“She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.” -Proverbs 31
Just two months ago, I said “I do” to the man of my dreams, and began the greatest adventure of my life! I so looked forward to being married for many reasons, but I was really excited to simply have a home with my husband. Home is by far one of my very favorite places on earth to be. However, being a newlywed, I am definitely not an expert filled with wisdom on what it means to be the “perfect wife” just yet. I am just going to share my tips with you from one wife to another! I have learned to decorate and cultivate beauty in our home in a small space and on a tight budget!
1- Stay within your budget! Learning to navigate a brand new life as a married woman has enough obstacles already. Don’t put extra stress on your husband by breaking the bank right off the bat! My husband so appreciates that I find ways to make our home beautiful while remaining within our budget. The lovely blue chairs you see in the photos above were $40 on Craigslist. Utilize the wonderful resources around you for décor! Check out the local flea markets, antique shops, thrift stores, and Craigslist steals {Craigslist often offers FREE furniture as well}. A fun DIY décor idea is to paint wine bottles {which you will see in many of my photos} rather than purchasing vases. Stay positive and remember that decorating on a budget is creative and fun!
2- Work with the amount of space you have been given. Our place is simply a humble one bedroom apartment, but that didn’t stop us from making it our first home. Wall collages {like the ones in the photos above} are a fabulous way to utilize empty, drab, white, apartment wall space. It turns your boring wall into a piece of art. One of my favorite things to do on our wall collages is to frame beautiful cards that loved ones have given me. They become the most personal artwork. Add quotes, photos, clocks, maps, whatever feels like you. Wall collages are a beautiful way to reflect who you are for all of your guests to view. Our wall collage is just beginning, and the fun part is watching it grow and expand as we add to it!
Size and money are no object. You can easily decorate your dorm room, apartment, or home and fill it with personal items that fill your soul with warmth. A great way to store extra magazines or blankets for girls night or guests is to go thrifting and find a lovely basket {like the one in the
photo above}. It is an easy way to store and organize those extra goodies in a small space!
3- Bring life to your home! The photo above is a collage of different areas in our home. There are so many ways to bring life to your home, any size, any budget. -Plants and candles are easy ways to instantly make a place feel like home. {Succulents are extremely easy-to-maintain plants, for those of you who aren’t sure you have a green thumb}. -Put your memories on display. You’ll see my collection of tea pots, books, antique jewelry boxes, and a blanket from our honeymoon in Mexico. I smile as I look around the house and see little moments in time that brought me joy. -God’s word is alive! Having my bible time, journal time, and reading “The Power of a Praying Wife” {all with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea} is crucial to maintaining a peaceful home. Prioritize your daily quiet time…it is necessary!
4-Don’t strive for perfection {it isn’t possible!}. It rained on our wedding day, and from day one of our marriage, we had to learn that each day wouldn’t always be perfect or go as planned. I used to read Proverbs 31 and find excitement, as well as anxiety, because I didn’t know if I would live up to those standards or be the kind of wife God has called me to be. This wife is sometimes flawed, busy, multitasking, and definitely lacking the genes and desire it takes to be Martha Stewart. I still sometimes find myself overwhelmed, as a new wife, with obligations…cooking, cleaning, perfection, and these unrealistic expectations that the Pinterest world says about marriage. But I have found that taking a deep breath, relaxing, and enjoying the gift of marriage is more important than striving for perfection.
Our homes don’t have to fit into a cookie cutter photo in “Better Homes” magazine. Your home, no matter what size, should reflect your own unique personality. Remember that you don’t have to maintain an immaculate home at all times in order to be an amazing young woman. God didn’t design you to be a robot. Be a beautiful mess. Be perfectly imperfect!
For more on Rachael Lee Clarkson, you can visit her at: RachaelLeeClarkson.com And take a look at her new contributing blog for young women at: IdentityGirlsOnline.com
