How Military Families Can Make a House a Home When They’re Constantly on the Move
Military life is defined by constant change. With permanent change of station (PCS) orders coming every few years, military families find themselves continuously packing up their lives and starting fresh in new locations. According to the Department of Defense, the average military family moves every 2-3 years, nearly three times more often than civilian families. This nomadic lifestyle creates unique challenges when trying to establish a sense of home and belonging.
At Corporate Rentals, we’ve worked with countless military families across the Washington DC area who face this exact dilemma. We understand that creating a comfortable, personalized living space isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about establishing stability and continuity in an otherwise unpredictable way of life.
The Emotional Impact of Frequent Relocations
Recent studies from the Military Family Advisory Network show that 79% of military families report that frequent moves significantly impact their sense of belonging and community connection. Children in military families attend an average of six to nine different schools throughout their academic careers, adding another layer of adjustment with each move.
Creating a consistent home environment amid this transience becomes not just a matter of comfort, but of emotional well-being. A 2023 Blue Star Families survey found that 68% of military spouses identified housing issues as their top concern during relocations, above employment and childcare challenges.
Practical Strategies for Creating Home Anywhere
Prioritize Your Family’s Core Needs
Before any move, we recommend military families create a prioritized list of what makes a house feel like home for them specifically. For some families, it might be:
- A dedicated space for family meals
- Comfortable furniture that encourages togetherness
- Private spaces where each family member can retreat
- Areas for displaying meaningful keepsakes and photos
Understanding these non-negotiables helps focus your energy on what truly matters when settling into a new space.
Invest in Portable Comfort Items
Certain belongings can provide continuity from one home to the next. According to military family psychologists, these “comfort anchors” play a crucial role in easing transitions, especially for children. Consider:
- Family photo collections that can be quickly displayed
- Special bedding that remains consistent across moves
- Familiar kitchen items that make meal preparation feel normal
- Cherished decorative pieces that instantly add familiarity
A 2023 survey of military children found that 82% identified having personal items from their previous home as the most important factor in adjusting to a new location.
Embrace Furniture Rentals for Flexibility and Quality
One of the most practical solutions we’ve seen military families adopt is furniture rental. Rather than moving heavy furniture across the country repeatedly or purchasing budget items expected to last only a few years, furniture rentals offer several distinct advantages:
First, rental furniture eliminates the stress and cost of moving bulky items. The average cost of shipping household goods during a military move ranges from $4,000 to $10,000, according to Moving.com’s 2023 data. By renting furniture at your destination, you can significantly reduce these expenses.
Second, rental furniture allows for adaptation to different living spaces. A 2024 housing market analysis showed that military families face dramatically different housing options depending on their station location—from historic homes in the Northeast to modern apartments near urban bases like those in the Washington DC area.
Finally, furniture rentals provide quality and style that might otherwise be out of reach. Our military customers consistently tell us they appreciate accessing high-quality furniture that would be impractical to purchase outright for a temporary assignment.
Creating Personalized Spaces Quickly
When you have limited time to settle in before returning to duty, establishing your home efficiently becomes crucial. Here are strategies we’ve found effective:
Focus on Key Gathering Spaces First
The living room and dining areas typically serve as the heart of the home. Prioritizing these spaces creates an immediate sense of normalcy. A comfortable sofa, a dining table that accommodates the whole family, and appropriate lighting can transform an empty house into a livable space within hours.
In Washington DC, where many military families are stationed temporarily for Pentagon or other government assignments, we’ve seen families completely transform their living spaces in a matter of days using our furniture rental services.
Leverage Wall Decor for Instant Personality
Command strips and removable hooks have revolutionized decorating for military families. These temporary hanging solutions allow for personalization without damaging walls, a particular concern in government or rental housing.
Consider creating a gallery wall of family photos or meaningful art pieces that travel with you from home to home. According to interior design professionals, these visual elements do more to personalize a space than almost any other decorating technique.
Incorporate Local Elements
Each new assignment offers an opportunity to incorporate elements from your latest location. This practice not only helps you embrace your current surroundings but also builds a rich tapestry of your family’s journey.
A study from the Military Child Education Coalition found that families who intentionally seek connections to their new communities report 40% higher satisfaction with their relocations. Simple strategies include:
- Displaying local artwork or crafts
- Incorporating regional textiles or decor items
- Creating a special display area for souvenirs from each posting
Children’s Spaces: Stability Amid Change
Children often feel the impacts of military moves most acutely. Creating consistent, comforting spaces for them deserves special attention.
Maintain Bedroom Continuity
When possible, maintain similar bedroom layouts across moves. This might mean:
- Using the same bedding and comfort items
- Positioning the bed similarly in each new room
- Establishing familiar storage systems for toys and belongings
A 2023 study in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that maintaining sleep environment consistency significantly reduced adjustment issues among military children after relocations.
Create Dedicated Study Areas
With each move potentially disrupting academic progress, establishing a dedicated homework space sends an important message about educational continuity. This becomes especially important in the Washington DC area, where educational standards and resources vary significantly between districts.
Welcome Input on Decorating Decisions
Allowing children to have age-appropriate input on their spaces increases their sense of belonging and control. Even simple choices—like selecting a new poster or choosing a paint color—can help children feel invested in their new home.
Leveraging Technology to Maintain Connections
Today’s military families have advantages that previous generations didn’t when it comes to maintaining connections across moves. Digital photo frames can display images from throughout a family’s journey. Video calls keep the extended family present in daily life despite geographic distance. Online communities connect families with similar experiences.
A 2024 report from the National Military Family Association found that 83% of military families cite technology as critical to maintaining family cohesion during frequent relocations.
Our Military Furniture Rental Solutions in Washington DC
At Corporate Rentals, we’ve designed our military furniture rental packages specifically to address the unique needs of service members and their families. Our Washington DC location offers:
- Flexible lease terms that align with military orders
- High-quality, stylish options that create immediate comfort
- Quick delivery and setup services to minimize transition time
- Military discounts and special packages
- Simple return processes when orders change
Many military families appreciate our comprehensive packages that include not just furniture, but also housewares, eliminating the need to purchase or transport kitchen items, linens, and other essentials.
Planning for Your Next PCS Move
The average military family will complete between 8-12 PCS moves during a service career. Each move presents an opportunity to refine your approach to creating a home. We recommend:
- Document what works through photos of room arrangements that function well
- Keep a digital inventory of items that move with you versus those you typically acquire at each location
- Maintain a “settling in” checklist that captures your family’s priorities
- Build relationships with service providers like furniture rental companies who understand military needs
Conclusion: Home Is Where Your Military Family Is
Despite the challenges of frequent moves, military families demonstrate remarkable resilience in creating homes wherever duty calls. By focusing on consistency in key areas while embracing the adventure of new locations, these families build rich, meaningful lives across multiple homes.
If your military career is bringing you to Washington DC, we invite you to explore how our furniture rental services can ease your transition and help you create a comfortable, personalized home, no matter how long or short your assignment. Our team understands the unique challenges you face and stands ready to support your family’s journey.
Contact Corporate Rentals today to learn more about our military furniture rental options in Washington DC, and take one significant worry off your PCS checklist.
FAQs
How far in advance should military families arrange furniture rentals before a PCS move?
We recommend contacting us 3-4 weeks before your arrival date for optimal selection and delivery scheduling. However, we understand military timelines can change quickly and can accommodate rush orders when necessary.
Can furniture rental packages be customized for specific family needs?
Absolutely. Our packages can be tailored to your family size, housing type, and personal preferences. Whether you need additional storage pieces for children’s items or specialized home office equipment, we can customize your rental package accordingly.
What happens if military orders change unexpectedly?
If military orders change unexpectedly, you can break leases and adjust services under SCRA without penalty. Support is available to ease the move.