A few years ago, we decided we wanted our home to better share our story. Our desire was to decorate in a way that clearly communicated what was most important to us as a family.
As a result, we removed outdated objects, knick-knacks collecting dust, and any decoration bought only because it matched the color of our couch.
What remained were the pieces most important to us: photos of our family and growing children, a scenic image of Vermont given to us by friends, a beautiful piece of art we received on our wedding day, and a few items that have always been important to my wife.
Each of our decorations tell a story. Our home and the pictures on our walls display what is most important to us.
Now, I realize that personal tastes in this matter vary widely. The art of making a home is always going to look different from person to person. And I know that we hang far less pictures on our walls than most.
But generally speaking, regardless of the number, it is interesting to me that most of us hang the same types of pictures on our walls:
We hang photos of our family. We display photos from places we have visited or would like to visit. We post inspirational words about love and laughter and living life to the fullest. We frame images of a life filled with quietness and rest.
Nobody hangs images on their walls of a hurried, busy, stress-filled life. Nobody displays photos of more money. And nobody decorates their homes with pictures of another day at the office.
Instead, on our walls, we celebrate family, friends, and faith in a better world.
But then, for some reason, we head out the door to live hurried lives of desperation. We rush from one appointment to another hoping to find a better life through anxious worldly gain. And each day, we pile anxiety upon anxiety.
Meanwhile, the pictures on our walls invite us to something better. They remind us of a life lived on purpose with meaning. And they call for us to focus on the very things that make us human.
Unfortunately, too many of us will never notice.
We are out striving for the next dollar that we can use to buy another framed picture of the life we wish we were living.
Donna says
My husband is an artist and we only hang his art in our home along with some photos we have blown up from vacations and our family pictures! Those are the items that make us the most happy and that we want to be surrounded by every day!
kathryn says
I have very few things on the walls and like it. I want it to look like I’m just passing through as Heaven is my home. Keep up your great work.
Judy B says
You are so right about just passing thru. One of my favorite things is a rather impressionist water color by a priest of Jesus on the cross.
Jiillii says
Nice article. I also think it’s important to regularly change the pictures on our walls. Like anything, they become something you get used to seeing, a part of the wall and in time you stop noticing them. Changing the pictures regularly or moving them encourages you to keep looking each time, an ongoing reminder of what you have and what you want to be.
Sharon says
Could anyone know why I prefer black and white . Hands, babies hands, mom and dad with babies hands. The innocence of small children, couples, old couples in love , close ups of very old peoples wrinkles in their faces. My parents dating , shots taken of our children when they were young….all in black and white. Anyone have any idea? Flowers, barns, cars, blah. I have to have these around, not too many, or I rotate. One picture I framed is in black and white with President Obama running outside the White House with their new puppy years ago. Him in suit and tie and it still makes me smile daily.
Sharon says
Sorry, I meant I don’t care about flowers, barns, cars, birds, books, China settings are all of no use to me!
janet @ the ordinary life of jannybean says
I agree so much! I am still on a journey to owning less but one place I love to have clutter is on my walls. I love to cover my walls with important pictures, mementoes, paintings, etc.
For my peace of mind, I like to have my surfaces clear and don’t have many shelves or ledges, but I love stuff on my walls.
It has actually helped me reduce what I purchase as well once I noticed this. When we travel I will only pick up one memento for the trip and it has to be something to go on a wall. I ignore candles and knick-knacks now knowing I won’t keep them.
But my walls? Those are our family’s history.
Orion says
I refuse to put photos on my walls–paintings only. I don’t want to look at people, I can go on Facebook for that. But a painting is aesthetically pleasing and relaxing.
Paintrboy says
We have very few pictures in our home. A wedding gift, art. One of the park in my home city, A nice impresssionist oil painting (not even framed) and some old ads from the mail, newspaper that we found and had framed. Couple of German Advent calendars that were brought back from WW2. And a few family photos.
You really don’t need more. A client of mine 4 years ago moved from a 5 bdrm/3 bth mansion to a 2 brdrm /2bth townhouse. He told me, “I had to have a library. I always wanted one and when we built our last house I had them build a Beautiful large room library upstairs. You know how many times I used that room?”
“No.” I replied.
“Once. A week after we moved in. Now in this house I had a designer make 1 wall a library in the living room. One wall. Do you know how many times I use it?”…………..”Everyday. Every single day.”
Judy says
I have been reading your blog for some time now. After a horrific illness two years ago, I decided I wanted to live a more simple, quiet, peaceful life. I am a work in progress and your blog is really helping. Thanks. I am loving the journey.
Sue Oberg says
I think perhaps the words of inspiration on our walls are just that; words. They aren’t the actions of our life. We have printed on our walls; ” With God all things are possible.” But then strive to make everything happen without trusting God one step of the way. I am just as guilty as the next on that. You have definitely giving me something to think about. Thanks.
Jennifer says
Love this post. But I do have two photos of chaos that I love. One of my boys when they were younger and they’re laughing and screaming and having a blast, yet looking wild and crazed. And one of my little artist covered in paint, so serious and content. They just remind me that our mess is ok…on some level anyway.