Do you have a special place in your home just for you to relax after a hard day’s work? Do you have at least one corner that is just for you and what you think is beautiful or comfortable? You deserve to have a nice place to relax in your home. For some people, their special place is their bed, or a reading chair in the living room, or a corner of the couch, or the dining room table. Have you ever thought about creating such a place, or about making your usual landing spot even nicer?

A sacred space should include a place to sit or lie down comfortably, a table (even a folding TV dinner table will do), and good light.

You can set up a sacred space with things you already have around. Don’t be afraid to move stuff around to suit yourself. Try to use what you already have before going to the store to buy new stuff.

Some people already have a place in their home that they gravitate to whenever they have a free moment. If this is true of you, then you should take an hour or so this week to make that special place even nicer. If it’s your bed, then clear off your night stand and think carefully about what you put back. Let only beautiful things stay in your sacred space.

Do you have a special collection that you don’t see very often because it’s not where you like to spend your free time? Well, move it! Move your special collection to your sacred place. Have some fun arranging it.

If you like candles, gather candles from other areas of your house and collect them in your sacred space. If you have a mirror tray, that would be a beautiful place to put them.

Hang a favorite picture or favorite picture collection on the wall of your sacred space. Get some pretty new pillows or recover old pillows to make your space cozy. Crochet a lap blanket or sew the edges of a blanket-sized piece of fleece. (Of course, you can always buy a blanket someone else has made.) Pick a color that makes you happy. If it’s too garish for company, then you can just tuck it away when company is coming.

Put a plant in your sacred space. Asparagus fern and spider plants do well in low light. An african violet will even bloom under artificial light if you leave the light on long enough. If your sacred space is near a window, even better. You can have a ficus (fig tree) or rubber plant in your sacred space.

Keep a basket on hand with things you can do while you’re relaxing. You can include a book, manicure supplies, letter-writing supplies, even some candy (if you don’t have pets or small children who’ll get into it.

Keep another basket on hand, maybe on the floor, with small crafts you like to do and would do if you had more time. You can throw in some quilt squares to piece, a counted cross-stich project, yarn and a crochet hook, or beads and thread… the possibilities are endless. Guys, don’t think I’m not talking to you. Crocheting can be very relaxing. Even professional football players and tough bikers have been known to crochet. To help with decluttering, do your projects with a recipient in mind and give it to that recipient when it’s done. How many finished products do you really need to have around? You can even make projects to give to nursing homes, hospices, neonatal intensive care… there are a lot of organizations that look for handmade crafts to give to people who need the boost.

When a new magazine comes in from a subscription, slip it into your basket so you have it on hand when you have time for it. (Be sure to clean out old magazines at least once a month.)

If you get baskets with lids, they can stay there and look pretty even when company is coming. A picnic basket might be a nice option. Try not to stack more than two baskets because that’s an invitation for clutter and frustration.

Make sure your sacred space has plenty of light. If yours is a reading chair and ottoman, position a floor lamp behind you so it lights up your projects. Get the nicest lamp you can afford. I want one with a crystal beaded shade. (Right now, I don’t even have my reading chair and ottoman, but I’ll get it eventually.)

Once you have arranged your sacred space, be diligent about keeping it neat and clean. Keep it comfortable. Tidy your project baskets at least once a day. Keep your plant healthy. Keep your sacred space inviting. If you allow clutter and dirt to build up, you won’t feel refreshed after spending time there.

Enjoy!