Kitchen renovation: where to store dishes and appliances?
New worktop, replacement units, electrician, plumber… A kitchen renovation quickly turns into a major project. Drawers are emptied, appliances disconnected, dust everywhere – and yet you still need to cook a little and live comfortably. In the BAB area, where cupboards and storage are limited, the big question soon becomes: where can you put all those plates, pans and appliances during the works?
Why kitchen renovation takes over the whole flat
The kitchen concentrates a lot of items in a very small space: everyday dishes, special-occasion tableware, pots and pans, gadgets, large appliances, pantry… As soon as you empty the cupboards for the works, everything has to be moved somewhere else.
- Boxes of glassware and plates pile up in the living-room, hallway or spare room.
- Dismantled units take up floor space and make it harder for tradespeople to move around.
- Dust from sanding or drilling settles on appliances left in the room.
- Improvised “mini kitchens” pop up in different corners of the flat and you no longer know where anything is.
- The home becomes less pleasant to live in, especially if the renovation lasts several weeks.
Without a temporary storage solution, a kitchen renovation ends up disrupting the whole home. The idea is to remove from the living space everything that is not strictly necessary for day-to-day cooking.
A self-storage unit: your kitchen “outside the home”
Renting a self-storage unit for the duration of the works allows you to create a small “off-site kitchen”. You can move out your bulky tableware, rarely used gadgets and even dismantled units, and keep only a minimalist kit at home.
In a clean, dry and secure building, your boxes are protected from dust, knocks and humidity. From Bayonne, Anglet or the surrounding towns, a unit close to home – for example in our Bayonne Les Arènes centre – remains easily accessible if you need to pick up an extra dish or appliance during the works.
- You fully clear the kitchen so tradespeople can work faster and more safely.
- You keep your living-room and bedrooms usable, without piles of boxes everywhere.
- Your dishes and appliances are protected from dust, paint and accidental bumps.
- You can extend or shorten the rental period depending on how the project progresses.
- A few square metres are usually enough to store a complete kitchen if units are dismantled.
Real-life example: a renovation without losing the living-room
In Bayonne, a couple renovating their open-plan kitchen decided to rent a 3 m² storage unit for six weeks. They stored around twenty boxes of dishes, their weekend appliances (stand mixer, raclette set, plancha) and a dismantled sideboard. At home, they kept only a very small “camping kitchen” with a few plates, glasses and pans. The result: a clear workspace for tradespeople, no boxes in the living-room and a flat that remained pleasant to live in throughout the renovation.
Preparing dishes and appliances before storing them
A bit of preparation before you load the unit will save breakages and make re-installing the kitchen much easier.
- Put together a survival kit with just enough dishes and utensils for a few weeks of simple cooking.
- Use strong boxes for fragile items, with bubble wrap, tissue paper or tea towels between plates and bowls.
- Avoid very heavy boxes: several small boxes are easier to carry up and down stairs.
- Prepare small appliances: empty tanks, clean them, wrap cables and protect corners and controls.
- Get large appliances ready: defrost fridges and freezers, let them dry completely and secure the doors.
- Label boxes clearly (for example “Fragile dishes”, “Small appliances”, “Dry food”) so that you know what to bring back first.
Organising your storage unit for easy access
A well-organised storage unit lets you retrieve a dish or gadget without unpacking everything.
- Place at the back what you will only use when the kitchen is finished (party tableware, seasonal appliances).
- Keep at the front one or two “buffer” boxes in case the works take longer than expected.
- Leave a central aisle so you can reach any box without having to empty the unit.
- Group boxes by category (dishes, small appliances, large appliances, pantry items) and note the layout on your phone.
- Choose the right size of unit using our volume calculator: for a typical kitchen, a few well-packed square metres are enough.
More tips for stress-free home renovation
- Plan your storage solution before work starts so you don’t have to move boxes at the last minute.
- Clear the kitchen properly to make life easier for tradespeople and reduce dust on your belongings.
- Choose a unit with easy access from Bayonne, Anglet or nearby towns to simplify trips back and forth.
- Take advantage of flexible monthly rental so your belongings stay safe until the project is really finished.
- Ask our local team to help you choose the right volume for your kitchen.
A kitchen renovation doesn’t have to mean chaos at home. With some sorting, good preparation and a nearby storage unit in the BAB area, you can protect your dishes and appliances while keeping a comfortable living space. You can book a unit online in just a few clicks and start your project with peace of mind.