Home Renovation Storage in Iowa: The Complete Planning Guide

You signed the contract. The kitchen renovation starts in three weeks. Then you're standing in your kitchen thinking, "Wait—where's the refrigerator supposed to go? What about my dining table? All the stuff in these cabinets?"

I've watched this happen dozens of times. Some people call me two months before their project even starts. They're asking about storage units and planning timelines. Those people sail through their renovations. The others call me a week before and panic because their contractor's starting Monday and nothing is figured out.

Here's the thing: if you don't have a plan for where your stuff goes, your house becomes a disaster. Furniture gets damaged. Contractors can't work efficiently. Your project takes longer than it should.

Why This Actually Matters

Contractors need space. They need to move materials in, work without tripping over your couch, haul debris out. If your stuff is in their way, they slow down. And when they slow down, you pay more. It's that simple.

More than that, your belongings get beat up during renovation. Drywall dust gets on everything. Paint splatter happens. If temperature's swinging from hot to cold during construction, furniture warps. Contractors move things. Sometimes they're careful. Sometimes they're not. If your good dining table is sitting next to the work zone, there's a chance it gets dings and scratches.

Your stuff needs to be somewhere safe and out of the way.

What Actually Moves Into Storage

You don't need to store everything. Think practically.

Furniture, Appliances & Cabinet Contents

If they're gutting your kitchen, your dining table goes. If they're working on a bathroom, move bedroom furniture that's blocking hallways. Appliances you're replacing need somewhere to sit. Everything in cabinets that are getting ripped out—dishes, glasses, tools, cleaning supplies—all that moves.

Breakables & Decorative Items

Decorative stuff, framed pictures, anything breakable should go. Vibration from power tools breaks things. I've seen picture frames fall off walls just from contractors working nearby.

What Stays Accessible

After that, use common sense. Your toothbrush stays in the bathroom. Your coffee maker stays in the kitchen. You're living there while this happens. Things you use every day stay accessible. Things you won't touch for three months go into storage.

Hanging clothes usually stay in a bedroom closet if that room's not being worked on. You're just trying to clear the space where contractors need to work while keeping your life somewhat normal.

Timing (This Is Important)

Start thinking about this two months before work begins. Walk around your house. See what's in the way. Make a note. You're not panicking—you're just planning.

Four to Six Weeks Before

Call a storage facility. Summer is when everyone's renovating, so spaces fill up. Get your unit reserved before you're in a crunch. When you call, ask about access. You might need to grab something during the project. Know whether you can get in whenever you need to.

Two to Three Weeks Before

Start packing the stuff that's easy to pack—seasonal items, books, decorative pieces. You're spreading the work out. You're not doing it all in one weekend and exhausting yourself.

One Week Before

Pack the furniture stuff and anything else you'll need to move. Then the day before or the weekend before the contractor shows up, get everything moved into storage. They show up Monday morning and everything's already clear.

During the Project

Once they're working, don't go in and out of storage constantly. It's annoying and you'll lose track of what's where. When you need something, you get it. When the project's almost done—about a week or two before they finish—start bringing stuff back. Don't wait until the last day. You'll be tired and overwhelmed. Bring things back gradually.

What Type of Storage You Actually Need

Climate-Controlled vs. Basic Storage

Climate-controlled storage runs about $130 to $180 a month. Basic storage is $80 to $130. For a three-month kitchen job, you're spending $240 to $390 for basic, or $390 to $540 for climate-controlled.

Here's when it matters: if what you're storing can get messed up by humidity or temperature swings, get climate control. Humidity in summer warps wood. It damages leather. Temperature swings crack paint finishes. If you've got a nice dining set, an antique, or real leather furniture, spend the extra money. Climate control protects it.

If you're storing boxes of everyday kitchen stuff, basic storage is fine.

Choosing the Right Unit Size

For unit size, think about what you're actually moving.

• 10x10: A kitchen renovation with a table, chairs, and cabinet contents.
• 10x15 or 10x20: Larger renovations with multiple rooms.

Ask your contractor how much they estimate you're moving. Then size up a little—you always need more space than you think.

Why Drive-Up Access Helps

Drive-up storage is better for this. You're loading heavy furniture and boxes in and out multiple times. You don't want to haul a dining table through hallways on a dolly. Drive-up, you park and unload directly.

Protecting Your Stuff

Wrap & Label Everything

Wrap furniture with moving blankets. It prevents scratches. Label every box. "Kitchen dishes—box 1 of 4" instead of guessing later what's in there. Heavy boxes go on the bottom.

Store Appliances Properly

If you're storing an appliance, drain it first if it's got water lines. Prop the door open a bit so moisture doesn't build up inside. Wrap it up so dust doesn't settle on it.

Keep an Inventory

Keep track of what you put in there. Count your boxes. Write down where furniture is. When the project's over, you can make sure you got everything back.

Mistakes I See Happen

Waiting Too Long

People wait until the contractor calls and says they're starting Monday. Then they panic. Plan two months ahead. It's not that much earlier but it changes everything.

Storing Too Much

Some people move their entire bedroom "just in case" and end up paying for space they never use. Be honest about what needs to go. Store what blocks contractors or what needs protection. Leave everything else accessible at home.

Choosing the Wrong Storage

The worst is storing expensive furniture in basic storage during summer. You put a leather couch in a hot unit with no humidity control, it gets damaged, and then you're mad—but you made the choice. Spend the extra money if it matters.

Expecting Your Contractor to Handle It

Also, don't assume your contractor will handle your storage. They won't. You coordinate it. You manage when things go in and out. You confirm access hours upfront. That's on you.

Just Get It Done

Plan early. Pack gradually over a few weeks instead of all at once. Pick the right storage type for what you've got. Talk to your contractor about timing. Move stuff back slowly as they're wrapping up.

If you're renovating around Des Moines, call b.Mac's. Tell us what you're doing and how long you need space. We'll get you in the right unit and figure out whether you need climate control. Then you can focus on your project. We've got the storage handled. Also if you are moving to Des Moines - you might be interested in checking out our guide to new movers to the city with useful tips.