When planning a home renovation, there are many factors to consider, such as your budget, contractors, permits, and more. On top of those big decisions, you must also decide what to do with your possessions during the remodeling process.
Even if your remodel is a minor one, there will be plenty of dust, dirt, debris, and moisture that can potentially damage your belongings. Plus, in many cases, you will need to move your furniture entirely for the remodel to be possible.
The most effective solution? Portable storage containers. These moving and storage essentials are the perfect solution for tackling any home renovation project. Before you start swinging the sledgehammer and brushing on the paint, use this guide to learn more about how portable storage containers can help you make your renovation dreams a reality.
3 Things To Do Before You Start Your Remodel
1. Clean
It may seem counterintuitive to clean before making a mess, but when it comes to storage, it’s an essential step. Over time, dirt, dust, and other contaminants can settle into and damage fabrics and other surfaces. If you are planning to store your items for more than a few weeks, it is important to give them a thorough cleaning beforehand to ensure they stay in pristine condition throughout the process.
2. Purge
Another tedious but necessary step is to declutter your belongings. Although this may require some effort upfront, it can save you time and money in the long run. You’ll probably want to give your new space a fresh look after your remodel is complete anyway, so you might as well get a head start and get rid of the old stuff. Donating to local charities, thrift stores, and hosting yard sales are great ways to quickly get rid of outdated furniture, clothing, electronics, and other clutter.
3. Reserve Your Container
You’ll want to reserve your U-Box containers ahead of time. When making a reservation, review the delivery options closely to find what’s best for you. Many homeowners like the convenience of keeping their container on their property, but you can also store it at a nearby U-Haul storage facility if you have restrictions against U-Box containers in your neighborhood or simply don’t have the space at home.
Another factor to consider is the number of containers best suited for the job. To get an idea, this guide will help you figure out how many U-Box containers you’ll need. Fortunately, if you end up with too many or not enough, you can change your order at any time.
How to Use U-Box Containers For Temporary Storage During Renovation
It’s not quite as simple as piling your stuff in a U-Box container. As some remodels can take months (that’s if they stay on schedule), it’s essential to pack your items properly to ensure they stay in the best condition possible for the long haul. Here’s how we recommend using your U-Box container for renovation storage.
Furniture Storage
Proper furniture storage for home renovation starts with protecting your furniture with the right materials. In this case, plastic furniture covers are a must-have. They easily slip on and off most furniture, including sofas, chairs, love seats, and appliances and protect against moisture, dust, dirt, and more. For long term storage, use a furniture pad and plastic wrap. As a bonus, each U-Box container comes with 24 FREE rental furniture pads!
When loading furniture into your U-Box container, it’s important to pack heaviest items on the bottom. Like packing a moving truck, you should strive to create tiers – each tier should have a solid foundation made of appliances and furniture with boxes and other lighter items on top. When you reach the top of the container, your tier is finished and you can start a new one.
Kitchen Items
Packing kitchen items like dishes, glasses, and silverware is a crucial step during a kitchen remodel. Like moving, using dish pack boxes is the easiest and fastest way to get your fragile dishware and glassware packed for temporary storage. Boxes with cardboard cell partitions that keep items isolated are best. Foam pouches, packing paper, bubble wrap, and other protective materials should also be used to add padding and further minimize shifting.
Mattress Storage
Plastic mattress covers are your best bet for fast and reliable protection while a bedroom renovation is underway. For best mattress protection, use sealable mattress bags to keep moisture, pests, dust, and other harmful elements away from your mattress. Be sure to pack your mattress in the container upright to save space. If your renovation is going to be a long one, consider cleaning the mattress first and airing it out every so often so mildew and musty odors don’t develop.
Electronics
Storing pricey electronics outdoors may seem like a questionable approach, but rest assured your belongings will be protected from the elements in a U-Box container. If you’d rather have them kept indoors, that’s an option too with our Access at a U-Haul Location delivery option.
Larger electronics, such as TVs and monitors, should be packed in a suitable box and pinned in an upright position between two larger items, like a mattress and dresser. Other gadgets can be stored in smaller boxes and stacked on top of your heavy foundation pieces.
Paint & Other Renovation Supplies
Renovations often come with odds and ends such as tools, lumber, hardware, and more. To ensure these are safely stored, we recommend packing them in plastic moving boxes before placing them in your U-Box container. Plastic moving boxes are the ideal choice for storing and moving rugged building materials due to their durability and maneuverability. They're also easily stackable, which is a major plus when you’re building out your tiers.
5 Benefits of Using U-Box Containers For Home Renovation Storage
24/7 Access to Your Stuff – Don’t worry about storing something now then suddenly needing it later. The beauty of keeping a U-Box container on your property is that it’s available to you whenever you need it. Just be sure to organize your items so you know where everything is.
Keep Them For as Long As You Want – Home renovations are unpredictable. What you planned to take a few weeks could easily turn into months. With U-Box by U-Haul, that’s not a problem, as you can hold onto your containers for as long as you need them, no questions asked.
Store Them at Your Place or Ours – As we mentioned previously, if storing a U-Box container on your property isn’t a possibility, you can store it at a clean, secure, U-Haul storage facility nearby. Better yet, you can split time between the two if that suits your needs better.
Rent as Many Containers as You Need – There are no limits to the number of containers you can rent. If you’re remodeling a single bedroom or the whole house, we’ve got you covered. If you end up with too many (or not enough), you can always change your order on the fly.
Add Moving Help® Any Time – Maybe you started your remodel with a heavy DIY spirit, but now you’re ready for a helping hand. No problem; get professional help loading and unloading your U-Box container at any time by adding Moving Help at any time to your order to do the heavy lifting.
Unfortunately we can’t help you choose a color for the accent wall or replace the plumbing in your kitchen. However, we can help you by providing secure and convenient storage for your belongings and other home renovation resolutions. Get a U-Box quote today to get started!
