How to Survive a Kitchen Renovation

A kitchen renovation is one of the most rewarding home improvement projects but can also be incredibly disruptive. Without access to your kitchen, your daily routine can be thrown off, making it challenging to cook, clean, and maintain your usual lifestyle.

This guide will walk you through how to survive a kitchen renovation by planning ahead, setting up temporary solutions, and minimizing stress. By implementing these strategies, you can maintain some normalcy in your household while navigating the renovation process.

Whether your renovation is a small facelift or a full remodel, these tips will help you easily get through the project so you can enjoy your dream kitchen when it’s all done.

Pre-Renovation Planning

Set a Realistic Timeline

Before the renovation begins, collaborate with your contractor to establish a realistic timeline for the project. Understand that delays can occur due to unforeseen circumstances, so plan for some flexibility. Having a buffer in your schedule will help alleviate stress and prevent rushed decisions down the line.

Create a Budget with Cushion

While sticking to your renovation budget is crucial, including a financial cushion for unexpected expenses is also wise. Costs can escalate due to unanticipated issues such as plumbing problems or material shortages. Providing a safety net in your budget will enable you to manage these challenges without compromising the quality of your renovation.

Make Decisions Early

To avoid unnecessary delays, ensure that all materials, including cabinets, countertops, and appliances, are ordered well in advance. Delays in material delivery can hinder progress, prolonging the renovation and further disrupting your daily routine. By making decisions early, you streamline the process and maintain momentum.

Communicate with Your Contractor

Establishing open lines of communication with your contractor is essential. Regular updates on progress and any potential setbacks will keep you informed and involved in the renovation process. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and ensure everything runs smoothly, allowing you to manage expectations and adjust plans as needed.

How to Survive a Kitchen Renovation: Set Up a Temporary Kitchen

Choose a Location

Designate a temporary kitchen in another room, such as the dining room, basement, or even the garage. To simplify meal preparation and cleanup, select a space with access to electricity and, if possible, water.

Look for an area with ample counter space or use portable tables to create food prep stations. This space will serve as your culinary hub during the renovation, so ensure it’s comfortable and functional.

Essential Appliances to Set Up

Microwave: A microwave is a lifesaver for reheating meals and quickly preparing simple dishes. It allows you to maintain some normalcy with easy meal options.

Toaster Oven: A toaster oven can replace your conventional oven for small meals like baking or roasting, offering versatility without taking up much space.

Hot Plate or Portable Stove: If you still prefer cooking, a hot plate or portable induction stove can serve as a stand-in for your regular stove, allowing you to fry or boil as needed.

Slow Cooker or Instant Pot: These appliances are perfect for making one-pot meals without requiring a full kitchen. They minimize clean-up and can cook a variety of dishes.

Mini Fridge: Should your refrigerator be unavailable during the renovation, a mini fridge can store essentials like milk, eggs, and vegetables, ensuring freshness without sacrificing space.

Organize Cooking Utensils and Ingredients

Keep only essential items—pots, pans, utensils, and spices—in your temporary kitchen to stay organized and prevent clutter. Create a system to find items easily, perhaps using labeled bins or drawers, which will help streamline meal prep.

Disposable or Reusable Plates and Utensils

To minimize dishwashing, consider using disposable plates and utensils. If you prefer using reusable items, plan an efficient dishwashing strategy, like washing and storing them in a bathroom sink or a portable dishtub.

Water Access

If your kitchen sink is out of commission, organize alternative water access. A nearby bathroom sink can suffice for basic needs, or you can conveniently keep a large water jug on hand. Investing in a portable sink might be beneficial for an even more seamless setup, providing independence and ease in your temporary kitchen.

Setting up a well-equipped temporary kitchen can cushion the disruption of a renovation, helping maintain comfortable daily routines. The transition can be smooth with thoughtful planning and organization, offering an opportunity to explore new recipes and cooking methods.

Plan Easy Meals

Simple Recipes

During a kitchen renovation, focus on easy, no-fuss meals. Think about dishes that don’t require a lot of prep or cooking, such as sandwiches, salads, and one-pot meals in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. These options allow you to maintain a balanced diet without needing full kitchen capabilities.

Batch Cooking

Prepare larger batches of meals in advance so you have easy-to-reheat leftovers. Soups, stews, casseroles, and pasta dishes are great options for several days. Batch cooking saves time and provides comforting and nutritious meals when cooking from scratch isn’t feasible.

Use Pre-Packaged or Frozen Meals

Stock up on pre-packaged or frozen meals to save time and effort. While relying on these every day might not be ideal, they can be lifesavers on particularly hectic days. Choose options with wholesome ingredients to ensure you’re still eating healthily.

Take Advantage of Outdoor Grilling

If the weather permits, grilling can be a fantastic way to prepare meals during your renovation. Grill meats, vegetables, and even pizzas outdoors to avoid kitchen chaos. This not only offers variety but also keeps cooking fun and exciting.

Order Takeout or Meal Delivery

Don’t hesitate to treat yourself to takeout or meal delivery during the renovation. This can help alleviate stress and simplify things, especially on particularly busy days. Make the most of local cuisines and explore new eateries while your kitchen is under construction.

Create a Cleaning Plan

Contain Dust and Debris

Renovations create a lot of dust, so take steps to contain it. Ask your contractor to set up plastic sheeting to seal off the kitchen area. You can also lay down floor coverings to protect other rooms from dirt and debris being tracked through the house.

This will help minimize the spread of dust and make post-renovation cleaning more manageable. Additionally, close the vents in your current kitchen to prevent dust from circulating through the HVAC system, which can be challenging to clean.

Daily Cleanups

Renovation projects can get messy, so plan for daily cleanups. Even if you don’t have access to your full kitchen, make it a habit to clear away any food prep mess or clutter from your temporary kitchen space to avoid frustration. Spend a few minutes each day tidying up to maintain a sense of order and normalcy. Wipe down surfaces regularly and organize your temporary kitchen to make it a more pleasant place to prepare meals.

Portable Dishwashing Station

If your dishwasher is out of commission, set up a dishwashing station with a large tub or bin for washing and rinsing dishes in another sink, like the bathroom or laundry room. Alternatively, you can set up a plastic wash basin and use a portable faucet for a DIY solution. This can be a practical and functional way to handle dishwashing duties while ensuring that your temporary kitchen remains as clean and efficient as possible.

Keep Your Sanity: Minimizing Stress

Take Breaks

Renovations can be incredibly stressful, so it’s important to give yourself permission to take breaks. Consider scheduling a weekend getaway or spending time outside of the house to recharge. This break from the chaos will help maintain your mental well-being.

Expect Delays

Understand that delays are a common part of the renovation process, whether due to unforeseen issues or late shipments and mentally prepare yourself for things to take longer than expected. Patience can be your greatest ally during this time.

Stay Flexible

Try to stay flexible and go with the flow. Frustration is inevitable, but maintaining a positive mindset will make the renovation process smoother. Embrace unexpected changes as opportunities to adapt and grow.

Declutter and Simplify

Use this renovation period as an opportunity to declutter your kitchen items. Before packing away everything, decide which items you really need, and consider donating or discarding those you no longer use. Simplifying your space can lead to a more organized and stress-free environment post-renovation.

Conclusion

After weeks or months of living without a proper kitchen, the big reveal will make it all worth it. Take time to enjoy your brand-new space and appreciate the effort it took to get there. Once your renovation is complete, slowly move back into your kitchen.

Reorganize with a clean slate and only keep items you truly need. This is a great opportunity to create a more functional, clutter-free kitchen. Celebrate the completion of your renovation with a family meal or small gathering in your newly renovated kitchen.

You’ve made it through the toughest part, and now it’s time to enjoy the results! This journey has shown you how to survive a kitchen renovation, and with your newly gained insights, your cooking experience will be refreshing and exciting in your transformed space.