Making a House a Home

I love making a house a home. As a matter of fact, making things pretty is not just an artistic expression for me, it’s therapeutic. I remember being frustrated when my husband and I lived in military housing because of the limitations by which we had to abide. Everyone’s space was so generic, and most of us had to use a one size fits all solution when it came down to design.

But, I’m sure this isn’t just an annoyance for those who live on military installations. I’m pretty sure renters have the same stipulations in their lease when it comes to their freedom to decorate.

My frustration however caused me to get a little creative in the beautification of our temporary home. So, in order to help those who are renting or living in military housing, here are some clever ways to avoid the “cookie cutter” syndrome that plagues the renter.

Let’s start with the kitchen, yep the kitchen. By simply swapping out your cabinet knobs and running rope lighting under your upper kitchen cabinets, you can change the ambiance of your home. Just be sure to keep up with the original knobs when you get ready to PCS (or for our civilian friends move).

Next is the area we all tend to spend a lot of time in, the living room. Now, I know the scariest part of customizing a house is paint. But, if your lease forbids it upholstery is a great alternative for getting some color into a room. Just upholster a large piece of thin plywood and the possibilities are endless. (There are several Youtube videos that can instruct you on this technique). After you’re finished, mount it to the wall and just like that, you’ve got color!  It’s light weight, it doesn’t require a lot of nails, and when it’s time to move on you simply fill the nail holes.

Last, but not least, is the bedroom. Everyone knows that the bed is the focal point of the room. So, how about sliding that old headboard underneath the bed, and exchanging it for a beautiful upholstered one. This project is a lot like the one above, and it’s really not that hard to do. This is a wonderful option because you’re combining color, function, and architectural interest.

Renting or living in military quarters doesn’t have to be a design death sentence. It’s just a matter of finding out how you can adapt a high end design to function in a cookie cutter space.

Good luck turning your house into a home no matter where you may go.

Sincerely,