Storing Your Belongings During a Temporary Move
Published: 30 September 2026 • 4 min readStorage during a temporary move lets people who will be living in a different home, city or country for a few weeks or months keep their belongings safe. Whether you're relocating temporarily for a work assignment, studies, a short-term rental, a home renovation, the handover of a new home, a change of city or personal reasons, one of the biggest questions is where and how to keep the belongings you won't be using in the meantime.
You might be asking yourself, "If I'm only moving temporarily, do I really have to take all my belongings with me?" For a short-term move, it's often unnecessary to take all your furniture and household goods to the new address. Especially if you'll be returning to your old city or moving into a permanent home in a few months, moving bulky furniture can increase both your moving costs and the hassle of settling in. A well-planned temporary storage arrangement doesn't just keep your belongings in a safe place; it can make your move lighter, more organized and more affordable.
In this guide, we walk you step by step through which belongings can be stored during a temporary move, how to plan your storage period, when storage makes more sense and how to keep your moving costs under control.
What Is a Temporary Move?
A temporary move means relocating to another address for a set period without completely ending your current living arrangements. This period can range from a few weeks to a few months.
For example, a temporary work assignment in another city, a study program lasting a few months, a home renovation, waiting for a new home to be handed over, a short-term assignment abroad, a seasonal move, living in a temporary rental, or looking for a new home after selling your house can all be considered temporary moves. The key difference from a permanent move is that the new address usually isn't a long-term home. That's why moving all your belongings to the new address doesn't always make sense.
What Do You Do with Your Belongings When Moving Temporarily?
Before a temporary move, the most important decision is which belongings really need to come with you. There are generally four main options.
Taking Everything with You
At first glance, this may seem like the easiest solution. But if your temporary home is smaller, there may not be enough room for bulky furniture. And since you'll be moving again in a few months, the same belongings will have to be moved a second time.
Leaving Your Belongings with Family or Friends
This can work for a few boxes or small items. But when it comes to bulky furniture, large appliances and lots of boxes, it gets hard to find enough room in someone else's home.
Using a Garage or Basement
If you have a dry, secure and controlled space, it can work for some durable items. But moisture, damp, dust and security conditions must always be taken into account.
Using a Temporary Storage Service
Your belongings can be kept in a professional household storage facility for the agreed period. That way, only the belongings you'll actually use are moved to your temporary address. This is the most sensible approach, and the one many people choose.
Fewer Belongings, an Easier Transition
When Does Storage Make Sense During a Temporary Move?
Storage isn't always necessary during a temporary move, but in some scenarios it makes things much easier. If you'll be working temporarily in another city, storage makes sense. If you're moving to another city for a three-month, six-month or fixed-term work assignment, taking all your furniture with you may be unnecessary. You can rent a furnished home and move with just your personal belongings, while keeping your existing furniture in temporary storage.
If you're going abroad temporarily, you can leave your belongings in a professional rental storage unit. For short- or medium-term assignments abroad, shipping all your household goods to another country can be expensive. Especially if your return date is set, storing your furniture and household goods can be more practical.
If your new home isn't ready yet but you have to move out of your current one, temporary storage is a good option for your belongings. In this case, keeping them in storage rather than moving them into temporary accommodation can be a more controlled solution.
The Golden Rule of Temporary Moves: Choose Your Belongings Based on Time
In a permanent move, the goal is to take everything to your new home. A temporary move calls for a different mindset. For example, if you'll be living in another city for three months, you should figure out what you really need for those three months. This approach significantly reduces the volume you have to move. You can group your belongings as follows.
1. Everyday Items
This group includes the everyday clothes, computer, personal care products, important documents, medications and basic kitchenware you need to have with you.
2. Large Items for Storage
Sofas, dining tables, beds, bookcases, large appliances and decorative furniture you won't use at your temporary address can go into storage.
3. Seasonal Items
You don't have to take all your summer or winter items with you. For items you won't use in the current season, you can opt for seasonal storage.
4. Items You Still Need to Decide On
A temporary move is a great opportunity to rethink excess belongings. But instead of making quick decisions and throwing things away or selling them, you can store the items you're unsure about for a while.
How Can Storage Save You Money During a Temporary Move?
Overall, a storage service can reduce your total moving budget. Let's say you're moving to another city for six months.
If you take everything with you, you'll need a large moving truck and may have to rent a bigger home in the new city. Your furniture will also have to be disassembled and reassembled, and you'll need a second big move when you return.
If, on the other hand, you store your large items and move with just your personal belongings, you can live in a smaller home, pay lower rent, move fewer things, make the move easier and reuse your own furniture when you return.
What Should You Do If Your Return Date Isn't Fixed?
Dates can change during a temporary move. A work project may run longer. The handover of a new home may be delayed. A renovation may take longer than planned. A study or work period may be extended. That's why, when choosing a storage facility, you need to consider not only the start date but also the move-out terms. Be sure to ask: "Can I extend my storage period if needed?" A flexible contract is a major advantage, especially for temporary moves with no fixed end date. With Troy Depo, you can store your belongings for the short or long term, for exactly as long as you need.
How Much Storage Space Do You Need for a Temporary Move?
The storage space you need depends more on the volume of the belongings you're storing than on the size of your home. For example, if you're only storing large furniture, a much smaller space may be enough than if you were storing the entire contents of your home. When calculating the unit size, consider the number of large furniture pieces and large appliances, the number of boxes, whether the furniture can be disassembled, the amount of seasonal items and the textiles you'll be storing. Calculate the volume of your belongings, not the number of rooms.
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