The military housing glow-up: Five little details that are making a big difference

It's not just about making a house... it is about making a home. 

That's my takeaway from this morning's visit to military housing currently being upgraded as part of the government's new £9bn strategy to fix Armed Forces accommodation.

But, what does that actually mean?

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Well, it’s not just about money (although there's plenty of that involved) – it's about thoughtfulness. 

These houses aren't simply places for personnel to rest their heads; they're where they, and often their families, really live.

From what we saw this morning, here are five things that could make a REAL difference to those living there:

1. Hardwood floors

Brown carpet – bye bye! 

It might not sound like much, but walking through the front door onto sleek, modern flooring instantly lifts the whole space.

2. White walls.

If you've ever lived in military accommodation, "magnolia" might be a colour that haunts your dreams. 

Well, good news – it's gone! 

Alongside hardwood floors, crisp white walls are now the standard, giving families a clean slate to add their own touches.

From adding colourful rugs to feature walls, families can really make the house their own. 

Because isn't that what everyone wants when moving into a new home – to make it feel like it's theirs?

3. Storage.

This one's sneaky – we're all guilty of overlooking storage when moving somewhere new, but these homes have clearly made it a priority.

From generous kitchen cupboards and utility spaces to built-in wardrobes, DIO says they're tailoring layouts to each property rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

4. Demisting mirrors and USB plug sockets.

These little details show real thought. 

Good lighting and a fog-free mirror are morning essentials – even if they sometimes reveal more about those under-eye bags than we'd like. 

And with modern USB and USB-C sockets, you can plug straight into the wall (looking at you, phone companies who no longer supply plugs with your new phone).

5. Pets and businesses.

Yes, you can now officially have pets at home – no more waiting for permission.

 And if you fancy running a business from your living room, you can do that too. 

Time to dust off that Etsy idea!

On a serious note, the state of military housing has been a long-standing issue – and it's widely accepted among serving personnel that standards have too often fallen short.

As the Defence Secretary, who toured the upgraded properties, put it: "When we pause and think about the special things we ask our service families to do, the very last thing they should worry about is whether their loved ones are okay back home in damp, leaky, mouldy houses."

It's a huge project – and with £9bn being invested, the scale is undeniable. 

But from what's already been improved, it seems this isn't just about building houses...

It's about building homes – the kind our service families truly deserve.