The Home as a Domestic Church: Remodeling with Faith in Mind

While attending Catholic boarding high school, our Headmaster shared an insight that has stayed with me. He explained why he invested so much time and money into the campus grounds, the beautiful brick buildings and meticulously maintained landscaping. "Since this is your home," he said, "I want your memory of it to always involve beauty, so that its beauty will remind you of your true home, heaven." He believed that the joy we feel recalling beautiful places isn’t just nostalgia, it’s a yearning for our most beautiful destination. That insight has stuck with me. Now, my goal is to help others create homes marked by beauty and order, spaces that point us toward heaven.

The Catholic tradition refers to the home as a “domestic church,” where God dwells and sanctifies us. Just as the builders of medieval churches invested care into creating beauty that would elevate the soul, we’re called to bring that same reverence into our homes. As Theology of Home authors Carrie Gress and Noelle Mering point out, our homes are uniquely powerful: “We might not be able to get all our friends and acquaintances to step through the doors of a Catholic church, but we can get them into our kitchens” (p. 4). Beauty in the home isn’t about luxury, it’s about creating a space that reflects something eternal. With that in mind, here are some practical ways to renovate with this deeper purpose in mind.

Prioritize Sacred Space
In many Catholic homes, I’ve seen small prayer altars thoughtfully placed in living or family rooms. A simple altar can reorient a space toward prayer. But if you’re planning a renovation, consider creating a dedicated nook with built-in cabinetry, a religious painting or mural (I know a guy!), and floating shelves on either side.

Use Beauty to Elevate
When choosing finishes, prioritize timeless materials that will age well and speak of permanence. Natural elements like wood and stone bring a sense of groundedness. Layer lighting to combine accent lights, task lighting, and ambient warmth to highlight architectural details, artwork, or reading spaces. Incorporate religious symbols or sacred art throughout your home. Choose colors that evoke contemplation, such as soft neutrals, earth tones, deep blues, and dusty lavenders, complemented by warm woods and natural textures like linen, wool, stone, and clay.

Design for Communion
When renovating, design spaces for conversation, hospitality, and rest. Open layouts encourage connection, while segmented spaces may isolate. Good storage is essential, order in the home cultivates peace in the soul. As trends shift from minimalism to maximalism, resist extremes and instead aim for balance.

In the end, the way we design and live in our homes impacts our spiritual lives. A well-ordered, beautiful home does more than provide shelter, it draws us closer to God. Whether it’s a prayer nook, timeless finishes, or spaces that encourage communion, every choice we make can reflect the eternal home we’re all journeying toward.