Nothing screams SFA on move-in more loudly than bland magnolia paint, oatmeal carpets, if you’re lucky, and questionable curtains.
Apart from the usual additions such as curtains that are more to your taste, pictures and rugs, what else can you do to brighten up your accommodation and make it feel more like home for however long you are going to be in it?
Before you get busy with the paintbrush and power tools permission for any DIY should be requested via an encroachment form which can be found on the Pinnacle website.
You need to be prepared to remove the work and make good when you move out or you may face charges.
BY THE BOOK
You’ll need permission if you want to repaint walls or wallpaper them, paint kitchen cabinets or fireplaces inside the house. The same goes if you’re thinking of making improvements in the garden, like installing decking, building a patio or putting up a shed.
You also need clearance if you want to install an electric vehicle charging point at the property and the work has to be done through an official Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles installer.
It may seem a hassle to request permission but DIO’s main priority is ensuring that any DIY works are conducted safely and do not contravene any UK or MOD standards and requirements.
If not properly assessed, the MOD can’t be assured the relevant health and safety legislation is adhered to.
But there is a potential advantage in the encroachment process because it enables local teams to exercise greater judgement and discretion in potentially allowing approved modifications to remain in place when you move out.
The good news is that, as Army&You reported in the summer, DIO has decided to move away from the dreaded magnolia paint when SFA is being completely refurbished.
Walls are being painted white, grey carpets and curtains are being fitted and the hospital-style flooring is being replaced in bathrooms with modern tiles. Kitchens are also being given a facelift with new units.
Fran’s bedroom
FACELIFT ON A BUDGET
Fran Gordon and her husband moved back to the UK after two years in Germany and gave their new SFA a facelift in the first two weeks.
She has an Instagram account, revamp_ renovate_repeat, devoted to showing how military housing can be made more appealing on a budget and she believes it’s important quarters feel like home, whether you’re living there for six months or two years.
“The day we arrived we immediately started staining the wooden fencing around the house, the neighbours thought we had lost the plot,” she said.
“I’m lucky to have a husband that can build anything with his hands. He covered all the exposed pipes in the bathrooms with old cupboard doors or offcuts we had around the house.
“Renovating doesn’t have to be expensive. We got some wallpaper and covered all the doors and cupboard doors. We also covered the kitchen counters with marble paper to get a marble effect.”
Her Instagram account offers all sorts of tips from making small changes that will build your confidence, like painting a wall, to choosing the right grade of sandpaper for a job.
Zoë’s bathroom
ZOE’S STORY
One of AFF’s staff members recently moved and spent time doing temporary DIY projects to inject some personality into her new home. They can be easily removed when she leaves.
She explains some of her ideas:
- Wrapping kitchen cabinets – “I bought some vinyl wrap from a local store which I cut to size. I then took off each door separately, cleaned it with soapy water and applied the wrap, pushing all the air bubbles out with an old bank card. I decided not to add heat as directed so it would be easier to remove when we are due to leave.” (See main photo)
- Temporary wall divider – “I bought some wood and cut it to size. I then placed padding (the type you would put under your furniture) on the top and bottom, so this gently slid into place, leaving no marks or holes to fill afterwards.”
- Painting and adding temporary picture rails – “I bought a few lengths of dado rail which I cut to size and tacked in place with small tacks and double-sided tape. I then painted the wall up to the picture rails and added some lightweight frames above it using Command strips to give the illusion of a proper picture rail.”
- Small additions for the bathroom – “I found some shelves which stick to tile, and I use them to store my cosmetics. I also changed the toilet seat and added some pictures to the walls using Command strips.”
Visit the in-home requests page at pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk to submit applications for minor encroachments.