Home renovations can be quite a stressful ordeal, particularly when you’re trying to keep all of your belongings safe in the process. Whilst it will undoubtedly all be worth it in the end, keeping your home (and sanity) intact during home renovations can be particularly difficult. From storing away fragile items to finding your way through a maze of plastic sheets and power tools, keeping your prized possessions safe requires a bit of strategy and foresight. So, let these simple steps guide you through your options for a safe and stress-free home makeover.
Choose Storage Solutions
One of the best ways to protect your belongings during a renovation is to place what you can in storage. Keeping items out of the house will not only protect them from damage but will also open up space that you will be clutching for once in the thick of the renovation process.
There are three main storage options - managed storage, self-storage and mobile storage, so knowing which storage solution works for you is important. Understanding what to look for when choosing could be the difference between a full-service reputable company and accidentally ending up with someone’s home garage. By doing thorough research and finding storage companies that have positive customer reviews and trusted experience, you can ensure that all of your treasured possessions will be kept safe and sound regardless of what’s happening at home.
Create an Inventory List
Depending on how big of a project you are undertaking, home renovations can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to many months. Before you find yourself battling over paint colours and wood floor vs. laminate flooring, it’s a good idea to create an inventory list to keep track of all the belongings that will be stored away and the places where they will be stored. Making a list of your items first, before packing anything away can help avoid confusion on where things have ended up going. It also helps you to track what is still at home so that whilst renovations are going on and you have many workers in and out of the house, you know where everything is. You can also use an inventory calculator to work out how much storage you will need to avoid paying for more than you use.
Pack Smartly
Take packing as your first line of defence when it comes to safety preparation for renovations. Whether you’re keeping items in your home or placing them in storage, knowing how to properly pack is essential. Whilst you may think it’s as simple as chucking everything in a box and taping it up, there are a few key rules to follow to help make sure everything stays safe.
- Use high-quality packing materials that will withstand weight
- Use plastic boxes for belongings at home - protects better from moisture in the air
- Colour code your labels for each room
- Always refer back to the inventory list
- Consider packing down assembled furniture so that it takes up less space and wrapping any other large items
- Invest in storage that offers packing services so that boxes are packed correctly and professionally
Allocate an At-home Storage Room
While placing your belongings in external storage is the perfect solution to keeping them safe, some items need to be kept close to hand. You will probably need access to things like kitchen utensils and clothing every day, so keeping them within your home makes the most sense. Allocating one room within your home to keep the boxes of belongings will avoid having unnecessary space cluttered up and the boxes getting crushed or damaged accidentally. Choosing a room that is rarely occupied and doesn’t need renovation work is best, but if your whole house is under renovation then your allocated storage room may need rotating.
Use Protective Covers & Dust Sheets
For anyone who has undergone home renovations before will know, dust can become your unwanted roommate, sticking around even after the builders and contractors leave. Although most furniture and belongings can be tucked away nicely in your storage unit, there will be some parts within your home that are unmovable, meaning you have to find another way to protect them.
Fixed items such as TV units, fireplaces and carpets unfortunately can't go anywhere and if left out in the open will likely end up damaged from dusty work boots and drilling, even with the most careful of builders. Fear not, however, investing in high-quality protective materials such as dust sheets, furniture wraps and covers will keep those fixed items safe and sound for as long as need be.
On reflection
Embarking on a home renovation project doesn't have to mean putting your cherished belongings at risk. By choosing the right storage solutions, packing smartly, and using proper protective materials, you can ensure your possessions remain safe throughout the entire process.
While the renovation journey may feel overwhelming at times, following these preparation steps will help minimise stress and potential damage so that once the work is done you can enjoy re-filling your newly renovated house with all that makes it feel like home.
