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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.
Jars
I know that sacrifice jars are a popular option during Lent and are great with kids. However, if you're like me and don't have kids in your house, or your kids are older, then I would just go with a beautiful jar that can be used in a practical or decorative way.
Purple kitchen or bathroom jars might be considered if you find something like this. For the bathroom, you could put in cotton balls, q-tips, bath salts, bath bombs, bubble bath, make-up foam wedges, floss, you name it. For the kitchen, you can use these for almost any small wrapped food or baking ingredient.
When I saw this I thought it would be a great craft project. Instead of putting "Hope" you could put "Lent" and instead of flowers you could add in a little succulent or cactus at the top.
Candles
Candles are a must in my house! I light one almost every day and it just helps make for a more prayerful and relaxed environment. Below are a few ideas, and while I'm personally not a big fan of the purple pinecone, the pillar candles with branch arrangement around it would make a great addition to any home.
This image is one of my favorite candle ideas, but if this were mine I would do six candles: four purple, one pink, and one red for each week of Lent. Many of us probably own some sort of tray that we can use. Then delicately tie the twine around your candles, add in some moss, little succulents, and you have a really nice centerpiece. Perfect for the dining room or coffee table.
Of course you can't go wrong with just a basic candle arrangement. These cylinder vases are very easy to find and the pillar candles can be ordered off of Amazon.
Arrangements
The picture below caught my attention as something that's unique, stylish, and easy to make at home with the family. In these glass jars you can layer almost anything you want, but to get you going here are some ideas.
Rocks
Dirt
Moss
Twigs
Sand
Top with a succulent or cactus plant
This is faux purple pampas grass and it really lends itself to a more sophisticated look. You could trim the faux stem down and put it in a short rounded glass vase or leave it long and arrange it in very tall cylindrical vase. Depending on the height that you go with, this arrangement could even stand from the floor.
This is another pretty option, it's simple and plain but makes a statement. Especially in a room with higher ceilings this would look nice in the center of your table, on a bar top, or on your mantle if it were in a smaller vase with the twigs trimmed.
Anyone can put this together with a small wooden crate, piece of burlap, mason jars, and lavender. I like that this look is very accessible and gives off that French country feel that is so often adored.
