Home renovations can be exciting, but they often come with noise, dust, and disruption. Finding a comfortable place to stay during your home makeover will help you maintain your sanity while making sure the project runs smoothly. Below, we explore various temporary housing options and offer tips for living comfortably while your home undergoes its transformation.
Short-Term Rental Options for During a Renovation
Homeowners have several short-term rental options during renovations. These accommodations offer flexibility and comfort, helping you maintain a sense of normalcy during the upheaval of home improvements.
Extended Stay Hotels
Extended stay hotels are designed for longer visits and offer amenities that make them feel more like home. These hotels typically provide fully equipped kitchens, separate living areas, and on-site laundry facilities. Many also offer complimentary breakfasts and Wi-Fi, making them convenient and cost-effective.
Vacation Rentals
Vacation rentals can be an excellent choice for those looking for a home-like environment. Platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO offer a wide range of properties, from apartments to entire houses. These rentals often come fully furnished and equipped, so you can maintain your daily routines in a home setting.
Don’t Forget Your Pets: If you’re weighing temporary housing options, factor in your four-legged family members. Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List, offers a straightforward solution for anxious pets during renovation chaos: “Send him to a kennel. Or, even better, to stay with a trustworthy family member.” If neither is an option, look for pet-friendly vacation rentals or extended-stay hotels that welcome animals — your pet will thank you for the quiet refuge away from the noise and strangers.
Corporate Housing
Corporate housing is another option worth considering. These furnished apartments or homes are typically rented on a month-to-month basis and come equipped with all the essentials. While they’re often used by business travelers, they can be great for homeowners undergoing lengthy renovations.
Hotel Chains Ideal for Renovators
Several hotel chains cater specifically to extended stays. Their amenities and services make them particularly suitable for renovators.
Extended Stay America
Extended Stay America is a popular choice among serial renovators and has over 700 locations across the country. Many locations are pet-friendly. Their daily rate includes a fully equipped kitchen with a full-sized fridge, stovetop, microwave, and cookware. They also have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and on-site laundry facilities. Some locations offer complimentary breakfast and have on-site gyms and pools.
TOH Connection: Extended Stay America has a history with the This Old House team — the chain housed apprentices from the show’s Generation NEXT program throughout their summer work experience with the TOH crew, making it a trusted choice for those who need a comfortable home base during an extended building project.
Candlewood Suites
Candlewood Suites offers a range of amenities that make extended stays more comfortable. During your stay, you’ll have access to free laundry facilities as well as one full-service cleaning per week. The hotel also provides shared grilling areas with BBQ utensils and a 24/7 mini-mart for essentials.
Staybridge Suites
Staybridge Suites is known for its “the longer you stay, the less you pay” policy, which can be particularly beneficial for extended renovations. Their two-bedroom, two-bath unit offers space and comfort for families. Complimentary hot breakfasts, free wine, beer, and snacks during weekday evening socials, and on-site fitness rooms and laundry facilities make Staybridge Suites feel more like home.
Lesson from the Field: One homeowner who lived through a kitchen renovation learned the hard way that having a proper kitchen setup matters. As Regina Dowling, a This Old House project homeowner, put it: “Washing dishes in the bathtub kills your back. We packed away all but four plates and mugs, otherwise we would’ve had big piles of dirty dishes.” That’s exactly why suites with full kitchens — like those at Extended Stay America or Candlewood Suites — can make a renovation stint far more bearable.
Pro Tip: No matter where you stay, maintaining a good relationship with your contractor is key to surviving the wait. As one TOH project homeowner, Regina Dowling, advised: “If you like the workers, and you trust they’re doing a good job, it’s much easier to wait it out.” Staying nearby — rather than across town — makes it easier to check in on progress and keep that relationship strong.
Alternative Accommodations While Renovation
For those seeking options beyond traditional hotels, there are a few alternatives:
- Friends and family: Staying with friends or family is a money-saving solution for short-term renovations. The support and company of loved ones can also make this stressful period more manageable and pleasant.
- RV or camper living: For the adventurous renovator, living in an RV or camper can be an exciting option. This lets you stay close to your property and is best for those with outdoor space to park their temporary home.
Pro Tip: TOH TV host Kevin O’Connor shares this advice from his own renovation experience: “Living through a renovation is a bit like surviving in the wilderness: You take it one day at a time and you do what you have to do to get by.” Whether you’re crashing with family or camping in an RV on your own property, keeping that mindset can help you stay sane through the process.
Staying Put? Plan for Livability: If your renovation allows you to remain in part of the home, TOH readers Alan and Joni Horton of Yucaipa, California, proved it’s possible — even without a kitchen for nine months. Joni’s advice: create a daily routine (she’d start dinner before leaving for work using a small electric skillet), keep only a few dishes and utensils to minimize cleanup, and make time for fun. “We had friends over for dinner and to play cards numerous times,” Joni recalls. “Spending time with people we cared about helped us forget the awful chaos.”
Factors To Consider When Choosing Temporary Housing During Renovations
We recommend considering the following factors when selecting your temporary accommodation.
Budget and Duration
Your budget and the expected duration of your renovation are important considerations. Extended stay hotels often offer better rates for longer stays, while vacation rentals might be more cost-effective for shorter periods. Balance your accommodation costs with your renovation budget to find the best fit.
Pro Tip: TOH contractors are big believers in setting aside a healthy reserve fund — at least 15 to 20 percent of your total renovation budget for unforeseen costs once the work starts. That reserve should also account for your temporary housing expenses, since renovation timelines frequently run longer than expected. Building accommodation costs into your contingency fund helps ensure you’re not caught short if the project extends by a few weeks.
Proximity to Home
Staying close by lets you easily check on renovation progress and address any issues. Consider options within a reasonable distance to maintain oversight of your project without spending too much time commuting. Staying close also helps you maintain a connection with your neighborhood and routine.
Amenities and Services
Look for accommodations that offer the amenities you’re used to at home. This might mean a full kitchen, laundry facilities, or a workspace. Services such as housekeeping can also make your temporary stay more comfortable and stress-free. It’s best to find a choice with flexible check-in and check-out times to coordinate with your renovation schedule.
Returning Home: Transitioning Back After the Renovation
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the vacation. A TOH reader who lived through a full kitchen renovation shared this hard-won advice: “Looking back, I also would have made time to go on a vacation once the renovation was complete. I sure needed it!” Even a short getaway between the end of construction and move-back day can help you reset before settling into your new space.
As your renovation nears completion, prepare for the transition back to your newly improved home. We recommend scheduling a thorough cleaning before you move back in to remove any lingering dust or debris.
Take time to familiarize yourself with any new systems or features installed during the renovation. This transition period is also an excellent opportunity to organize and declutter, giving you a fresh start in your updated space.
Post-Renovation Cleaning, Step by Step: According to This Old House Magazine, the best approach is a three-phase process: First, wipe down surfaces—use a microfiber window washer on walls and ceilings to pick up as much dust as you can, and use a dry soft-bristle paintbrush for hard-to-clean spots like along base molding. Second, vacuum everywhere with a HEPA-filter vacuum fitted with a soft-bristle brush attachment over all surfaces. If you don’t have one, it’s worth renting a backpack model to avoid dragging it around and dinging new floors. Third, finish with water—wipe down every surface you can reach with a slightly damp reusable microfiber cloth, except for flat-finish walls and fabrics. If walls were recently painted, wait until the paint has cured (at least two weeks) before wiping with a damp cloth.
A Homeowner’s Perspective: One TOH homeowner who returned after months away captured the emotional weight of the transition perfectly: “Last night was our first night back to our home, sleeping on our very own bed.” The experience is a reminder that moving back is more than logistics—it’s a milestone worth savoring. As that same homeowner reflected, looking at the finished space: “We really did make it better.”
