Surviving a kitchen renovation is a daunting task. As an experienced renovator, I understand the challenges of a kitchen remodel. I’m here to share survival tips to help you navigate this journey.
You may think surviving a kitchen renovation is simple – set up a temporary kitchen and carry on. But reality tests your patience and organization. Prepare for kitchen remodel by creating a plan that considers budgeting, scheduling, materials, and contractors.
During a remodel, you’ll face obstacles like living without a functional kitchen, dealing with dust and noise. Don’t worry, I’ve got practical strategies for your comfort and sanity. Proper preparation is key to surviving renovation without losing your mind.
This comprehensive guide shares tried-and-true survival tips for kitchen renovations. From setting up an efficient temporary kitchen to managing stress and staying positive, you’ll find everything needed for this challenging yet rewarding experience. Buckle up and get ready to manage your renovation like a pro!
How to survive a kitchen remodel: 10 kitchen renovation survival tips
1. Set Up a Temporary Kitchen
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of setting up a temporary kitchen during a remodel. When my kitchen was under construction, I dedicated a corner of the dining room as my makeshift kitchen zone.
I had a small refrigerator, a microwave, a coffee maker, and plenty of paper plates and plastic utensils. This mini kitchen setup allowed me to still prepare basic meals and snacks without having to order takeout constantly. Having easy access to drinks, breakfast items, and simple lunches made surviving the renovation much more manageable.
2. Master Meal Prep and Stockpiling
Meal prepping and stockpiling food is a kitchen renovation survival must. Before the demolition began, I spent a weekend batch cooking and freezing tons of meals like casseroles, soups, and prepped ingredients.
I also hit the grocery store and stocked up on non-perishable pantry staples, protein bars, and snacks. With a stash of prepared foods and easy grab-and-go bites, I didn’t have to think about cooking full meals during the chaos.
3. Create a Renovation-Free Sanctuary
Create a living space sanctuary free from the construction dust and debris. For me, this meant keeping our bedroom off-limits to any work and regularly cleaning it to maintain a dust-free zone.
Having one room completely kitchen renovation-proofed gave me a tranquil space to escape the mess and noise. I recommend putting up plastic sheeting to separate your sanctuary from the construction area.
4. Stay Flexible and Patient
Stay flexible and patient – delays happen! I quickly learned that having an “it will be done when it’s done” attitude was crucial for my sanity.
Unavoidable hiccups like backlogged permits, material shortages, and change orders frequently popped up. By rolling with it instead of stressing, I was able to take each day of my kitchen overhaul in stride.
5. Keep Your Sense of Humor
Don’t lose your sense of humor during the kitchen renovation process! When my kitchen was stripped down to the studs, I couldn’t help but laugh at how my beautiful space had turned into a dusty construction pit.
Keeping a positive mindset and finding the humor in the situation made putting up with loud demolition days, having to wash dishes in the bathroom, and camping out in my makeshift kitchen much easier. A remodel upends your home life drastically, so maintaining your smile is mandatory!
6. Over-Communicate with Your Contractor
I made sure to over-communicate with my contractor every step of the way. Before the renovation kicked off, we had a detailed discussion about the project timeline, key milestones, and payment schedule.
Then during the kitchen remodel, I insisted on weekly meetings to go over progress and any issues that came up. Over Communicating helped me stay in the loop and allowed us to quickly resolve surprises like needing to reinforce floor joists or change out windows.
7. Use Downtime for Deep Cleaning
While my dream kitchen was under construction, I took full advantage of that kitchen renovation downtime.
Since most of the main living areas were overrun with construction dust and debris, I did a full-scale deep clean and decluttering purge of the rest of the house.
Going room-by-room really helped me organizationally reboot and create more breathing space during the chaos.
8. Prioritize Self-Care
Self-care is key when your home is turned upside down by a major kitchen overhaul. I made sure to schedule regular outings, plan date nights, and take renovation breaks to preserve my sanity.
Whether it was getting a massage, taking a yoga class, or meeting friends for dinner out, these little reprieves gave me a mental break from living in a construction zone.
9. Secure Your Home During Renovations
With workers constantly coming and going, I couldn’t emphasize enough about home security during a kitchen makeover. I invested in inexpensive security cameras to keep an eye on the job site when I wasn’t home.
I also designated an empty closet as a secure lockup for valuables, medications, and personal documents to keep them separated from the construction area. Making security a priority gave me peace of mind and prevented any potential issues.
10. Reduce Pet/Kid Stress with a Quiet Zone
If you have kids or pets, set up a safe, quiet space just for them during the loud renovation. For my two dogs, I sectioned off a cozy corner of the basement with baby gates, beds, toys and white noise.
Knowing they had a zen oasis away from the banging and hammering really helped reduce their stress (and mine!) from the upheaval. Having a child or fur-baby retreat helped the whole family stay a bit more sane.
How to Prepare Yourself for a Kitchen Remodel
A kitchen renovation can be an exciting yet daunting experience. I’ve been through it myself, and let me tell you, proper preparation is crucial for surviving the kitchen renovation process. From creating a game plan to bracing for disruptions, here’s how I ensured I was ready to tackle my kitchen overhaul:
• I started by doing extensive research and planning well in advance. This meant scouring magazines, websites, and home improvement stores for inspiration, developing a clear vision, and setting a realistic budget and timeline.
• Next, I purged my existing kitchen of any non-essentials. I donated old appliances, dishware, and food items I wouldn’t use before the kitchen remodel to create more space.
• To minimize chaos, I thoroughly decluttered the surrounding areas where I’d be prepping meals during construction. Having clutter-free zones made my temporary kitchen setup more functional.
• With a lengthy renovation looming, I stocked up on disposable essentials like paper plates, plastic utensils, and cups to reduce cleanup headaches.
• I also made sure to schedule my kitchen renovation during an optimal time frame, avoiding major holidays or life events when possible.
• Perhaps most importantly, I mentally prepared for the inevitable stresses of living through a messy demolition and noisy construction. I accepted there would be disruptions to my daily routine.
By taking the time to plan, organize, and mentally gear up, I was able to start my kitchen renovation feeling empowered and ready to embrace the challenges ahead.
Use this checklist to see if you’re truly prepared:
1) Have you decided on your design vision and set a reasonable budget?
2) Did you declutter and donate any non-essential kitchen items?
3) Have you created an organized temporary kitchen zone?
4) Did you stock up on disposable plates, utensils, and easy prep foods?
5) Have you mentally braced yourself for the inevitable chaos and noise?
6) Do you have a plan for keeping kids and/or pets safe and stress-free during construction?
7) Have you coordinated the renovation schedule to avoid major life events or holidays?
8) Did you set up a secure space for valuables that workers can’t access?
How to Set Up a Temporary Kitchen
When living through a major kitchen renovation, having a functional temporary kitchen is an absolute must. I learned this the hard way during my own kitchen remodel.
Without a makeshift kitchen zone, constant takeout gets old fast and basic meals become a major hassle.
Here’s how I set up my temporary kitchen to survive:
• I cleared out a corner of the dining room to create my temporary kitchen area. Any free space like a laundry room or basement can work too.
• I set up a mini-fridge, microwave, and toaster oven as my basic appliances for reheating and simple food prep.
• A folding table became my counter area for assembling sandwiches, plating snacks, and housing a coffee maker.
• I stocked up on disposable plates, utensils, and napkins to minimize cleanup needs during the kitchen renovation chaos.
• For food storage, I used a shelving unit to hold non-perishables and a cooler stocked with drinks, sandwich meats, and other fresh essentials.
• A portable induction cooktop burner allowed me to heat up soups and quick stove-top meals when needed.
• To stay organized, I kept takeout menus, restaurant info, paper towels, and snacks all centrally located in the temp kitchen zone.
Having this self-contained kitchen nook with grouped supplies made grabbing quick bites and storing basics so much easier during the remodeling upheaval.
FAQs
Q: How to feed my family during a kitchen remodel?
For me, meal prepping beforehand by batch cooking and freezing meals was crucial. I also set up a temporary kitchen zone with a microwave, mini-fridge, and cooler for simple meal prep. I stocked up on pantry snacks, disposable dishes, and considered meal delivery services to minimize cooking needs.
Q: How to minimize dust and debris during construction?
I had contractors put up plastic sheeting barriers to contain dust. I ran an air purifier in nearby rooms. I frequently cleaned any surrounding areas with a vacuum and damp clothes. I designated one room as a dust-free zone by keeping it sealed off.
Q: What renovation survival items should I stock up on?
For me, having paper towels, antibacterial wipes, disposable plates/utensils, bottled water, easy snacks, storage bins for loose items, and dust masks were must-haves. I also stocked up on any personal care and medication refills to avoid disruptions.
Q: How to stay organized during a chaotic renovation?
I created a designated file for all contracts, receipts, specs, and schedules. I used labeled bins to corral any loose kitchen items. I took photos to document progress. I communicated frequently with my contractor to ensure everyone was aligned.
Q: How to survive without a kitchen during renovation?
To survive without a kitchen, I set up a temporary kitchen zone with a mini-fridge, microwave, and induction burner. I stocked up on disposable dishes, prepped freezer meals, and embraced easy no-cook meal options like sandwiches and salads. I also utilized restaurant delivery services during the renovation.
