Finally! The moving boxes have been delivered and are mostly unpacked. The kitchen, bathrooms, and beds are all operational. Your family might be functional immediately after buying a home, but relocation exhaustion is a thing, so it will take a few weeks, likely a few months, to make your newest house feel like home. So, it’s only natural that thinking about decorating falls way down your "things to do" list, especially if your dream budget is far from your budget reality.
Don’t let the overwhelm set in. We all know that the sooner your house feels comfy and “like you,” the faster you'll love your new space, whether you're buying a home, renting, or living in military housing. These PCS-tested, tried-and-true hacks motivate you to take charge of the home decorating and (be warned) willl probably inspire future projects.
Now it’s time for the fun stuff!
Photo by StefanDahl via Canva.com
1. Research the house you’ll take over before arriving at your new home.
Base-specific Facebook pages, such as Military Housing Style and White Walls, are filled with comments and descriptions of base housing. If you don’t see the information you need, just ask! Someone out there will be glad to fill you in on the color of your pending wood or laminate floors or the orientation of a dining room.
The same is true for off-base neighborhoods that were built at the same time. Often, neighborhoods have only a few different layouts, so hopefully, a neighbor can fill you in. You can also search real estate listings in your neighborhood for inspiration and view how others dress up their place.
2. Create go-to cheat sheets filled with measurements and suggestions for items you need to purchase.
You’ll want to add things like each room’s dimensions and removable adhesive hooks and hangers. Don’t forget to measure the windows, the amount of room you need for a sofa, and space for rugs, in addition to any other easily overlooked details like paint gallon quantities and counter stool height.
3. Take pictures of the rooms in your home.
This will help jog your memory for details you may have forgotten while you're out shopping. Photos are especially helpful while hunting for curtains because it’s easy to forget how the existing molding or trim frames the windows. Pictures of an awkward corner or nook will also help you decide if a potted plant or artwork will fit into the space.
4. Take photos or write descriptions of your existing curtains to remind you how to hang them.
Depending on the window style, you may need to buy pressure or pocket rods, clips, or hooks to install your carefully curated vintage curtain collection. It also helps to have the pictures on hand to color-match other items in the room.
5. The beauty of a slip-covered couch (in addition to washing machine cleaning) is the option to switch covers with the season or paint shades in a new room.
Familiarize yourself with the name of your slip-covered furniture and its measurements to scour garage and online sales for your style in various fabrics and patterns for an easy swap whenever the whim strikes.
6. Family photos are a good chunk of what makes a home personal.
But all the measuring, hammering, and hole-making intimidate renters and homeowners. No one wants to lose a deposit or spend hours filling holes in the drywall. Many online tutorials teach how to hang a picture easily without a mess. Search sites like Family Handyman for creative instructions and tips on how to avoid measuring mistakes.
Photo by Alena Ozerova via Canva.com
7. Fresh paint gives a new home the fastest update for the most bang for your buck.
As time-consuming as a new paint job is, it’s best to tackle the paint project as soon as possible, hopefully before the furniture arrives, for longevity’s sake. You’re probably only living there for two to three years, right? One way to cut the time is to trust the color experts and shop for paint like you would for clothes. Some people look at a mannequin and poof! There’s a complete outfit, ready to buy, and no decisions to make. You like it; you buy it.
Color specialists at big-box and hardware stores do the same thing; they assemble color stories that work together. Ceiling, wall, and trim colors are organized into fun, easy-to-browse categories. There is one caveat to one-stop paint shopping. Before committing to a palette, bring home the paint chips or strips to see how they look in the house's light throughout the day.
8. A fun way to use those extra paint samples, or if you come across an amazing color in a home store's "oops" section, is to use it somewhere unexpected.
Colorful paint inside cabinet doors, closet shelving, and small pieces of furniture all add a touch of charm with an eye-catching color that would otherwise be overwhelming when used on four walls.
9. Sometimes, the best wall color option is a neutral.
Neutrals make an excellent background for any collection you may enjoy. Fabric, baskets, and pottery are all attractive focal points that add much-needed texture to a room. If you decide base housing is your best bet, there’s a good chance your family will inherit a neutral palette, so go with it!
10. The cheapest way to give a room a new look is to repurpose existing furniture.
Each house has its own quirks, angles, and natural spaces to place furniture. Re-imagining items in non-traditional situations might be the ideal solution. For example, an armoire that worked well in the bedroom of your previous home could look amazing in your foyer, or a tall, wide dresser may work perfectly as a TV stand in a family room.
Whether you're renting, buying, or living on base, these hacks can save you money and time. Tailor each tip for your next move-in and watch how quickly you’ll feel at home. MilitaryByOwner has a collection of home decorating ideas that offer practical advice to spark new ideas and creative projects for any home.
