Renovating old buildings in Vienna: store furniture safely

Vienna's old buildings are beautiful – and in need of renovation. Whether sanding parquet, new electrics, breaking through walls, or a complete overhaul: sooner or later, a renovation is due in many Wilhelminian-style flats. And with it comes the question every property owner asks: where to put the furniture? Anyone leaving their furnishings in the flat during building work risks dust in every crevice, paint splashes on the sofa, and scratches on heirlooms. The better solution: temporary storage via self storage in Vienna.

Why furniture should be removed during renovation

Many first try the classic method: push everything into the middle of the room and cover it with plastic sheeting. In practice, this rarely works well – for several reasons:

• Fine construction dust creeps everywhere: Sanding and chiselling work creates dust that gets under protective sheets and settles in upholstery and electronics.
• Tradespeople need space: Clear rooms mean faster work – cluttered rooms delay the renovation and drive up working hours.
• Risk of damage: Where ladders, tools, and materials are being moved, furniture is easily scratched.
• Paint and moisture damage: Freshly plastered walls give off moisture – poison for solid wood furniture and upholstery.

Preparing furniture correctly for storage

A little preparation is worthwhile to ensure your furnishings survive the renovation undamaged:

• Clean: Store furniture clean and completely dry – this prevents stains and odours.
• Dismantle what can be dismantled: Tables, beds, and wardrobes take up significantly less storage space when dismantled.
• Protect upholstery and mattresses: Use breathable covers or blankets, not airtight plastic sheeting – moisture can build up underneath.
• Pad delicate surfaces: Protect edges with blankets or edge guards, transport glass tops separately and upright.
• Heavy items at the bottom, light items on top: This allows you to stack safely and make optimal use of the height of the storage unit.

Stay flexible if the building work takes longer

Anyone who has ever renovated knows: it almost always takes longer than planned. That is precisely why a storage unit in Vienna is the ideal solution: the minimum rental period is just 30 days, after which the contract can be cancelled monthly. If completion is delayed by weeks, your storage extends automatically – if the flat is ready earlier, you simply cancel for the following month. So you never pay for longer than the building work actually takes.

You also remain flexible when it comes to size: a compact compartment is enough for a single room, while for an entire flat's furnishings you choose a correspondingly larger unit. Our page on self storage costs provides a transparent overview.

Well planned is half renovated: the right timing

Book the temporary storage unit as soon as the renovation date is set – ideally one to two weeks before work starts. This allows you to clear out calmly and in stages, rather than tackling everything on the last weekend. This sequence has proven successful: store books, decorations, and rarely used items first, then the large furniture, and finally keep only the essentials in the flat. After the renovation: clean thoroughly and let the rooms dry first before bringing the furniture back – this keeps the freshly sanded parquet looking good and the upholstery dust-free.

The right location: close to the building site

During a renovation, you constantly need something from storage – the toolbox, winter jacket, documents. Therefore: the closer the storage unit is to the flat or your commute, the more relaxed the construction phase will be. Squarefoot operates around 29 locations in many Viennese districts, from the centre to the outer suburbs. You can find the nearest one on our page all self storage locations in Vienna.

Conclusion: renovating without worrying about your furnishings

Renovating a period property is stressful enough – your furniture doesn't have to suffer too. In a dry, clean storage unit, your belongings survive dust, paint and tradespeople completely unscathed, while work in the empty flat moves along faster. It's best to book your temporary storage before the building work starts: simply choose the size and book your storage unit online – starting your renovation organised and ending it without unpleasant surprises.