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How to Survive a Kitchen Renovation

At last – the plan is in place and the construction is about to begin on your dream kitchen. Now there’s a new challenge to face: how are you going to survive without a kitchen for the several weeks or months the project will take? Most people can’t afford to rely on restaurants and take out (and if we did we’d pay the price with our our waistlines as well as our wallets).

There’s no denying it’s going to be inconvenient, but with these tips you can get through it with your sanity intact.

The important thing to remember is that no matter how simple or extensive your kitchen renovation is going to be, assume your kitchen will be off limits for the duration. This will give the contractors the space they need to do their job. Plus, a work area can also be a safety issue for you and your family.

1. Set up a Mini Kitchen

Find an area with electrical access and set up the bare essentials like your coffeemaker and microwave. Your temporary kitchen can be as simple as an old table and some shelves to store a few dishes, plus an area to manage garbage and recyclables. Just make sure it’s out of the way of the construction zone.

Bar fridges can be bought cheaply second hand, or rented if you need to have dairy or other perishables. You can also make things civilised with a seating area and some chairs. Keep your sanity intact by telling yourself that you’re reliving your university days.

2. Plan for the Bare Essentials

You will probably need to pack and store most of your dishes, ingredients and appliances to get them out of the way of the workers. You’re going to need to decide what gets stored and what you can’t live without. Try to pare things down to a coffeemaker, a microwave, a cutting board and knife, and a set of dishes for each family member. Depending on your habits, a toaster oven, slow cooker or hot plate might be good options.

3. Cook and Freeze Meals in Advance

In the months leading up to the reno, spend some time creating meals that can be frozen and stored in your deep freeze. Treat yourself to stews, chilis, curries and other favourites that freeze well and that will comfort you when you’re thinking about the disaster area that is your kitchen.

The key here is to break it up into single meal portions that are easier to thaw, reheat and clean up. This tactic will also get you more meal variety on a day to day basis. For example, a giant lasagna pan is difficult to manage if you’re taking a week to finish it, and even lasagna’s cheesy goodness can get tiresome.

4. Rely on Nonperishables

Stock up on items that don’t need to be refrigerated as much as you can. Healthy options include nuts, seeds and fresh and dried fruits.

5. Reduce Washing Up

While it’s technically possible to wash dishes in the bathroom, for many of us there is a huge yuck factor in this collision of worlds. Disposable dishes will make things easier, just ensure you buy disposables that are recyclable or compostable. In summer months you can wash dishes outside using your garden hose (just remember cold water can make soap harder to rinse away).

On the bright side, if you end up washing dishes in the bathroom, it will probably make sure your bathroom stays as clean as possible.

6. Grill It

Your barbecue can make your life a lot easier, weather permitting. For winter remodels, a determined outdoor chef can rig a tarp overhead to keep the snow away. Have fun and explore the incredible variety of barbecue recipes out there. It’s even possible to do your Christmas turkey on the grill with the right equipment.

Don’t barbecue in your garage, however – the fumes are dangerous in confined spaces.

7. Escape

If all else fails, get out of the house as much as you can. This can be a vacation, a quick getaway, or even regular evenings spent with family and friends. You can even offer to cook for others in their kitchens.

Cheer Up By Daydreaming About Your New Kitchen

Especially if your remodeling project is going to take several months, things can get gloomy. To help lift your spirits, keep your plans and samples handy so you can look at them and think about how wonderful the end result will be. Use a schedule and keep track of the progress.

Above all, don’t forget to take photos throughout the process. Once everything is finished you can sit in your wonderful new kitchen with a delicious meal and think about how it was all worth it.

Are you ready to embark on a kitchen renovation adventure? Contact Jawcon Pty Ltd now on 07 3352 3711 and we will discuss your kitchen renovation dreams!