How to Decorate Your Home to Appease the Senses

Chaos is all around us. We sense it audibly, visually - even in the behavior of those around us. Yet as much as we try to control and manage the chaos that surrounds us, it seems to just be the way of this world.

Chaos doesn't have to rule in our lives or in our homes. Chaos is the opposite of what God intended when He created this world. In fact, when God created, He did so orderly and methodically creating an environment that nurtured His created things. So how can we create environments that nurture ourselves and our family rather than just control the chaos around us?

Let's first look at God's creation - nature. Nature is full of beauty. But it doesn't just visually appear beautiful. Sure, it has great forms, shapes, and lights. But nature also has beautiful sounds, smells, tastes, and textures. When God created, He didn't just create for our eyes to be pleased but for ALL our senses to be entertained. So how can we decorate our homes with more than just sight? With pleasing scents, textures, tastes, and sounds?

Start with Sight

It's no surprise that you should decorate with color, shape and light first. These are the things our eyes are drawn to most. When you decorate your home to be visually appealing, you draw others in. You create an atmosphere where people want to stay and rest rather than one that just looks good in photographs.

Indulge in Textures

Its said that walking barefoot in the grass can reduce anxiety and depression by 62%! Think about how often we go barefoot around our homes. Think about the textures we are feeling underfoot and how they might be affecting us on a sub-conscious level. Are you walking on hardwood? Shag? Low pile carpet? Cold Tile? What textures could you introduce to make your home more cozy for your feet.

Also, think about the things you are touching everyday - knobs, light switches, chair fabrics, pillows, bedding. Do these create a welcoming environment for you and your family? Are there simple ways you can upgrade your bedding or pillows to create a more luxurious environment? When you do, you communicate to yourself and others that this is a loving, nurturing environment.

Accentuate with Sound

Sounds in our home should be an afterthought. They shouldn't distract or overwhelm. But they should be used to boost conversations and moods. Think about the sounds of nature - a bird chirping, the rain falling. These are all pleasing sounds. You can get these in your home by placing furniture near windows or by simply opening your windows when the weather is nice. You can also try out a white noise machine or water feature in your home. Or simply use a bluetooth speaker so you can play music or ambient sounds from your phone or computer.

Appeal to Taste

It may seem weird - or even impossible - to decorate for taste. But think about the foods that bring happy memories for you. A fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies can bring back memories of baking with grandma. They can appeal to both the taste and smell sense. You can also leave more stable items around your kitchen or dining room - like a favorite wine bottle or bag of coffee. You can decorate a coffee or tea bar or add a bar cart of your favorite alcohols. A fresh bowl of citrus fruit can also appeal to the taste sense.

Capitalize on Smell

A lot of us go noseblind to the smells of our home just because we are inundated with them 24/7. But its important - especially if you have pets - to consider decorating with scents. Fragrances do wonders to evoke happy or nostalgic memories. You can even pick different scents for different seasons - citrus for spring, cinnamon for fall, etc. And its easy and cheap to decorate with DIY home fragrances, fresh flowers, diffusers or candles or even essential oils!

So what does all this give you? These small changes optimize your space to communicate love and care rather than stress or anxiety. If you're feeling blue or tired of your environment, but can't afford a huge home makeover, consider decorating for the senses.