Renovation dust has a rare talent for reaching rooms that were supposedly sealed, closed and nowhere near the work. Add tools, deliveries and displaced furniture, and a straightforward project can make the whole house feel unliveable.
Temporary storage creates working space. It protects belongings and lets builders get on with the job without shifting your furniture from one corner to another every morning.
Start with the rooms being worked on
Empty the active renovation area properly. Do not leave “just a few things” in cupboards or under dust sheets if they can be moved. Clear access helps work happen faster and reduces accidental damage.
Move out:
- Furniture and rugs
- Pictures, mirrors and ornaments
- Curtains and soft furnishings
- Books and electronics
- Anything stored inside fitted units that will be removed
Next, clear the route through the house
Builders need to carry materials, tools and waste safely. Clear hallways, stairs and the route between the entrance and work area. Move fragile furniture away from corners and doorways.
Protect the rooms beside the work
The room next door often becomes an unofficial storage area until it is impossible to use. Move valuable or bulky belongings out before that happens. Keep only the essentials you genuinely need during the project.
Store soft furnishings early
Sofas, mattresses, curtains, rugs and upholstered chairs absorb dust and odours. Once they are clean and dry, protect them with suitable covers and move them away from the work.
Use our guide to storing furniture without damaging it.
Do not forget the garage and driveway
Renovation materials, a skip and trade vehicles can quickly take over outside space. Moving bicycles, garden tools, outdoor furniture and stored household belongings can make deliveries and access far easier.
Store materials only when it makes practical sense
A storage container can be useful for clean, non-hazardous materials and fixtures that have arrived before they are needed. Kitchens, bathroom fittings, flooring and boxed items can be protected from site clutter until installation.
Check with Michael before storing unusually heavy items, liquids, chemicals or trade materials. The storage agreement and safe loading limits come first.
Use zones rather than one giant pile
Create sections for:
- Furniture returning after the work
- Fixtures waiting to be installed
- Decorating materials
- Items needed during the renovation
- Belongings that may stay stored longer
Leave an aisle if the project will run for several weeks. The item you need next will otherwise develop a mysterious ability to hide at the very back.
What should stay with you?
Keep important documents, medication, valuables, everyday clothes, chargers and anything needed for children, pets or work. Storage should remove disruption, not create a weekly treasure hunt.
When should belongings come back?
Wait until dust-producing work is complete, paint and plaster have dried, and the room has been cleaned. Bring furniture back in a sensible order, starting with the largest pieces.
Flexible storage near Hastings
Michael Horley Self-Storage offers one drive-up 20ft container on Bexhill Road in St Leonards, close to Hastings. The price is £180 per month, with flexible rental and access arranged to suit the project.
See what fits in the container, view the Hastings storage details, or call Michael on 07747 607543.