JAN'S GROUP HOME SUPPORT

Making group homes look like homes is important. It shouldn’t look like an office that people live in. Decorating the wall will aide in the group home look like a home. Include the residents in as much of the process as possible.  Here are some helpful ideas for decorating the walls of a group home.

Choose the following: 

• Theme (outdoors, wildlife, floral, etc)
• Color (main and 1-2 accent colors)
  

When choosing a theme and color, get the following information from the residents in the house:

• Interests
• Likes and dislikes
• Hobbies
  

Decide size of pictures. Cut out pieces of newspaper and hold up to wall to see if size works. When putting up more that one picture on a wall, use tape safe for aint and arrange sizes.

Prioritize walls to decorate. To do this, stand in doorway of the room. For rooms with more than one door way, stand in the doorway that is closest to the front entrance of house. This doorway will be used the most. 

1. Walls above large furniture (couches, kitchen table, etc)
2. Walls that you face
3. Walls to the left and right
4. Walls to your back (any work related items go well here. Examples: bulletin boards, house calendars, write on boards)
   

Before going to pick out wall décor, know the following about the residents in the house:

• Property destroyers (choose non-breakable/hard to break wall décor)
• Self-Abusive (choose non-breakable/hard to break wall décor that are light weight with no sharp edges that residents may use to hurt themselves).
• Aggressive (choose non-breakable/hard to break wall décor that are light weight with no sharp edges that residents may use to hurt housemates and staff)
• Throws food, drink, feces, or urine (choose non-breakable, easy to clean/sanitize wall décor)
  

Find out what type of wall hanging hardware are allowed to be used on the walls. If heavy items like a mirror are being purchased, make arrangements with maintenance if needed to avoid damage to wall and the heavy item falling, breaking, and possibly injuring residents or staff. 

Research costs and options for wall décor and submit request for checks needed.