White Walls Inspiration for Military DIYersExpert ContributorThursday, March 22, 2018 - 13:49Thursday, March 22, 2018 - 13:56White Walls Inspiration for Military DIYersOur military members and spouses not only put our country before their own families, but also face the daunting task of moving from station to station across the United States and the Globe. This often means that military members choose to live in base housing that limits their personal design or purchasing home that they must put minimal personal touches into for resale value. Although "White Walls" Housing can be limiting, it also opens new options for the savvy DIYer to stretch their design ideas and create a piece of home wherever they may be. Home may be where the military sends them, but here are some great design ideas to truly make White Walls feel like home!Knotty Pine K Door Barn Door Scene5_300px.jpgContact Paper DesignsNothing screams base housing like bland, outdated cabinetry. It can be difficult to bring color into standardized kitchens by only using kitchen towels and rugs. Luckily in recent years there have been new options! Contact paper is like wallpaper, but does not stick as permanently. There are hundreds of designs to choose from including subway tile, rock and other bright designs that can temporarily bring life to your kitchen without damage from peeling when PCS season comes. This is perfect to bring a backsplash to life in a dull kitchen.Barn DoorsBase housing allows for temporary drilling holes that can be patched by plaster/drywall repairs. An easy and fun way to bring life to your hallways is by using a barn door on a featured door in the home. Simply remove the existing door that comes with base housing and store the door. Purchase a barn door and barn door kit at your local Surplus Warehouse store and install the rolling caster kit and door. This will bring fun to your home and be a simple removal process upon leaving.WallPlank_300px.jpgWood Feature WallsSticking with theme of temporary changes, a wood feature wall is a great way to bring pop to a room without permanent installation. Simply sand and paint wood planks/pallets before installation, install three guide planks vertically on the wall on the studs (1x4s are a great option for this), and use a nail gun with thin/short wood nails to tack along the vertical planks. Or, for a quick and easy option, use Peel and Stick Wood Wall Panels. This creates a centerpiece for your room and is simple to remove upon departure by prying the vertical planks from the wall. Simply plaster/drywall the vertical plank holes and you are on the way to your next post!CabinetDoors_300px.jpgRemove Kitchen Cabinet DoorsKitchens are probably the hardest for spouses to make their own, but contact paper prevails again! Bring life to your kitchen cabinets by removing the cabinet face and storing. Choose contact paper of your choice to match the contact paper backsplash. Store your favorite wine glasses or fine china in these open-faced cabinets for aesthetics and safe keeping!Plants This may seem like a silly item to feature, but integrating live plants into your home design can help brighten any room. Not only does it help decontaminate the air, but can be used with other design pieces to brighten an area. Succulents are excellent indoor plants because they need minimal watering and grow in nearly any environment. Plant succulents in mason jars to hang on the wall and use to accentuate a centerpiece. Various types of small palms also are a great choice when growing indoors.These are just a few ways you can integrate fun design options into a temporary home. Keep checking back as EC Barton will continue to feature great DIY tips and plans for our military men and women in the future. EC Barton fully supports our men and women in uniform as well as their spouses and families. The team incorporates many veterans, reservists, and spouses. EC Barton hopes to not only support, hire and grow our military team in the near future!Lynn Black is a graduate of Christopher Newport University with over a decade of experience in marketing strategies and content writing. She is a military spouse to a member of the United States Coast Guard. Lynn has experience completing DIY projects and will be tackling an upcoming home renovation using Surplus Warehouse products.
