We’ve already given you tips for incorporating clever storage in your home renovation, but what about ideas for during it? Many people live in the property during house extensions or renovations, if it’s safe to do so. For most renovations, this means a temporary re-work in your living situation during the build.
Storage tips when renovating your home
So how do you ensure you don’t go crazy and still feel like everything’s in order? Here’s our guide.
1. Get a storage room
You could rent a storage unit, but a cost effective option is designating one room in the house for storage. That probably sounds unappealing, but remember it’s only temporary! Place the stuff you definitely won’t need until the renovation is over towards the back of the room. Save space for stuff you’re not sure about towards the front. Last but not least: label, label, label!
2. Minimise the rest of the house
Chances are, you’re losing a room or two during your home renovation. So it’s time to look at the space you’ve got with a minimalist mind. If you need to move excess furniture into the dining room or living room, maybe pack away any wall art or photo frames. Otherwise all those items in the room could make things feel cluttered.
3. Set up a kitchen corner
The kitchen is the heart of the home, so the idea of having to part with it for a few months during a kitchen remodel is pretty daunting. Many people set up a ‘camp kitchen’ outside on their patio or deck, and put the barbeque and camp stove to good use. For others, laundry rooms are fantastic for temporary kitchens, given the proximity to running water. If neither is an option for you, make sure you at least have a designated kitchen area somewhere.
You don’t need much: set up a bar fridge, microwave, toaster, and just a few key utensils on a small table or workbench. Make sure any food preparation is confined just to this one area, to eliminate crumbs in the rest of your house. Apart from a chopping board, sharp knife, some tupperware, and a dining set per person, pack everything else away and stack it neatly in a spare room or your garage. Tripping over spare muffin tins and baking trays will just add to your renovation chaos – so pack it out of sight!
4. Think of the kids
That awesome toy room your kids love is probably the first target on your quest to find storage space during your reno! Try and soften the blow for the little ones. Take all of the toys out of the toy room first, then move in your boxes and other items for storage. Pop the toys in boxes and stack them towards the front of the room. That way, toys will be easily accessible so you can bring one box out at a time for the kiddos to use in the living room or outside. If you can, create a play corner for them in the living room or their bedroom, so they don’t feel like they’ve lost their play space entirely.
5. Be smart about laundry storage
If you need to store your washing machine, make sure it’s aired out for a few days and there’s no water left in the hoses (otherwise, hello mould!). Keep a bottle of laundry detergent, your pegs, a clotheshorse, and a washing basket out – and pack everything else away.
With a bit of careful planning, you can make sure you’re maximising the space you’re left with while living through a home renovation.
To gеt cost estimates fоr a home extension, contact Hille’s Home Extensions for a free cost appraisal on 9379 8022 or reach out to us via our contact page.