As we all know, a house is just a house, but when it’s filled with the things and people we love, it becomes a home. We all have that little box, the box filled with mementos from years passed. In that box, you may have a diploma, a picture, a purple heart from that of yourself or a loved one, uniform pins or medals or maybe just a letter from someone you love while he or she was deployed. Why not bring those things out and show them with pride? Decorating your home is not just about buying new paint or curtains; it’s about bringing together the very things that you love and things that represent what you love.

Military home décor gives us many options when it comes to giving any room just the right touch. Every room needs a focal point. A good focal point is something that will start up conversation. For example, in a living room with a fireplace, the fireplace itself is the focal point. However, if you put a painting above the fireplace, ones eyes are drawn to the art. A picture of Iwo Jima, or of a Navy ship would be a great addition to any living room.

It’s not just the focal point that will bring up conversation. Anything from military coasters, to a service branch specific blanket draped over the couch or chair, your guests will know that you have pride in your military family. If it is a themed room, you can go all out and have lamps, rugs, curtains, pillows, pool sticks, paintings, or books among many other items to make your room complete.

If you come from a military family, having a ‘sentimental’ or ‘Generation’ room is a great idea too! Remember that box that I was talking about earlier? Well, dig it out and start displaying! If it is a letter, put it in a frame, if it’s a purple heart; put it in a glass case, etc. If you want to display ribbons, pins and medals, use a shadow box. To give it a little more meaning, have the military members whose stuff you’re displaying come over and help. This way you can show them just how proud you are, and for those that may not be around anymore, it’s a tribute to them, make one of the walls a memorial wall.

While decorating your ‘sentimental’ or ‘generation’ room, if you have a child or children, have them help out, and while hanging things up, teach them about your family’s history. For example: if a purple heart comes out of the box, tell your child what it is, what it means, and who it belonged to. This will not only give your child/children a sense of helping, it is giving your child/children the value of family and how important it is to have that bond. Not everything in this room has to be memorabilia though. You can get things from a company like Duffle Bag Depot that has everything you could want or need when it comes to decorating any room of the house.

Sometimes, when we have a specific idea in mind for the décor of a room, we may not find all of the pieces right away. Don’t worry about that because when your room is finished, it will bring a smile and maybe a tear or two to you and your loved ones. Our atmosphere can affect our mood. By having a room dedicated to family members or friends, past or present, you will have a sense of pride, and your house will become a warm and inviting home.