Lent Décor: Beautiful. Simple. Meaningful
Last year I wrote about undecorating your home for Lent, if you didn't catch it you can read more about it by clicking the button below. Essentially, I take you through the principles of what it means to prepare your home for this somber season and how to apply some basic liturgical principles then adapt them for your home.
When I say undecorate, what I really mean is that we are taking down the typical festive home adornments that we might have up, not that we won't have any décor at all. We are simplifying, just as the Church does, so that we can set the tone of the season in our domestic church. There has been so much research done on how our interior dispositions reflect our exterior environments. Consider how light, flowers, symbols, and bright colors affect our moods and emotions. It's no surprise that we all love the new décor inspiration of all white homes, muted tones, subtle flowers, and topiaries. These bright and airy houses are uplifting and they give us a sense of peace and beauty.
With that same understanding, we seek to achieve a certain type of environment during Lent, one that indicates to our interior life that we are about to journey through the desert. While some may truly undecorate by not displaying any additional home embellishments, others may seek to use humble and modest displays. These decorative efforts aren't meaningless, they are intended to remind us and invite us into the sacrifice of the cross.
To get us all thinking and create a space for ideas I have developed five categories to focus on.
Wreaths
Cloth
Jars
Candles
Arrangements
Let's decorate!
Wreaths
This particular wreath is really unique, I never see anything like this when I'm out and about and I always appreciate individuality when I'm decorating. If you are feeling up to it or have a bit of extra time, this is something that you could consider making.
Another good front door option is with grapevine, and you can find these basic wreaths at any craft store. Add on a burlap bow or even wind it all the way around and you've got a simple door adornment.
While I typically try to stray away from flowers during this season, in imitation of the Church, it doesn't hurt to have a few small ones here and there. Our homes are not the Church proper, so it's okay to make these creative adjustments. This wreath has character and beauty, while still giving off a Lenten vibe with its branches and small pops of purple.
Cloth
Don't be intimidated by using cloth in your home. I know often times we can be unsure of what to do with it, but don't over think it. If you have a home altar, front door table, long TV stand, or mantle you can simply bunch it up and drape it around your current arrangement. Look at the picture below for an example of this. I also like the large jars filled with rock and branches, that might be something to consider imitating. It's inexpensive too, all things that can be found either outside or at the dollar store.
You can also bring in the Lenten color of purple by purchasing a couple of throw pillows or pillow covers. It's an easy way to bring a burst of purple to the living room, front door bench, or bedroom.
In many homes, the dining room is a focal point for decoration. Last year I purchased a really pretty purple gauze runner for under $10.00. This image has a purple linen table runner and cloth napkins. If you are hosting any dinners during Lent this would be a lovely way to elevate the table. The touch of twine on the napkins is a nice detail and instead of the leaf you could do a little branch.
