The constant change in scenery is part of the thrill of a travel job, but sometimes always being away from home can get a little frustrating. While we hope that you’ll make plenty of friends while on the road, it’s still important that you make your temporary housing as homey and welcoming as possible. You’ll be spending plenty of time at this new place, so it’s important to make the best of it. It’s important for your well-being that you feel comfortable and at ease with your new living situation. Think about it, this new living space is going to be your home for weeks or even months! Make sure you’re bringing a little piece of home on the road with you to ensure that you’re feeling comfortable when digging into a new assignment. Follow these simple, easy, and inexpensive tips to help guide you through decorating temporary housing and making it feel more like a home.
5 Tips For Decorating Temporary Housing
Spark A Candle
According to Psychology Today, our smell is the first sense that we use after birth and it is capable of triggering even the most distant memories. Whether that smell takes you to a place or reminds you of a person, we’ve all had that experience. So, grab yourself a few scented candles or incense and light up. Sweet scents such as vanilla are popular with both men and women, although floral scents are often considered the most calming. Putting some good smells in the air are perfect for decorating temporary housing! If it smells like home, it’ll feel like home!
Photographs
If you’re anything like me, home isn’t home without pictures of friends, family, and beloved pets all over the place. Whether you stick some to your refrigerator or grab a couple cheap frames from the local Wal-Mart, adding photographs to your rooms are a great reminder of your loved ones at home. One of the best ways you can bring a little piece of home on the road with you is to bring pictures of those you love along for the ride. It can never replace human interaction or even a video chat. However, you’ll at least be reminded of those who love you every time you see their picture.
Get Artsy and Thrifty
Not many things are more depressing than dull, generic walls. Grab some inexpensive artwork from discount stores like TJ Maxx or Marshall’s to spruce up your walls a bit. Wall decals are an awesome (and cheap) way to decorate as well. The best part is that they easily peel off when you’re done with them. Patterned tapestries are another fun way to cover-up an entire wall and can be found on many online sites, such as my favorite, Society6.
Another great tip for decorating temporary housing while not breaking the bank is to check out thrift shops. Thrift shops will often offer furniture, lighting, and other decorative pieces for a fraction of the cost. Bring some of your own styles into your temporary housing without having to cough up a ton of cash!
Mess Around with Color
Add color everywhere you can! Whether these colors are homelike themes or you want to go with a bright palette you’ve never tried before, color is a lively way of helping you forget that this home is temporary. Try buying a vibrant throw blanket to dress-up the couch or substituting the comforter with a crazy quilt. Making your home away from home colorful will help it feel much less boring and bland.
Flower Power
Flowers are an attractive and fun addition to your temporary home furnishings. Grab low-cost flowers from the grocery store once a week. You could even pick up artificial flowers from the neighborhood craft store and make a centerpiece for your dinner table. And for the guys that deny they like flowers (even though we know you do), go green! Any decorative plant is a beneficial addition to your momentary home. It’s also great if you’re not allowed to have plants in your temporary housing. Although it can’t replace the companionship of a furry friend, it will at least give you something to look after while you’re on your assignment.
We’ve got thousands of assignments and plenty of places for you to travel. Whether it’s the sunny beaches of California or the hustle and bustle of The Big Apple, start your next adventure with us! If you have other tips for decorating temporary housing, feel free to leave a comment below!
