5 Home Improvement Projects to Consider After a PCS Move
Updated: 3 days ago
A new house becomes your home one small project at a time. As a military spouse for more than 30 years and an Arlington Associate Broker with 560+ transactions, I always tell families to choose projects that make daily life easier now and help when it's time to sell or rent. Before you start, check your lease or HOA rules, since many limit paint colors, fences and exterior changes.
First, make it livable
Unpack the essentials first: beds, the kitchen basics, toiletries and a few favorite things for each child.
Set up the shared spaces next so the family has somewhere to gather.
Get back to a routine as quickly as you can. Regular meals and bedtimes make a new house feel normal.
Hang a few familiar pieces of art or photos early. It changes how a room feels.
Project 1: Paint
Paint is the least expensive way to change a room. Choose soft neutrals for the main rooms and save bold colors for a powder room, a child's bedroom or an accent wall that's easy to repaint. Renters can use peel-and-stick wallpaper instead.
Project 2: Storage and an entryway that works
A drop zone by the door: hooks, a bench and a basket for each person. It tames uniforms, backpacks and gear.
A laundry and mudroom upgrade: shelves above the machines, a folding surface and labeled bins. If the two spaces share a room, a few cabinets make it one of the hardest-working rooms in the house.
Closet systems and under-bed bins that move with you.
Project 3: Lighting
Swap dated fixtures, add lamps to dark corners and use warm bulbs in living areas. Plug-in sconces and under-cabinet strip lights are renter-friendly. Leave any rewiring to a licensed electrician.
Project 4: Window treatments
Temporary paper shades give you privacy on day one.
Tension rods and no-sew curtains go up without drilling.
Blackout curtains help kids, and shift workers, sleep.
Window film adds privacy to a front door or bathroom window.
Measure every window and keep the list. You'll need it again at your next home.
Project 5: Outdoor space and privacy
Start small: a few chairs, a rug and string lights make a patio feel like a room.
Privacy: a trellis with climbing vines, tall planters, outdoor curtains or a row of fast-growing shrubs.
Before you plant or dig, check your property lines and HOA rules, and contact Virginia 811 three days before you dig so utility lines can be marked. It's free.
Don't want the upkeep? A lawn service, or a neighbor's teenager, is often worth it.
Project 6: A bathroom refresh
New hardware, a modern faucet, a new mirror, fresh caulk and fluffy towels can update a bathroom in a weekend.
Budget-friendly decor
Thrift and yard sales: military yard-sale pages are full of furniture from families moving out.
Upcycle: paint an old dresser or change its knobs.
Gallery walls and DIY art: frame kids' artwork, maps of past duty stations or family photos.
Houseplants bring a new house to life.
Damage-free hooks and strips are a renter's best friend.
Seasonal touches: pumpkins, gourds, a wreath and a few candles are enough for fall.
A home gym corner
You don't need much space:
No cost: bodyweight workouts and free online videos.
Low cost: a mat, resistance bands, a jump rope and adjustable dumbbells that fit under a bed.
More space: a garage or basement corner with a rack, bench and rubber flooring.
Keep resale in mind
Most military families sell or rent their home at the next PCS. Choose updates buyers and tenants will value, such as paint, lighting, storage and clean bathrooms. Be careful about large, very personal renovations. My curb appeal guide covers which exterior projects tend to pay off.
In Northern Virginia
Many homes here are townhomes or condos with HOA rules, so check them before exterior work. Plant NOVA Natives has lists of native plants that do well here and need less water. If you're still looking for the right home, my neighborhood guide is a good place to start.
Sources: Virginia 811; Plant NOVA Natives.
Last reviewed: October 2026
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