How to Continue Life at Home During a Renovation

When you start a home renovation, one of the first questions is almost always: “How are we going to live at home?” While smaller home renovations don’t always mean moving out, living at home during a renovation comes with its own challenges — dust where it shouldn’t be, routines that suddenly don’t work and the feeling that your home is in permanent chaos.

However, with proper planning and set expectations, home renovations can become a shared family project — one that’s surprisingly manageable and even memorable in hindsight.

From setting up temporary spaces to keeping daily life ticking along, these practical home renovation tips will help you stay comfortable and grounded while your reno is underway.

Preparing your home for renovation

Set realistic expectations from the start

Renovating a house takes planning, organisation and flexibility. Even the most carefully planned projects can run into delays or unexpected changes, so it helps to build a buffer into your timeline from the outset.

Whether you’re tackling small home repairs or full house renovations, accepting that things won’t always go exactly to plan makes the experience far less stressful. A flexible mindset gives both you and your builders room to adapt when needed.

Live-in vs move-out renovations: pros and cons

One of the first major decisions in a renovation is whether to stay at home or move out while work is underway. Both options have advantages — the right choice depends on your priorities.

Staying at home can save you money on rent and help you keep a closer eye on progress, but it also means living with dust, noise and reduced privacy. If you decide to renovate a home while living in it, the key is to plan ahead and be flexible.

Moving out removes the day-to-day disruption, though it comes with extra costs and the effort of setting up elsewhere.

Stay at home if:

• You’re OK with a bit of disruption: There’s no avoiding dust, noise and mess during renovations — if you’re OK with that, staying put could be the way to go.
• You want to stay hands-on: Staying on-site lets you keep a close eye on progress, ask questions and approve changes right away.
• It’s not a whole-house overhaul: If only a few rooms are being upgraded, carving out a comfortable space to retreat to while the work gets done is a better trade-off than the hassle of moving out.
• You want to save money: Staying put is the best way to avoid the added cost of temporary accommodation.

Move out if:

• You want minimal stress: Moving out lets you avoid the noise, mess and disruption while maintaining your usual routine.
• Your project requires the entire house to be vacated (e.g., for new flooring): Moving out will allow the builders to work efficiently and minimise delays.

Remember: Renovations — whether live-in or move-out — are a temporary situation. Your daily routine might look a little different for a while, but you’ll feel the uplift in your day-to-day life once the project is completed.

Renovation planning tips that make daily life easier

Once you’ve decided whether you’re staying or going, careful renovation planning will make the rest of the process much smoother.

Scope out and schedule early

Many builders recommend finalising as many decisions as possible before work begins, as mid-project changes are a major cause of delays and budget creep.

Outline your project several months ahead of the planned start date, where possible. This makes it easier to coordinate trades and plan around work, school and family commitments.

Communicate your renovation plans

Let your coworkers, extended family, schools, and neighbours know about changes in noise levels, street traffic, routine, and location (if moving out) so they’re on the same page.

Plan and organise temporary arrangements

Think ahead about how you’ll manage essential spaces such as:

• Bathrooms (often the highest priority)
• Kitchen and laundry access
• Sleeping arrangements

Planning substitutes in advance helps keep daily routines intact.

Book as much as you can in advance

Booking everything in advance takes several things off your to-do list throughout your renovations, and your future self will thank you. These include:

• Storage facilities (if you need a temporary place to put your belongings)
• Skip bins
• Portable bathrooms
• Interior designers
• Project managers and builders
• Temporary accommodation (if moving out)

Create backup plans

Don’t skip on backup plans for storage, accommodation (if applicable) and any work-related adjustments for people who work from home — remember, you need to stay flexible.

Ask for professional help when needed

Renovations can get complicated, especially if it’s not your area of expertise. That’s where experts — interior designers, project managers and builders — will save you time, stress and costly mistakes.

Preparing your home for renovation work

Dust and noise are inevitable, but here are some simple steps you can take to make life easier while renovating a house.

Declutter and pack up early

Clear out spaces being renovated. This can uncover plenty of unused belongings, which is a great opportunity to donate or sell what you don’t need. Remember to keep walkways clear for builders — the less clutter, the smoother (and faster) things will go.

Make alternative bathroom arrangements

If you have a second bathroom, great. If not, think about renting a portable bathroom so you don’t have to leave your home.

Create a ‘survival zone’

Set up a small area with your essentials — somewhere to rest, charge devices, make tea or heat meals. Labelling doors or items that shouldn’t be removed can also prevent accidental mix-ups.

Stay organised

Keep receipts, product samples, important paperwork and essentials in one place. This makes communication with contractors easier and avoids unnecessary delays.

Cover anything that needs dust protection

Dust is inevitable, but covering anything you want protected from it will make your life easier when the work wraps up.

Prep food to avoid overspending on takeaway

As tempting as it can be, ordering takeaway every night will add up — prepare some easy meals ahead of time to keep spending under control.

Record measurements in advance

Get your important measurements sorted in advance — you’ll thank yourself later. Plus, you can start the furniture, decor and appliance shopping before the renovation’s finished.

Take before photos

Don’t forget to take before photos! They help you track progress and can support resale value down the track.

Temporary setups that actually work

Living through a renovation can disrupt your usual routine, but it doesn’t have to be chaotic. Here are some temporary setups that ease the process.

• Folding furniture: Folding tables and chairs are ideal when space is tight — simply fold away when not in use.
• Portable bathrooms: For bathroom renovators, a hired portable bathroom is a convenient solution to keep your household running smoothly.
• Temporary work-from-home setups: Set up a quiet space where you can stay productive, even when the house feels in disarray.

Managing daily routines during renovations

Renovations affect everything from cooking habits to sleep schedules, but small adjustments help maintain a sense of normality.

• Designate a ‘no-reno’ zone: Choose one area of the house that stays untouched. Having a space to unwind at the end of the day makes a big difference.
• Get noise-cancelling headphones if you work from home: Invest in a good pair to block out construction noise and maintain focus. If you frequently take calls, think about move-out renovations or a shared workspace as proactive options.
• Make adjustments to your routine: It won’t be business as usual, so be flexible during your renovation.

Involving the whole family in the renovation process

Renovations can be a big change for families. Keeping everyone engaged by talking about and visualising the finished project makes your renovation feel less like a disruption and more like a hands-on team project.

Let family members help with packing, choosing finishes and fixtures, selecting décor or tidying up. Giving children small, low-pressure decisions helps them feel included and excited about the outcome.

Live through your renovation like a pro

Living through a renovation takes patience, planning and flexibility — but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With thoughtful renovation planning, realistic expectations and a focus on daily routines, living around a renovation becomes just another part of the journey.

Whether you’re renovating a house room by room or tackling a larger project, the disruption is temporary — and the long-term comfort and enjoyment of your updated home make it well worth the effort.