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Making Your House A Home
Side note: This is an
article that is incredibly overdue. When I first started the website in
2004, I listed article titles with a coming soon tag. It served more as
a reminder to me than anything else of what I needed to write. Now,
three years later, this one is finally be added! We’ve
all heard the saying “Home is where the Army moves us.” In many
ways, that is so true! One thing I’ve struggled with since my husband
joined the Army was making our new “homes” feel like home. Before he
joined, we owned a house. I was infamous for changing the paint color in
a room whenever my husband left the house for the afternoon. By the time
we sold the house, I believe the dining room had been painted four
times…in a little more than 2 years! But
when you go back to apartment living or renting a house (as we have), it
can be difficult to make it really feel like your own. Here’s my list
of tips for how to accomplish it. 1.
Move In I know
you’re thinking I have lost my mind. Move in? Well of course you’re
going to move in to your new house. What I mean is unpack all of your
belongings. Don’t leave things boxed up just because “well, we’ll
probably be moving again in X amount of time anyway.” Unpack the
boxes, put things away and MOVE IN! If you must keep some boxes packed,
then try to at least put them out of site in attic space, a closet or
spare room. When
we moved into our first Army apartment, it was half the size of the
house we were living in previously. The second bedroom was piled to the
ceiling with boxes. You could barely even walk in the room. Thankfully,
we’ve been able to move into a larger place. But that apartment never
felt like home – and not being able to unpack the boxes was a huge
part of that. 2.
Paint the Walls Many
people assume that just because they are renting, they are stuck with
stark white walls. But are you sure? Many rental places (including some
on post housing) will let you paint the walls as long as you paint them
white/beige again before you move. To me, to be able to have some color
on the walls is well worth that effort. But then again, I like to paint! I’ve
also never quite understood the mentality of the rental owner. Why white
or barely off white walls? First, they show the slightest little mark so
much more. Second, they’re incredibly dull. The rental would actually
look better with a little bit of color. I understand keeping a neutral
color scheme but even medium beige would be great! Be
sure to check with your landlord (or the housing office) first.
Unfortunately, we’re in a place right now that won’t allow paint! 3.
Decorate the Walls Whenever
I move to a new place, I always like to hurry up and get the pictures
hung. Once
we have art on the wall, including family pictures, it just feels like
home. And it feels finished and complete. I’ve been in many apartments
of friends who have nothing on the walls. It makes it so drab! Even if
you will be there for a short time, hang up those pictures! If
you’re short on cash but would still like to be able to add art to the
wall, check out the craft stores. Many have posters that can be framed
very inexpensively and will add a lot to your décor. 4.
Incorporate Rugs This
goes back to that neutral color palette. Not that I want colorful
carpet, but light beige wall-to-wall carpet is boring! Just by adding
area rugs or throw rugs, you can add a splash of color and create a
cozier feel in the room. But be
forewarned about adding rugs on any linoleum floor. Unknown to me,
rubber backed rugs can have a chemical reaction to the linoleum causing
it to yellow. It is supposedly permanent though I’ve heard from
several that with a LOT of elbow grease, you can get it back to the
original color. Don’t find out the hard way like I did! 5.
Hang Curtains Nothing
screams “we’re only here temporarily” more than bare windows!
Since in most rentals, there is no molding around the windows and those
lovely blinds, this is an area that can really detract from the
“homey” feeling of your new place. Curtains do not have to be
expensive. You can find great deals at some of the mass merchandisers
and the department stores. I’ve even seen people use twin bed sheets
and it’s definitely better than nothing. Since
we can’t paint where we currently are, this is how I added color in my
office. I like for my office to be a happy place but the off white
walls, beige carpet and plain windows were just not cutting it. I went
out and found very pretty, bright curtains in tropical colors. You would
not believe the difference that $20 investment has made in the room. It
is a much happier place now! 6.
Add Greenery Where
we are, we have a very small patch of yard in the front and the back of
the house. It makes an incredible difference (with permission of course)
to add a few plants. If you don’t want to (or are not allowed) to
actually plant in the ground, consider adding greenery or flowers with
potters instead. It instantly gives it a home feeling to have a planter
with fresh flowers or greenery by the front door. And while you’re at
it, add a few blooms inside too! Do you have tips to share? How have you made your house feel like a home? Let me know and I’ll add them here (with full credit, of course!).
RELATED LINKS:
The movers are here. Now what? Use these tips to make moving to your new duty station a breeze!
Resources If You're House or Apartment Hunting Looking for a new house? These resources may come in handy for you.
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