Storage unit while redecorating
Redecorating storage gives you a safe, temporary place to keep furniture, boxes and household belongings while decorating, painting, flooring or renovation work is underway. It helps protect items from dust, paint and damage, while giving you more space to work at home.
Redecorating always sounds simple at the start. A bit of paint here, new flooring there, maybe a fresh wallpaper feature wall if everyone is feeling brave. Then suddenly the sofa is in the hallway, the dining table is under a dust sheet, and every room seems to have a ladder in it. That is where a storage unit while redecorating can make life a lot easier.
LOOK offers flexible redecorating storage for anyone who needs to keep furniture, boxes and belongings safe while work is happening at home. Whether you are painting one room, redoing the floors, refreshing the whole house or living through a renovation that has taken on a personality of its own, temporary storage gives you space to work, protects your items, and keeps everything out of the way until your home is ready again.
What is redecorating storage?
Redecorating storage is temporary storage designed for those moments when your home needs more space than it currently has. It is ideal when you are decorating, painting, refurbishing, renovating, replacing flooring or tackling any job where furniture and belongings are likely to get in the way.
Instead of shifting items from room to room and hoping for the best, you can move them into a clean, secure storage unit for as long as you need. This helps protect your belongings from dust, paint splashes, knocks, damp materials and general decorating chaos. It also gives decorators, tradespeople or enthusiastic DIYers more room to work properly.
Why use storage during redecorating?
A storage unit can make redecorating smoother, safer and a lot less cluttered.
To protect furniture from paint, dust and damage
Paint, plaster dust and furniture do not make the best team. Storage helps keep sofas, tables, cabinets, beds and soft furnishings away from the messy part of the project, reducing the risk of stains, scratches or accidental damage.
To create more room to work in
Decorating is much easier when you can actually move around the room. By storing bulky furniture and packed boxes elsewhere, you get clearer floors, better access to walls and fewer obstacles to shuffle around.
To store items while floors or walls are redone
Flooring, plastering, wallpapering and painting all need space. A storage unit gives you somewhere practical to keep items while rooms are being stripped, sanded, painted, papered or finished.
Temporary storage for bulky furniture that is in the way
Large furniture can be awkward to move and even more awkward to work around. If a sofa, wardrobe or dining table is blocking progress, temporary storage gives it a safe place to wait until the job is done.
Ideal for major renovations or just a freshen-up
You do not need to be doing a full renovation to use storage. It can help with anything from a full home improvement project to a quick room refresh, especially if you want to keep your belongings protected and your home calmer while the work happens.
What can you store?
Storage for redecoration is suitable for most household items that need moving out of the way. Common items include:
- Sofas, chairs, tables and cabinets
- Rugs, mattresses and beds
- Curtains, blinds and soft furnishings
- Mirrors, pictures and home accessories
- Boxes of belongings
- Small appliances and electricals
You can also store lamps, bookcases, sideboards, seasonal items, children’s toys, hobby equipment, spare bedding and anything else that needs to avoid dust, paint or heavy foot traffic.
Some items are not suitable for storage. You cannot store hazardous materials, flammable liquids, wet paint, gas canisters, illegal items, perishable food, plants, animals or anything that could leak, rot or attract pests. If you are unsure whether something is allowed, the LOOK team can advise before move-in.
How does redecorating storage work?
Using a storage unit while redecorating is straightforward, and it can save a lot of hassle once the dust sheets come out.
Choose your unit
Start by working out what needs to leave the house. A few boxes and small furniture may only need a compact unit, while sofas, beds, wardrobes and dining sets may need something larger.
LOOK can help you choose a size that fits your items without leaving you paying for space you do not need. For indoor storage, internal units are a great option for furniture and belongings you want kept protected.
For larger loads or easier loading, storage containers may also be suitable.
You can also use the storage size guide to get a better feel for what might fit.
Pack and prepare your items
Before moving anything into storage, make sure items are clean and dry. Wrap delicate pieces, remove loose parts from furniture, and box up smaller items so they are easier to carry and stack.
Move in
Bring your items to your chosen LOOK location and load your unit in a way that makes sense. If you know you will need certain items back first, keep them near the front. If something is staying put until the decorating is completely finished, it can go further back.
Store safely
Once your belongings are in storage, they are kept away from the mess and disruption at home. That means less risk of paint splashes, dust, knocks or damage while the work is underway.
Access whenever needed
If you need to collect something mid-project, you can visit during LOOK’s standard access hours of 7am to 9pm. This gives you a practical window to pop in, grab what you need, and get back to the decorating fun. Or the decorating reality. Whichever stage you are at.
Why choose LOOK for storage for redecoration?
- Short-term storage that fits the job
Store for the length of your decorating project, whether that is a quick refresh or a longer renovation. - A safe place while your home is upside down
Keep furniture and belongings away from dust, paint, tools and busy work areas. - Unit sizes for small clear-outs or full room moves
From a few boxes to bulky furniture, LOOK can help you find the right amount of space. - Easy loading when you have enough going on
Practical access makes it easier to move furniture, boxes and household items in and out. - Security that helps you relax
CCTV, controlled access and secure site features help protect your belongings while you get on with the project. - Indoor units and outdoor container options
Choose the storage type that best suits your items, your loading needs and the scale of the work. - Helpful local locations
LOOK has storage locations in Bournemouth, Poole and Ferndown, making it convenient for homes across the local area. - Friendly support when you are not sure what size you need
The on-site team can help you work out the best fit, so you do not have to become a storage mathematician overnight.
How to prepare my items for storage
Good preparation helps your belongings come back in the same condition they went in, just without the accidental paint freckles.
Clean furniture before storing it, especially if it has been sitting near decorating dust. Make sure everything is fully dry before it goes into storage, as moisture is not your friend.
Cover sofas, chairs and mattresses with breathable covers where possible. Avoid wrapping soft furnishings too tightly in plastic for long periods, as they need a little air around them.
For wooden furniture, remove loose parts, secure drawers and protect corners. If items can be dismantled safely, taking them apart can save space and make transport easier. Keep screws, bolts and fixings in a labelled bag taped securely to the item.
Electrical items should be cleaned, dried and packed carefully. Remove batteries from smaller devices and keep cables with the item they belong to. Future you will be grateful.
Pack smaller belongings into sturdy boxes and label them by room or contents. Try not to overfill boxes with heavy items like books, unless you enjoy testing friendships on moving day.
For clothes, bedding, curtains and soft furnishings, wash and dry everything before packing. Vacuum bags can be useful for saving space, but make sure items are properly dry before sealing them away.
Redecorating storage cost
The cost of redecorating storage depends on the size of unit you need, how long you need it for, and the type of storage that suits your items. A small unit for boxes and accessories will cost less than a larger unit for sofas, beds, cabinets and full room contents.
LOOK offers flexible storage without long-term leases, which is ideal for decorating and renovation projects where timelines can shift. You can pay monthly, store for the time you need, and speak to the team if your project takes longer than expected or finishes sooner than planned.
Ready to start storing?
Request a quote and get your stuff stored safely ahead of your travelling adventure!
Frequently asked questions about redecorating storage
Redecorating storage is used to keep furniture, boxes and household belongings safely out of the way while decorating or renovation work takes place. It helps protect items from dust, paint, plaster and accidental damage.
It is also useful for creating clearer rooms, making it easier to paint, lay flooring, move ladders or give tradespeople the space they need to work properly.
You can use storage for short-term decorating projects or longer renovation timelines. Some people only need a unit for a few weeks, while others need storage for several months while work is completed.
If the project runs over, which home projects sometimes like to do, you can speak to the team about extending your storage.
Start by listing the large items first, such as sofas, beds, wardrobes, dining tables and cabinets. Then add boxes, soft furnishings, electricals and smaller household items.
The LOOK team can help you estimate the right unit size based on what you are moving out of the way, so you are not guessing or paying for space you do not need – plus you can check out the size guide, which can help you estimate the right unit size for you.
LOOK sites use security features including CCTV and controlled access to help keep stored items protected. Your belongings are stored in your own unit while decorating work continues at home.
For extra peace of mind, pack items properly, label boxes clearly and avoid storing anything prohibited or unsuitable.
Yes. LOOK’s standard access hours are 7am to 9pm, so you can collect items or add more belongings during the project if you need to.
If you think you will be visiting regularly, keep those items near the front of your unit so you do not have to unpack everything to find one lamp or curtain pole.
Yes. Sofas, chairs, beds, mattresses, curtains, rugs and other soft furnishings can be stored while you redecorate. It is a great way to keep them away from dust, paint and general renovation mess.
Make sure everything is clean and dry before storage, and use suitable covers to help protect fabrics and surfaces.
Minimum rental periods can depend on any offer you take up, or storage arrangement you choose. If you only need storage for a short decorating project, ask the team about the best option for your timeline.
If your work takes longer than planned, extending storage is usually straightforward.