How to Renovate Without Moving Out

Thinking about giving your home a fresh look but worried about whether to move out or live through a renovation? You’re not alone—many Perth homeowners are choosing to renovate without moving out, saving big on temporary accommodation costs and keeping a close eye on progress. Living through a renovation has its challenges, but with some planning and flexibility, you can stay comfortable and avoid extra expenses.

As someone who’s navigated the dust and disruption of a full-scale renovation, I know firsthand that staying home is possible, even if it means adapting to a bit of a construction zone. Whether you’re tackling a minor update or a major overhaul, staying put can save you thousands and let you address any issues as they come up.

In this guide, I’ll share practical tips and strategies I picked up along the way to help you keep your life on track while your home transforms around you. From setting up safe, liveable spaces to managing the day-to-day disruptions, you’ll find everything you need to renovate like a pro and make your renovation journey as smooth as possible. Ready to dive in? Let’s explore how you can successfully renovate without moving out.

Can You Live In Your House During a Renovation?

A question I hear all the time is, “Can I stay in my home during a renovation?” The answer depends entirely on the size and scope of your project. For minor updates or single-room makeovers, staying put can work just fine. However, if you’re facing major construction or a whole-home renovation, living in the space may not be the easiest option. A good rule of thumb: if the renovation covers more than half your home, it’s probably time to look at temporary accommodation options.

Speaking from experience, I can say that it is possible to renovate an entire home—stripped down to the frame—without moving out. I went through it myself, and while it saved me a lot in accommodation costs, it was no walk in the park. Dust, noise, and endless disruptions became part of daily life, and it took some serious flexibility and patience to make it work. Honestly, it’s not for everyone and might not be the smartest option if you value comfort or have a family.

Access to essential areas is also a big factor. If your kitchen or bathroom will be out of action for more than a few days, you’ll need alternative living arrangements. Some renovations simply aren’t safe to live through, like major roof repairs, asbestos or mould removal, or floor refinishing, which often require you to move out due to health risks or limited access.

Ultimately, it’s about balancing comfort, safety, and convenience. If you decide to stay, there are strategies to help you manage the challenges. Let’s dive into some practical tips on how to renovate without moving out, so you can stay comfortable and keep your project on track.

Set a renovation schedule and work in stages

The first step of ‘how to renovate without moving out’ is to make a renovation plan. Obviously, you cannot live in a home gutted head to toe all at once. You need to work in stages, so you have at least space to lay a mattress and set up a camp kitchen. This may be your garage or the last room in your home that you renovate.

The key here is to plan the renovation so you work with it and that your presence doesn’t delay the renovation or cost you extra.

For example, you don’t want to completely close off one bedroom, renovate the remainder of your home and then come back to the bedroom. You will have to pay more in additional delivery fees and have tradies come back after the rest of the work is completed, which will cost you more and extend the completion date. Continue reading ‘Be prepared to move camp at the drop of a hat’ to find out how to deal with such a situation.

Clear Out Clutter and Fragile Items

Before diving into packing, take some time to clear out any clutter and safely store fragile items. Renovations can be chaotic, and the fewer items you have in the way, the easier it will be to navigate around the space. Start by identifying items that aren’t essential to daily life, like decorations, extra furniture, and anything you don’t use regularly. Pack these away in boxes and move them to a safe area, like a garage or storage room, to keep them out of harm’s way.

For fragile items—think glassware, framed photos, and delicate décor—it’s best to wrap and store them securely. Renovation work often creates vibrations and dust, both of which can easily damage delicate items if left exposed. Taking this initial step not only protects your belongings but also clears up valuable space, making it easier to set up a temporary, functional living area during the renovation.

Pack Everything as Though You’re Moving Out

To renovate without moving out, you have to pack as though you ARE moving out. Pack absolutely everything; I mean everything! I literally have one plate, one knife, one fork, no bowls and four coffee mugs: one for me and three for tradies. I have no chairs, no tables, just a mattress on the floor (not even a bed), two sets of sheets, a TV, and a handful of clothes.

You quickly learn to live with very little. It’s quite liberating.

The one thing I will say is to be prepared for seasonal changes. I wasn’t so smart in this respect. I started my renovation in March, when the weather was warm and sunny, forgetting I had autumn and winter to get through… I did say I had no walls or ceilings, right? There were some freezing nights. Renovations don’t happen overnight. It’s now September, and I’m still sleeping on the floor on a mattress!

Think ahead and prepare yourself—be sure to have blankets and winter clothes at hand for winter, shorts and singles for summer, etc.

Wear Protective Footwear

When you’re living on-site during a home renovation, safety is key, and that includes wearing the right footwear. Renovation sites are full of hazards—loose nails, splinters, heavy tools—that can easily lead to injury if you’re not careful. Speaking from experience, I learned this lesson the hard way. I managed to break my toe before the renovation even started from just kicking my packed boxes! Needless to say, a broken toe made renovating more difficult. After that, I made sure to invest in a solid pair of steel-cap boots.

If you’re planning to renovate without moving out, consider grabbing a pair of steel-cap boots yourself. Kmart has options for men and women for around $60 to $90 that can make a world of difference in protecting your feet. Whether you’re popping in and out of construction areas or simply moving things around, protective footwear can save you from a lot of painful (and avoidable) accidents. Keep your feet safe so you can focus on bringing your renovation vision to life without unnecessary setbacks.

Pretend That You’re Going On an Extended Camping Trip

To succeed in renovating without moving, tell yourself you’re going camping—even if you’ve never camped before in your life, as was my case.  You will be void of all standard comforts and will have only essential items at hand; essentially, you should only have the equipment you would have if you were going camping.

Your kitchen becomes a camp kitchen; mine was even more basic. I have a bar fridge, bar freezer, microwave, air fryer, rice cooker, toaster, and kettle. And I’ve blown more than a couple of power points! (another thing to be mindful of!!)

You quickly learn to adapt to your new kitchen and your new microwave diet, which for me involves a tonne of frozen vegetables, salad, and tofu. Being Vegan actually plays in my favour!

Be Prepared to Move Camp at the Drop of a Hat

Living in a renovation is one big game of musical chairs. You can’t expect to stay set up in one area for too long. As soon as one area has been stripped, move into it so the room you were in can then be stripped. As soon as one area has been sheeted, move into this area so your previous area can be sheeted. The same applies to every stage of the renovation: tiling, painting, cabinetry, etc.

You can never get too comfortable in one spot because you’re constantly moving. And renovations don’t always go to schedule. You may find that the roof needs extra structural support, and your mattress is where the builder needs to put his ladder. This is why you need to pack light to ensure you can move in a matter of minutes—remember, time is money with a renovation.

Balancing Personal Space and Privacy During Renovation

Privacy will be in short supply when you’re trying to do a home renovation without moving out, but a little planning can help you carve out moments of personal space. Start by coordinating work times with your contractors. Discuss their daily schedule and establish clear start and end times to avoid surprises and give yourself some breathing room. If you have kids or pets, set boundaries to keep them out of active work zones during busier hours.

That said, to renovate without moving out, you’ll also have to accept that complete privacy is off the table. From 7 a.m. onward, builders and tradies will be in and out, working in spaces you’re still using. Your bedroom, belongings, and routines will be visible to them, and you’re essentially sharing your home.

The key here is to take a deep breath and go with the flow. Balancing flexibility with a bit of planning can make the process easier, and the more relaxed you are, the smoother it will go as your home transforms.

Keep Kids and Pets Safe

When you choose to renovate your home without moving out, ensuring the safety of kids and pets becomes a top priority. Living on-site while renovating means there will be hazards—tools, dust, noise, and open areas—that aren’t suitable for little ones or curious pets. To keep everyone safe, designate clear boundaries around active work zones and communicate these with all family members.

Speaking from experience, I can tell you it’s no small feat keeping pets safe during a renovation! When I went through a full-scale reno with my two dogs, we set up a “safe zone” in the furthest room from the work area. Still, they’d wander over to investigate every loud noise or new smell. Temporary gates and barriers became lifesavers, and on the noisiest days, we’d go for extra-long walks or visit family so they could have some peace and quiet.

If you have kids or pets, try creating a designated “safe zone” away from construction. Use gates or barriers to block off dangerous areas, and plan outings during high-impact workdays to keep them occupied and out of harm’s way. With some planning, you can provide a secure, stress-free environment for your family while bringing your home transformation to life.

Expect—and Manage—Dust When Living On-Site

To renovate without moving out, you’ll have to make peace with dust—lots of it. Dust will settle on everything: floors, furniture, bedding, and even the air you breathe. Living in a constant construction zone means traditional cleaning goes out the window; five minutes after wiping surfaces, the dust will settle again, and you’re back to square one.

While you can’t avoid dust entirely, a few steps can help manage it so it doesn’t completely overwhelm your living area. Start by setting up temporary plastic barriers around construction zones to keep the worst of the dust contained. Cover furniture and any remaining items with dust sheets to prevent buildup, and vacuum as regularly as you can without stressing over perfection. If possible, use an air purifier to capture finer particles and open windows to let in fresh air when it’s safe.

Be prepared to wash bedding and clothes more often—having a laundromat or helpful family member nearby can be a lifesaver. Embrace the dust as part of the process, but these simple strategies can make living on-site during renovations just a bit more comfortable.

Conclusion

Living in your home during a renovation is a smart way to save money, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Based on experience, successfully renovating without moving out requires patience, careful planning, and a willingness to adapt to a few lifestyle changes along the way.

If you decide to take on this challenge, preparation is key: plan to renovate in stages, pare down to essentials, think of it as an extended camping adventure, and embrace the temporary loss of privacy and dust. With the right mindset and approach, you can pull it off without going crazy—and save thousands in relocation costs.

At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we’re here to make your renovation journey smoother by providing high-quality, affordable renovation products. Whether you’re planning a kitchen overhaul or a bathroom refresh, our products offer the best value to help you achieve your dream home without breaking the bank. And for more inspiration and guidance, check out our article on why you should renovate rather than relocate to explore even more cost-effective options for your space. Shop online or visit us at 57 James Street in Guildford, where every day is a discount day!