4 Things You Should Always Remove Before a Home Renovation, Home Experts Say
Out with the old and in with the new.
- A home renovation is the perfect time to declutter.
- Dan DiClerico, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, shared the top items to get rid of prior to a home project.
- Hazardous materials and old furniture should be the first to go.
You’ve done your research, contacted an interior designer, and hired contractors to help you execute the home renovation of your dreams. But now that your plan is finally coming to fruition, there are some small things still remaining that you should take care of before all of the work begins—like clearing out items that will be in the way.
“If you’re doing a whole-house gut renovation, you’ll of course need to clear everything out, but if you’re just tackling one room, or even one floor of the home, it’s a good chance to declutter,” Dan DiClerico, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab says. He detailed the top items you should remove from your space prior to a home renovation. And once you have your space clear and clutter-free, you’ll be ready to get your project started.
Old furniture
Part of the reason you’re renovating in the first place may be to give your space a new look. Getting rid of your old furniture can be part of that. “A remodel is a great opportunity to get rid of old furniture that won’t work with the new space,” DiClerico says. He also suggests making sure there’s room in your renovation for new furnishings as well.
Hazardous materials
“Things like old paint and leftover cans of gasoline become even more serious fire hazards during a renovation, so dispose of them at a safe location, like your town’s dedicated drop-off site,” DiClerico says.
Valuables
While we’re not suggesting to get rid of your valuables, DiClerico says you may need to move them during a renovation. “There are a lot of people coming and going during a renovation,” he says. “Plus it can be harder to keep the house secure when you're away, so it’s a good idea to store any valuables, like jewelry, silver, and artwork, at a separate location until the project is complete.”
Clutter
Decluttering is always a good idea. And even more so when you are trying to revamp your space. “Take this time to clear out as much clutter as possible, including old papers, clothing that you haven’t worn in years, and kitchen supplies that are collecting dust in cabinets,” DiClerico says. “When the project is over, you want to be able to start fresh with as much storage space as possible.”
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
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