Summer is often the perfect time for renovation: longer days, better weather, time off work… But between painting, new flooring, and kitchen or bathroom upgrades, one question always comes up: where do you store your furniture during the works? Sofas, beds, appliances and boxes quickly fill every corner. Here is a look at the different options to store your furniture temporarily in summer, at home or in a nearby self-storage unit in the Basque Country.

Why you should really move furniture out during summer works

It may be tempting to push everything into the middle of the room, throw a sheet over it and hope for the best. In practice, this rarely works well.

Protecting your furniture from sanding dust, paint splashes, scratches and knocks.
Better quality work on floors, skirting, walls and ceilings when the room is clear.
Safety for you, children and tradespeople with fewer obstacles to trip over.
Time saved for professionals, which can mean fewer days of disruption.
Heat and fumes: in summer, paint smells and dust feel stronger in cluttered rooms.

Emptying the room (or rooms) as much as possible helps protect your furniture and makes the project easier to live with.

Option 1: using another room as temporary storage

This is the first instinct, especially in flats.

Guest bedroom, study or living-room can host a sofa, mattress or a few dismantled pieces of furniture.
One “buffer room” where you gather everything from rooms under renovation instead of spreading items all over the home.
Dismantle furniture such as beds and wardrobes to save space and store parts against the wall.
Basic protection with moving blankets, sheets or covers.
Maintain safe walkways so you are not climbing over chairs all summer.

The downside: after a few weeks, living in a maze of stacked furniture can become uncomfortable, especially in small homes without a cellar or garage.

Option 2: cellar, garage, balcony… with precautions

Cellars, garages, garden sheds and balconies are other common solutions for temporary storage.

Cellars and basements are handy for a few days, but humidity can quickly damage wood and textiles.
Garages work if you can still park and open car doors safely.
Balconies and terraces are only suitable for furniture that can cope with sun and temperature changes.
Protect properly: raise furniture on pallets or blocks and use thick covers or plastic wrap.
Avoid storing sensitive appliances or solid wood pieces in very damp or unsafe spaces.

These options are useful for short periods, but are limited in volume, protection and security.

Option 3: using friends’ or family’s spare space

In summer, many people ask parents, friends or neighbours for a bit of extra space.

Parents’ spare room for a few pieces of furniture or sentimental boxes.
Friend’s garage if items are clearly labelled and expectations are clear.
Limited time frame: beyond a few weeks, it can become inconvenient for everyone.
Transport costs and time if you need multiple car or van trips back and forth.

It can help for a small project, but shows its limits for multi-room summer renovations.

Option 4: renting a self-storage unit for the duration of the works

For heavier work (floors, kitchens, bathrooms, several rooms at once), renting a self-storage unit is often the most practical solution.

Right-sized space: from a small unit for a few pieces to a larger one for a whole living-room.
Flexible duration with monthly contracts to match 4–8 weeks of summer renovations.
Clean, dry and secure conditions for wood, textiles and appliances.
Easy access whenever you need to pick up or bring back an item mid-project.
Less stress at home because you are not living in a cluttered building site.

In Bayonne, Anglet and Biarritz, where many homes lack cellars and attics, a unit in our Anglet centre or another nearby site becomes your temporary “extra room” during the works.

What size unit for summer renovation projects?

The right size depends on how many rooms you are clearing and what furniture you have. As a guide:

2–3 m² to empty a bedroom (bed, mattress, chest of drawers, clothes boxes).
3–4 m² for a standard living-room (sofa, TV unit, shelves, coffee table, boxes).
4–5 m² for one bedroom + one living-room or if you include large appliances (fridge, washing machine).
5 m² and more if you are renovating the whole flat and clearing several rooms.

You can refine your choice using our unit size calculator and asking our teams in Bayonne, Anglet or Biarritz for advice.

Preparing furniture for summer storage

A few simple steps will protect your furniture during several weeks or months in storage.

Dismantle what you can (table legs, bed frames, shelves) to save space.
Clean surfaces before storage to avoid ingrained stains and smells.
Use moving blankets and bubble wrap on fragile or valuable items.
Raise furniture slightly off the floor with pallets or blocks, especially in basements or garages.
Label boxes clearly by room for an easier move back in.

Organising your unit for a smooth move back

When the works are finished, you will want to retrieve essentials quickly without emptying the whole unit.

Place long-term items at the back (spare furniture, off-season decor).
Keep essentials at the front: beds, sofa, a few boxes with bedding and basic kitchenware.
Stack solid boxes safely and avoid placing them directly on delicate furniture.
Leave a central aisle so you can reach the back if needed.
Take a photo of the loaded unit so you remember where everything is.

Case study: easier summer renovations thanks to a unit

In Anglet, Lucie and Mathieu decide to use their summer holidays to change the living-room flooring and repaint two bedrooms. Their 3-room flat does not have enough space to store all furniture in the hallway and kitchen. They rent a 4 m² self-storage unit on the BAB. In one morning, they move their sofa, TV unit, bed, chest of drawers and several boxes of decor to the unit. The rooms are clear, tradespeople work faster and the family can still live comfortably at home. When the works are done, they bring furniture back in two trips and cancel the unit. The result: less stress, fewer breakages and a smoother summer renovation.

Clear rooms as much as possible during summer renovations to protect your furniture.
Use a buffer room, cellar or garage only if conditions are dry and secure.
Consider renting a self-storage unit for a few weeks if several rooms are being renovated.
Prepare and protect your furniture before storage to extend its lifespan.
Organise your unit so essentials are easy to access once the works are finished.

Planning summer renovations in Bayonne, Anglet or Biarritz and not sure where to put your furniture during the works? By combining smart sorting and a temporary self-storage unit in the Basque Country, you protect your belongings, make tradespeople’s work easier and experience a calmer renovation. Estimate your needs, explore our local centres and book your unit online in just a few clicks.