How to store furniture in Athens without heat damage
Athens summers are hard on wood, leather and fabric. Here is how to prepare, pack and size a unit so your furniture comes out the way it went in.
By SpitiBox team · · 2 min read
Key takeaways
- Heat and humidity swings, not time, are what damage stored furniture in Athens.
- Clean, dry, disassemble and wrap in breathable covers — never sealed plastic.
- A 10m² unit (€75/month) usually fits a one-bedroom apartment's furniture.
- Choose a climate-controlled, insured unit; SpitiBox includes both from €45/month.
Why Athens is hard on stored furniture
Greek summers bring long spells above 30°C and heatwaves that push past 40°C, as in the 2024 European heatwaves. Unventilated storerooms, rooftop rooms and garages get hotter than the street.
- Wood expands in heat and shrinks as it cools, which opens joints, cracks veneer and warps tabletops.
- Leather dries out and cracks without stable temperature and occasional conditioning.
- Fabric and mattresses pick up mildew when autumn humidity meets trapped warmth under plastic.
Prepare furniture before it goes into storage
- 1
Clean and dry everything
Wipe surfaces and let upholstery air for a day. Trapped moisture is the main cause of mould.
- 2
Disassemble
Take legs off tables, beds apart and shelves down. Bag and label screws and tape the bag to the piece.
- 3
Treat surfaces
Polish wood and condition leather so they are protected for the months ahead.
- 4
Wrap to breathe
Use moving blankets, cotton sheets or breathable covers. Avoid sealing anything in plastic.
- 5
Lift off the floor
Stand pieces on pallets or boards and leave a walkway so you can reach everything.
Which unit size fits your furniture
| Unit | Typically fits | Monthly price |
|---|---|---|
| Compact 5m² | Studio furniture or a few large pieces | €45 (€36 on a yearly plan) |
| Standard 10m² | One-bedroom apartment | €75 (€60 on a yearly plan) |
| Premium 20m² | 2–3 bedroom home | €130 (€104 on a yearly plan) |
Not sure? Tell us what you have and we will suggest the smallest unit that fits. See all unit sizes and prices.
Move-in day checklist
Before you close the door
- Heaviest items at the back, on pallets
- Fragile pieces on top, never underneath
- Mirrors and glass tops standing on edge, wrapped
- A clear aisle to the back of the unit
- Photos of each piece for your own records
Common questions
Does furniture really need climate control in Athens?
Yes, for anything wooden, leather or upholstered stored over a summer. Stable conditions stop the expand-and-shrink cycle that cracks wood and the humidity that causes mildew.
Should I wrap furniture in plastic wrap?
Only for a short move. For storage, plastic traps moisture; use blankets or breathable covers instead.
Is stored furniture insured?
Every SpitiBox unit includes €10,000 of protection insurance at no extra cost.
Sources
- 2024 European heatwaves, Wikipedia. Checked .
Keep your furniture safe this summer
Climate-controlled units from €45/month, €10,000 insurance included.
See units & prices