A woman whose husband became a missionary in India during World War II described the special classes they attended to train for living simply. Her teacher told the class that no matter how primitive their new homes would be, and they would be plain, to remember that no room could be more beautiful than one that was flooded with light, and filled with good books and flowers.
I just heard a realtor say you could raise the value of your home considerably by just scrubbing it clean: sparkling windows, dust-free surfaces and banish the clutter. Equity for just a little sweat.