How to Create a Military Interior

With the 70th Anniversary of VE day celebrated only a few weeks ago and D Day fast approaching on the 6th June, what better time to celebrate our wonderful armed forces (past and present) with some stylish and sophisticated Military interiors. From service memorabilia and up-cycled uniforms to military colour schemes and emblems, you can create a home that is refined and personal to your own journey or family and national history.

Army

With more and more men and women joining the British Army and Territorial Army every day it is understandable that designers have become attached to the colours and accessories associated with this branch of the British Armed Forces. Probably the most recognisable element of this military force is its khaki coloured uniform and its popularity in interior design. Khaki colours look fabulous alongside other earthen colour schemes such as taupe, chocolate brown and cream and can be used to create an industrial look that works extremely well in both vintage and contemporary homes. Khaki coloured fabrics look amazing on simple sofa and armchairs with simple button detailing for a nod to military uniforms themselves.

Military furniture items are perfect at embodying a vintage or retro inspired ambiance in your home and their simplistic metal exteriors will create a modern twist in minimal loft spaces or home offices and studies. Old army lockers look great in a bedroom or office interior and can be used to create a pop of colour in a plain interior space. Their functional storage spaces are ideal for use as a unique wardrobe alternative or for the housing of paperwork, files or books for a twist on the traditional bookcase. Eames style or foldable metal framed chairs can also be used to create a traditional army ambiance within the home. Select khaki coloured items with simple ‘number’ stamps or go for classic camouflage print for a mess style dining room where you can feed yourself and all your hungry soldiers.

RAF

Creating a high flying interior style has never been easier with a selection of Royal Air Force inspired home accessories that will create a traditional yet unique feel within your home. If you are a currently serving air man or woman or a veteran of the RAF then NEVER throw out your old uniforms! Hold on to your jackets, trousers and shirts and give them a new lease of life by transforming them into upholstery for a sofa, occasional armchair or dining chair. This fun and detailed look will look fabulous in both modern and classic interior settings and will create a talking point within your home. For a truly innovative design take several matching chairs and upholster each chair in a different Air Force uniform from across the decades to create a piece of history that is visually interesting and stylish.

Bombs away! Old military memorabilia is always turning up in antique sales, charity shops and car boot sales and can be picked up at extremely reasonable prices considering their history and significance. While items such as old grenades, medals and shells can look interesting displayed on a shelf or dresser; why not make them into a striking piece of artwork that will take centre stage within the home. I absolutely love this table lamp that has been crafted from the tail of an air force bomb as it gives a stylish and illuminating finish to your home interior with a subtle nod to military life. This look can also be achieved with an old helmet or a military aircraft figure that can be transformed into a unique and sculptural lamp base.

NAVY

Your first port of call when selecting items for your Navy inspired interior should be collecting all things nautical and sea faring. Military interiors can often look sparse and minimal so it is important to add soft furnishing s and cushions that will soften the cool navy and white colour schemes of a Royal Navy inspired home. Select cushions that feature classic nautical imagery such as anchors and ships wheels and pair them with simple striped patterns or regimental badges and insignias.  Classic colour schemes of red white and blue work extremely well in maritime home interiors alongside miniature ship models and historic or contemporary naval artwork depicting fleets of ships or aircraft carriers.

For a unique and detailed finish on your walls then select a naval inspired wallpaper that will create a visual detail within your home. Classic 16th century naval designs will look wonderful in traditional home interiors while bold and modern prints such as this unique ‘ship blueprint’ design will create a focal point on any feature wall or alcove area. Alternatively you can use old world or new world maps that depict the sailing routes of the naval fleets as murals that look particularly stylish in bedroom offices or library interiors. If you are currently a serving member of the Royal Navy then why not use these maps to pin the destinations and routes that you have sailed to create a visual memory of your career that can be passed down to the next generation of your family.

For more ideas on creating a military inspired interior; take a look at our latest Pinterest board - Military Interiors