Storing Furniture During a Move or Renovation in Portugal: Complete Guide

Moving house or renovating in Portugal is stressful enough without worrying about where to put your furniture. One day the living room is full; the next, you need it emptied for contractors or to hand over the keys. The question is always the same: where do you store everything while the new place is not ready or the renovation drags on?

In Portugal, where most apartments in Lisbon and Porto range between 50 m2 and 80 m2, there is no spare room to stack furniture. Family garages fill up quickly. And leaving furniture in a building's storage room without proper conditions risks damage from humidity or construction dust.

Temporary furniture storage solves this problem. It means keeping your furniture in a secure warehouse for the duration of the move or renovation, with the guarantee that everything comes back in good condition. With door-to-door services like Box2Box, you do not even need to rent a van or carry anything: the team picks up at your home, stores in facilities with 24/7 surveillance, and delivers back when you request it.

Timeline: 5 Steps to Store Furniture During a Move

Step 1 — Two weeks before: inventory and decide

Walk through every room and divide your furniture into three groups:

• Goes to the new home directly: essential everyday furniture
• Goes to storage: furniture that will not fit during the renovation or that you only need later
• Donate or discard: old, damaged, or unused pieces

Make a list with approximate dimensions of the items going to storage. This lets you calculate the space needed in square metres and get a realistic quote.

Step 2 — One week before: book the service and prepare

Book the storage service at least 5 to 7 days in advance — especially between May and September, which is peak moving season in Portugal.

Prepare the furniture:

• Empty wardrobes, dressers and drawer units
• Disassemble beds, extendable tables and modular shelving
• Store screws and hardware in labelled bags and tape them to the corresponding piece
• Protect glass surfaces and mirrors with cardboard and tape

See how Box2Box works →

Step 3 — Pickup day: execution

On the scheduled day, the team arrives at your home with protective materials: blankets, stretch film, cardboard and straps. The process typically takes between 1 and 3 hours, depending on volume.

Tips for the day:

• Keep a clear path to the front door
• Unplug and defrost the fridge and freezer 24 hours beforehand
• Be present to indicate priorities and confirm the inventory

Step 4 — During the renovation or move: everything stored

Your furniture stays in a warehouse with humidity control, surveillance and insurance included. Through the app or website, you can check the photographic inventory of each item and request partial deliveries — for example, if you need the sofa before the rest.

Step 5 — Delivery day: furniture back home

When the house is ready, schedule the delivery 24 to 48 hours in advance. The team delivers to the address you specify — it can be the same one or a different one. Check the condition of each piece upon delivery.

What to Store: Categories and Preparation

How Much Does It Cost to Store Furniture: Box2Box vs Traditional Alternatives

The cost depends on volume. Below is a realistic comparison between Box2Box (door-to-door service) and traditional self-storage alternatives in Portugal such as Bluespace, mspace.pt, Control Space Storage or Perfect Space.

Pricing note: First month at -50% on the monthly plan (minimum stay 3 months). Free pickup for 1 to 3 m2 spaces. Prices subject to change. For traditional self-storage, add van rental (40-100 EUR) and packing materials (20-50 EUR).

The price difference is most significant in Lisbon and Porto, where traditional alternatives are located in industrial zones outside the city — meaning extra travel time and transport costs. With Box2Box, pickup and delivery happen at your doorstep with no hidden fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to store furniture in Portugal?

With Box2Box, prices start at 39 EUR/month for 1 m2, with the first month at half price (19.50 EUR). For 3 m2, which fits a living room and a bedroom, the price is 72 EUR/month. At a traditional self-storage facility like Bluespace or mspace.pt, the same space can cost between 110 EUR and 170 EUR/month, excluding transport and packing.

Can I store furniture during a renovation?

Yes, and it is one of the most common reasons to use temporary storage. In Portugal, renovations in older buildings — especially in Lisbon's historic centre (Alfama, Graca, Baixa) and Porto (Cedofeita, Bonfim) — can take between 2 and 6 months. Door-to-door storage lets you clear the house before works begin and receive everything back when they are finished.

How much space do I need to store an apartment's furniture?

For a typical 1-bedroom apartment in Lisbon or Porto, 3 to 5 m2 is usually enough. If you are storing only one room or part of the furniture, 1 to 2 m2 may suffice. The Box2Box team helps estimate the space needed based on your furniture list.

Is my furniture safe during storage?

Yes. Box2Box warehouses have 24/7 surveillance, access control and included insurance. Every item is photographed and registered in a digital inventory you can check at any time. Unlike a building basement or a family garage, temperature and humidity conditions are controlled.

Can I request delivery of only some items?

Yes. You can request partial deliveries — for example, getting just the sofa and dining table while the rest stays in storage. Delivery is made within 24 to 48 hours to the address you specify.

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Ana Oliveira

Freelance journalist covering household economics and home services in Portugal.