By someone who thought a kitchen remodel would be “kind of fun.”
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably binge-watched enough HGTV to believe that a home renovation is just a little demo day, some dust, a cool backsplash, and boom — your dream kitchen. Right?
Wrong. So wrong.
Here’s what nobody really tells you: renovating your house turns your entire life into a disaster zone. I’m talking boxes in the bathroom, couches pushed into the hallway, and nowhere to eat breakfast unless you’re cool with sitting on your washing machine. For us, the tipping point was when our dog started sleeping inside a pile of drop cloths like it was a new dog bed.
We needed space — like yesterday — and that’s when we discovered the magic of renting a self-storage unit from Riley Self Storage here in Riley, Indiana.
Why am I writing this?
Because honestly? I wish someone had told me sooner that temporary storage was even an option during a home remodel. I would’ve saved myself a lot of headaches (and maybe even my relationship 😅).
So if you’re knee-deep in renovations or about to start one, let me be the friend that passes on this golden nugget: Get yourself a storage unit. Here’s why.
Problem #1: Your House Becomes a Game of Tetris
Our remodel started simple enough — “Let’s just update the kitchen.” Cut to three days later, and suddenly the living room was filled with kitchen chairs, the garage was packed with random boxes, and we couldn’t find the coffee maker. My partner and I were stepping over furniture like we were in a jungle gym made of IKEA.
That was the moment it clicked: we didn’t need more organizing — we needed less stuff in the house.
Riley Self Storage had units available literally down the road from us. I reserved one online in like 3 minutes (no joke), and we had a 10×10 unit ready to go that same day.
Problem #2: Dust Gets E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E
You think you’re prepared. You lay down plastic sheets, cover the couch, and even tape the vents. And yet somehow… everything still gets coated in a layer of dust that feels like it came from another dimension.
What we didn’t realize is how much nicer it would be to just move the bigger stuff out altogether — especially the furniture and electronics we actually wanted to keep clean and intact. We’re talking our couch, bookshelves, speaker setup — even our dining room table. All of it went straight into our storage unit, which was climate-controlled and super clean, by the way.
Bonus: We weren’t stressing about contractors tripping over stuff or breaking something expensive.
Problem #3: Renovation = Relationship Strain
Real talk? Living in a half-done house while also trying to cook, work, and not snap at each other 24/7 is a recipe for disaster. The clutter added to the stress in ways I didn’t expect.
Once we moved our extra stuff into storage, everything felt lighter. We had room to breathe again — physically and emotionally. It wasn’t perfect, but it helped us reclaim a little sanity.
Sometimes, putting space between you and your things is the self-care move you didn’t know you needed.
What We Stored (So You Can Steal Our List)
If you’re wondering what actually went into storage, here’s a snapshot:
- Our couch (the 3-piece sectional that takes up a whole wall)
- Coffee table, end tables, floor lamps
- Dining table + 6 chairs
- Bar cart (RIP, happy hour corner 😔)
- Kitchen boxes (dishes, small appliances, pantry items)
- Two big bookshelves and their books
- Extra flooring that hadn’t been installed yet
- A very annoying box labeled “random stuff from drawers” (you know the one)
It all fit easily in our 10×10 unit — and we still had space left over.
Why Riley Self Storage Was Actually… Kinda Awesome?
Alright, shameless plug time, but they really were great. Here’s why:
1. It’s Local
Like, actually local. No mega-corporation vibes. The team was helpful, knew the area, and made me feel like a human — not a rental contract.
2. It Took Me 3 Minutes to Book Online
I did it from my phone while standing in my chaotic kitchen. Couldn’t have been easier.
3. 24/7 Access
This was a game changer. We could load stuff in after work, or grab something at 9pm when we realized we accidentally stored the blender (again).
4. Climate-Controlled = Peace of Mind
Indiana weather is wild, and I didn’t want my electronics or books getting warped from the heat. Their climate-controlled unit kept everything crisp.
But What About Cost?
We paid around $80/month, which felt like a steal for how much chaos it prevented. Think about it — the average person drops hundreds on takeout during renovations because your kitchen’s out of commission. We skipped a few DoorDash orders and bam, storage was paid for.
Plus, it’s all month-to-month. So when the reno was done (blessed be), we just cleaned out the unit and moved on with our lives. No drama.
Tips I Wish I Knew Beforehand
Let me save you some trial and error:
- Label Everything. You think you’ll remember what’s in those boxes. You won’t.
- Leave Walkways. Don’t cram everything to the ceiling. Future you will thank you when you need to grab “just one thing.”
- Use Furniture Blankets. Even though our unit was spotless, we covered stuff just in case. Worth it.
- Stack Smart. Heavier stuff on bottom. Obvious, but you’ll forget in the rush.
- Take a Pic of the Inside. Trust me, it’s easier than listing everything.
Would I Do It Again?
100%. Actually, I plan to.
We’re talking about redoing the bathroom next spring (God help us), and the first thing on my checklist isn’t picking tile — it’s reserving a storage unit again.
I’ve learned my lesson.
Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’re renovating your house — especially if you’re in the Riley or Terre Haute area — do yourself a favor and rent a storage unit. It takes like 5 minutes to set up, makes your home livable during chaos, and gives your stuff a safe place to ride out the storm.
I thought self-storage was something people used only when moving or downsizing. Turns out, it’s also one of the most underrated renovation hacks out there.
So if you’re mid-demo and drowning in boxes and frustration? Hit up Riley Self Storage. Your future self (and your therapist) will thank you.
rileystorage.com 