sunshine in!
Now I feel inspired to finish cleaning my room, light a candle, sip a cup of something warm, and open my window blind while I ponder what my photo collage should look like! What are some simple things you do to beautify your surroundings, whether it’s at home, at work, or elsewhere?
Filed under: Miscellaneous on May 16th, 2008
I make sure my bed is always made. Thats the first thing people see when they walk in to the room and if that part is cluttered up then the rest of the room looks worse. I also buy Salt City candles or essential oils to burn. There’s just something to this aromatherapy thing. My scent is Clean Linen, and it just is so crisp and clean smelling it feels like Im on the beach.
Straigten things up…. Absolutely! I’ve noticed the past few months that I’ve been trying to write the proposal for my PhD that I can make progress when I’m working on my laptop at a clean table. I just can NOT seem to make progress when I sit down at my desktop with all the nearby stacks of to-do lists and clutter. So it is excellent advice to pick up the mess a little!
Straightening up is great advice. In my bedroom I usually always “tidy up” even before doing my prayer time. It helps limit distractions.
I think I’ll go make me some right now!
Also, I love candles and flowers. We try to keep our garden full of flowers so at any time one of us can run outside and pick a fresh bouquet to put on the kitchen table or a nightstand. That really makes a difference.
And hot tea… my favorite!
I, too, love a cup of coffee… nothing better than the smell of freshly brewed coffee. I also keep a bouquet of fake-but-realistic-looking flowers on my desk… not only do they brighten up the room, but they always stay “fresh”!
(I’m new to your blog, Anna, and I love it! Keep it up!)
Hi Lindsay, welcome!
I agree with both you and Kaysie - I love flowers; even fake ones make such a big difference!
I am a major perfectionist, so I usually keep things pretty tidy!
Aw it makes me want to have a clean room and unpack as well.
Oh, I couldn’t agree more, Anna!
Yes, pictures and posters are so vital to the total look of the room. I love landscapes, seascapes, and flowers. You can find some great ones at allposters.com. It really depends on the room, but you may also want to get a painting.
Generally, if the room in question is more old-fashioned in style you will probably want a painting for your wall, and if it is more contemporary you’ll most likely need a photo. Not a hard and fast rule–I’m sure there are many exceptions–but just a guideline.
One more thing–this is kind of a spin-off of your “straighten up” suggestion–I think simplicity is extremely important when it comes to interiors. Some may feel differently, but I think that minimalist style is especially great for study spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, and even kitchens because that’s where most of life takes place. Personally, I just can’t think if I’m in one of those antiquey spaces where trinkets are everywhere! Of course, to each his/her own–some are just the opposite!
Sorry, just couldn’t help telling everyone what I think!
I am the final authority on such matters, after all. 
haha
–lina
Catalina, I love your mention of simplicity and minimalism. I am not one of those women who can look at interior design magazines for hours and make a room look completely perfect. I would much rather have things neat and simple than perfectly designed. But I’m learning other little tricks too. So I agree with you!
Goodness me, I didn’t realize that my comment was epistle-length! Sorry about that one, Anna.
No problem! There’s no policy about length.
Thanks Anna! Tidiness makes a room seem so much larger and helps me think better. Light walls and decor and window-light also help rooms seem so much more cheerful and bright.
I agree, Maria! My parents built our house with lots of windows and high ceilings, and it helps so much.
Sounds great! I love natural light - let the sun shine in! Not only does a clean and attractive home just look better, but like you said, it makes you feel so much better!