For the past year we’ve been slowly but surely renovating our home. While some of our projects were more involved, like reconfiguring a section of our kitchen and getting new counter tops and flooring, many of the changes were simple updates such as painting walls, rearranging how we used the space we have, updating accessories with flea market finds or simple craft projects.
All of the changes we made actually make living in our home more enjoyable for us. While some of the updates might appear to be just cosmetic or even superficial, there is something very refreshing and rejuvenating about taking care of our family’s home. Not only did we update how our home looks, but we have been working on better organizational systems and function. And many of the things we focused on this past year involved nurturing relationships, both in our marriage and family life. It’s been good to see how small steps towards change add up to bigger impact.
Our home is a blessing. It is place to nurture our family relationships and that safe place where we recharge ourselves to go back out into the world and serve God. It is so important to create that place of refuge. We invested creatively in our life at home last year and it has paid off in more ways than we can count.
Truly Blessed Family Organization Center
Here are five “REFRESHING R’s” and some links to posts that might inspire you to creatively REJUVENATE your life at home this year!
RETHINK:
Is there a better way to use the space you have? We don’t necessarily need a bigger or better house, we just might need to rethink the space you already have and then create a home that works for your family.
RENEW:
Renewing your home doesn’t have to be expensive or require special skills. Simple makeovers can be done in a weekend!
How about a fun bathroom makeover or create simple but meaningful book page art?
REORGANIZE:
If a system (or lack of!) is not working for you or causing you stress, it is time to reorganize! I recently solved one of the most stressful paper problems we had in our home, maybe this “Take Action Magnetic Board” will inspire you too? Better organization means less stress, which leads to more peace and more energy!
RISK:
There is something exhilarating about stepping outside of your usual safety zone to try something a little more adventurous in your decor! Adventure will fuel your inner creativity and actually reenergize your life at home. Maybe try something new to you, like mixing and layering patterns and colors or be more adventurous with a color scheme (and maybe take a risk with painting your kitchen cabinets!)
REJOICE:
It’s easy to fall into the trap of seeing greener grass in your neighbors yard, or coveting the house you see on someone else’s blog. But no house is perfect, it is a matter of perspective. And part of that is accepting the season of life we are in and acknowledging how we’ve been cared for. God has blessed us with a roof over our heads. That’s a gift we can be grateful for. How can we creatively nurture that space as a blessing and love the home we have, even if it isn’t our dream house?
What are some ways you find renewed energy and creative inspiration at home?
Leave a Comment
kris scorza-sobieski says
thank you melissa. needed the reminder not to take our home for granted. AND to remember it’s a blessing. both to us and to those we open our doors to. –kris
Jessica says
This reminder was meant just for me, Melissa! I have been feeling “stuck” with certain systems and spaces in my home. It’s time to rethink and rework a few things! Thanks for the pick-me-up! 🙂
Melissa @ The Inspired Room says
You are welcome, Jessica!
Linda Stoll says
RECONFIGURE!
Moving objects once treasured and now virtually ignored to another, perhaps unexpected location in the house allows us to cherish them in a brand new light.
mmm … a collectible that’s been in the living room forever shows up on the bathroom counter. A picture in the hallway gets rehung in the kitchen. An old basket or container gathering dust in the attic makes an appearance in the bedroom.
Thanks for the inspiration this morning, Melissa!
Melissa @ The Inspired Room says
Yes, reconfiguring is FUN! Thanks Linda!
Kimberly says
We’re in the process of looking for a new home and the selection in our price range is so dire, the words “dream home” sound impossible to achieve. I’ll be tucking this post away in my heart for later when I’m moving into a circa 1970’s kitchen;)
Fauzi @ Hodgepodge of Styles says
We moved into our new home about a year now. This house was a blessing to us from the beginning. I was excited to decorate the entire house right away but now we are taking our time, doing everything one day at time. It’s better this way as we discussed how and what we want to do with some areas, having a mutual consensus. The process has help our relationship too. Definitely will not take our our new home for granted. Thanks for sharing this.
Bonnie says
“Less is more” is true. Over the last 16 years I have been overwhelmed by quantity and so was on a journey to minimize. A lot had been passed on, sold or taken to Goodwill. I had just remodeled a 30 year old small ranch style house to really make it “home.” Scraped off popcorn ceilings throughout, added crown molding, resurfaced hardwood floors, painted each room and bought wardrobe organization systems so every item had its place.
Then it was all destroyed in a tornado. That was April 2011.
I believe less is more. This last year has been peaceful with very little “stuff”. Simple, minimal elegance! Have ONLY what you LOVE. Most visitors to my space commented on how peaceful it made them feel.
Last week I moved from Tennessee to Oregon. I got rid of more stuff. It is refreshing. I laughed.
Melissa @ The Inspired Room says
Hi Bonnie, good for you. Having only what you love really makes life more peaceful! PS. I love Oregon, that is where I’m from. I miss it! I’m up in Washington so not too far away 🙂
Bonnie says
“Less is more” is true. Over the last 16 years I have been overwhelmed by quantity and so was on a journey to minimize. A lot had been passed on, sold or taken to Goodwill. I had just remodeled a 30 year old small ranch style house to really make it “home.” Scraped off popcorn ceilings throughout, added crown molding, resurfaced hardwood floors, painted each room and bought wardrobe organization systems so every item had its place.
Then it was all destroyed in a tornado. That was April 2011.
I believe less is more. This last year has been peaceful with very little “stuff”. Simple, minimal elegance! Have ONLY what you LOVE. Most visitors to my space commented on how peaceful it made them feel.
Last week I moved from Tennessee to Oregon. I got rid of more stuff. It is refreshing. I laughed.
Ashley Ditto says
I love the less is more, and trying it in my own home. Bless you, thank you for writing this. I needed it!
Jennifer says
These links are so helpful! And I agree. Our homes should be a place of refuge. So many are not fortunate in this regard.
Miriam says
I need these R’s!!! Thanks Melissa!!!!
Lisa says
I really enjoyed your post and am now following your blog. Renew and Reorganize are my favorite. 😉
Lis says
Great post with great reminders! I am enjoying sharing this one!
Beth WIlliams says
Good post@
I believe less is more. We don’t need a lot of junk in our house. I am constantly going through stuff and taking it to Goodwill or some other organization. This year we will do a number of renovations to our 1960s house–making it more and more like our home!
Orlando Interior Paint Contractor says
Melissa,
Your post offers much insight and guidance on creating a space that nourishes and revives ‘living’ in the space. Great post offering wonderful tips! I’m always surprised when people use more objects, rather than say a painted wall or fabric, to warm up a room.
Thanks
Refreshing Your Home Inside & Out {Tips to Get Started!} - The Inspired Room says
[…] 5 R’s to Rejuvenate Your Home […]
Laura @ The Turquoise Home says
I loved this Melissa! Such a wonderful reminder.
Interior designs says
One of the most clever ideas I’ve seen. You did a FABULOUS job. Creative and practical. I love it. Might just do one for myself! Thankss