There’s something — well, probably a lot of things — about the fall season that makes everyone giddy for cozy comfort at home, including those of us living in military housing. Although there are many perks to living on base, one of the common drawbacks military families talk about is the restriction on personalizing and decorating the property.
One of the ways to work within the housing guidelines is to install seasonal decorations. It’s the perfect way to customize your temporary home.
Starting in early September — or, if you’re like me, the last week of August — autumn mania takes over. I begin by incorporating bits of fall decor into my everyday style. Here are my suggestions for honoring your love for crispy leaves and dropping temperatures while living in military housing.
- Add your fall decorations layer by layer throughout September and October. You can stretch out the best season by installing your favorite decorations slowly for the biggest impact. In early September, focus on displaying fall trimmings such as leafy stairway swags that don’t include Halloween themes — save those for the first week of October. As soon as the last trick-or-treater is gone, it’s time to add in your festive Thanksgiving embellishments. Each month, your home will look just a little different.
- Use all your senses to add a fall vibe to your home. Interior design and decorating techniques are most effective when you include multiple senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch), so mix up how you incorporate fall adornments. Fall displays draped on your home’s focal points are a good starting point, but don’t forget to add your favorite autumn scents like apple and cinnamon from candles or outlet fragrance dispensers. Or, add chunky textured blankets to a comfortable reading nook. If you have self-control (I don’t!), a fun candy dish is the perfect way to indulge your sense of taste.
- Incorporate natural elements and upcycled finds. Take stock in items that you already own that double as fall-inspired decor. Baskets of any kind, such as harvest or antique tobacco baskets, quickly inject homey vibes. Use these to create centerpieces that include natural elements you can find during your neighborhood walks, like colored leaves, acorns, tall grass and other interesting finds. These projects are easy to recreate after each PCS, so there’s plenty of longevity. Don’t forget to check out your base’s thrift store or one of the many free or traditional yard sales that pop up on base in the summer and fall.
- Show off your beloved collections. Do you have a fall-themed collection that’s perfect for showing off? Any portable shelving system that you already own is the perfect place to highlight your prized possessions. Temporarily clear the existing pieces and add themed items like fall landscape photography, ceramic pumpkins, pottery or vintage fall-themed books to showcase the items you love the most.
- Decorate your favorite space. When we lived on Fort Meade, my favorite place was the long front porch. It was perfect for connecting with neighbors and watching the kids play. But, during the holidays, especially in the fall months, I loved to go all out. I hung wreaths, installed cornstalks, stacked hay bales and added fresh pumpkins and gourds as the weeks passed. They were perfect accompaniments to my black wooden rocking chairs and a primitive bucket bench that held firewood. The atmosphere was inviting, and the autumn atmosphere was perfect.
Military housing doesn’t have to be drab. It’s your home after all, so don’t let the big beige walls intimidate you; use easy resources like Pinterest to inspire you. Plenty of military spouses showcase their fall-inspired decor, so find ideas you like and turn your home into a festive retreat perfect for September, October and November.
Blog Brigade unites military spouses by creating a community built on shared experiences and mutual support. Navigating the complexities of military life can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Military OneSource offers valuable resources focused on well-being, readiness, and connection. Explore a range of moving resources and tools tailored to your needs.
