Figuring out your military home is no small feat. If you give a military spouse a house, they’ll want a yard, a mold-free home, and to be able to fit their grandma’s dining table in the kitchen. Our living arrangements can vary from base to base; tending your house, apartment, or TLF can impact how ‘homey’ a place may feel.
We compiled our favorite ways to manage your home to make it a place you enjoy.
You are your best advocate for keeping your home running smoothly.
Each house comes with details to be aware of; maybe you’ll need a washer, or have to mow, or the house has a tendency towards mold. Mold is a growing issue in the military community, especially in places near water and/or warmer climates. Before moving in, check your vents for mold. If you notice a problem with an on-base house, call maintenance and keep a log.
What’s that smell?
Taking out the trash is essential, but so is setting the tone of your house. What do you want people to feel when they walk into your home? A sanctuary of rest, an adventure with kids, or a trendy entertainment spot? My home used to be a tornado of crazy, so I am here to tell you: whirlwind feelings are for love, not your home. Lighting incense, having a place for things, and making sure to do the dishes more than once a week helps your house smell welcoming and clean.
Decorate your space!
Base housing may feel cookie-cutter, which means deja vu when you walk into your friend’s home when her layout is yours, but flipped. To erase the white wall daze, ask ‘what you would like to fill your home with? Curtains can add a splash of color, and greenery increases a sense of joy. Have the opposite of a green thumb? Buy some fake plants instead! Just like you have a personal style, your home can have a style all it’s own. We’re milspouses – it’ll be eclectic, but picking a few base colors allows you to add to your home through the years in a collaborative way. You can collect a painting or another decor piece from each base!
Don’t be afraid to purge!
Each move we make, we have the opportunity to take stock of what we have. This is a rare gift and challenge that many civilians do not understand. Use your moving time to look at what you have – and start getting rid of some of it. Your homes may look different as you go along, but we can cultivate them by tending them to feel more like ours, even if only for a short time.