Plan for Temporary Furniture and Living
A 1-3 month renovation means weeks without your primary gathering space. Planning ahead for where you'll relax, watch TV, and entertain makes the disruption manageable and protects your belongings from construction dust and damage.
Time Required
1-2 days
Cost
$100-$500/month
Difficulty
Easy
Furniture Protection and Storage
Sort what stays and what goes
If you're replacing furniture as part of the renovation, now is the time to donate or sell pieces you won't keep. Only store items you'll bring back into the finished room.
Rent a storage unit or use the garage
A 10x10 storage unit ($100-$300/month) fits a living room's worth of furniture. Climate-controlled units protect upholstery and electronics. If using a garage, cover everything with moving blankets and plastic sheeting.
Protect adjacent rooms from dust
Hang heavy plastic sheeting over doorways with painter's tape. Use zip-wall poles for a tight seal. Construction dust from demo and drywall work travels everywhere. Seal HVAC vents in the work area with magnetic covers.
Setting Up a Temporary Living Space
- Choose the right room: A spare bedroom, finished basement, or large dining room works best. Prioritize a room with its own TV connection and outlets.
- Move the essentials: Couch or comfortable seating, TV, side table, and good lighting. You don't need everything, just enough to relax.
- Maintain routines: Set up the space to mimic your living room habits. If family movie night is important, make sure the TV setup works.
- Keep pathways clear: Contractors need access through your home. Don't block hallways or doorways with displaced furniture.
Living Through Construction
- Set clear hours: Agree on working hours with your contractor (typically 7:30 AM-5 PM weekdays). No surprise early-morning hammering.
- Establish bathroom access: Specify which bathroom contractors can use. Consider a portable toilet for longer projects.
- Dust management: Run air purifiers in living areas. Change HVAC filters weekly during demo and drywall phases.
- Secure valuables: Lock up jewelry, important documents, and medications. Not because contractors are dishonest, but because subcontractors and delivery people come and go.
- Pet and child safety: Gate off the construction zone. Nails, tools, and construction materials are hazards.
Pro Tips
- •Take before photos now: Document the room from every angle before moving anything. You'll want these for the dramatic before-and-after comparison at the end.
- •Label everything in storage: You'll want to find specific items during the renovation. Clear labels save frustrated searching.
- •Plan for the emotional toll: Living in a construction zone is stressful. Build in weekend getaways or dinner-out nights to stay sane during the messiest phases.