Are you looking for a kitchen remodel survival guide for your next renovation project? If so, you have come to the right place!
For some, staying in their home during a renovation is a burden that they don’t want to live through. For others they see it as a creative way to save money and reduce overall project costs. Yet, due to the chaos of construction, renovations can cause distress even for the most seasoned homeowners. Supposing this is the route you have decided on, wouldn’t it be helpful if there was advice available that could help teach you how to get through renovations with as few hiccups as possible? If so, you’re in the right place.
To assist you in getting through your interior remodeling experience as safely and peacefully as possible, we’ve created a comprehensive guide of the most practical tips below.
1. Set Up a Temporary Kitchen in Your Home
Renovating a bedroom can cause substantial stress on a family. Still, nothing can prepare most homeowners for the inconvenience of a torn-apart kitchen. To help ease that burden, we recommend that our customers assemble a temporary kitchen on their property for family meals. Whether it’s an outdoor barbecue station, an extended counter in another room, or even just a small crockpot on your patio table, establishing a makeshift cooking area will help you prepare food and ease stress while your home is under construction.
To set up a temporary kitchen, gather some essential cooking items like appliances, dishes, and other necessities, such as:
- Cutting implements, tableware, and other culinary tools
- Foldable table and chairs for a temporary dining room spot
- Pots and frying pans
- Utensils and plate ware – from mugs to platters
- Food storage items such as Tupperware
- Strainers and cutting boards
Pro Tip: Be sure to have a designated clean-up area for all the dirty dishes, utensils, and pots you’ll use.
2. Get Temporary Appliances to Prepare Meals During Construction
One of the most significant inconveniences of kitchen renovations is the inability to use your standard, large kitchen appliances. Because the kitchen will be disassembled during the renovation, it is crucial that you think through the bare minimum appliances that you will need to prepare food for yourself or your family. Do you drink coffee? Set aside a coffee maker. Do you frequently make vegetables? Purchase a compact vegetable steamer. Do you enjoy a juicy steak? Set up your grill.
Below is a list of everyday items we recommend all of our customers set out to be prepared for their new kitchen remodel:
- Countertop ovens
- Hot plates
- Electric grills
- Microwaves
- Blenders and mixers
- Single-cup brewers/French press
- Electric kettles
- Toaster oven
- Small Refrigerator
Pro Tip: Since cooking will be more difficult during renovation, we recommend cooking proteins in larger batches. Set aside one day a week to cook up a large batch of chicken, pork, or steak and store them in your mini fridge for later.
3. Create a List of Things to Pack
Before starting your kitchen renovation, we recommend packing all your kitchen items to prevent damage. But before you pack, make a checklist of the basic things you need to cook food while your kitchen is down.
Some general things you should consider adding to your list are the following:
- Food
- Disposable plates, cups, and utensils
- Cleaning supplies
- Paper towels
- Plastic containers for food storage
- Extension cords
- Temporary small refrigerator
Kitchen Remodeling Tip: If you have children, prepare a small area for them to eat.
Needing a High Quality Contractor To Nail Your Next Kitchen Project?
We Have Decades of Combined Experience Renovating Residential Kitchens in East Tennessee and the Carolinas. Give us a call to find out why we are the choice for so many home owners!
4. Strategize Your Weekly Meals
With the kitchen out of commission for a bit, it is important to strategize what you or your family will eat every week. This will allow you to prepare things in bulk one day a week to minimize the inconvenience of utilizing the small temporary kitchen you have built. At a loss of easy meals to prep? No worries! Check out this helpful blog with a long list of easy crockpot meals to serve your family.
Below is a list of easy meals you can make with small temporary cooking appliances:
- Microwave: Deliciously convenient frozen entrees, freshly steamed vegetables, ready-in-minutes rice dishes, and delectable leftovers
- Slow cooker: Delicious pot roast, hearty chili, savory stew, succulent pulled meat, and warm soup
- Instant pot: Mouth-watering rice, savory sauces, delectable pasta dishes, and succulent chicken – there’s something for everyone to enjoy instantly!
- Hot plate: Savory pasta, delectable eggs, and hearty soup – these three ingredients will tantalize your taste buds like no other using a hot plate
- Electric griddle: Pancakes with a hint of maple syrup, crispy bacon, and melted cheese quesadillas – what could be tastier than just using an electric griddle?
Pro Tip: Invest in a large crockpot to replace your cooking appliances temporarily. Even though your large oven may be temporarily out of service, there is no need to eat basic foods. Crockpots are incredibly versatile and can create some fantastic meals while you are away at work.
5. Create a Designated Space to Wash Dishes
An often overlooked item of temporary kitchen preparation is the location where dishes are washed. Will you use a bathroom sink, an outside wash basin, or a tub in the backyard? Regardless of your choice, it is important to consider this aspect so you don’t start to accumulate a large assortment of dirty dishes around the home.
Common temporary kitchen cleaning areas include the following:
- Bathroom sink
- Garden Hose
- Garage or Laundry Room Sink
- Outdoor Wash Basin
- Portable Sink
Pro Tip: Where ever you choose to wash your dishes, ensure the water temperature is adequate to kill any bacteria on the dishes. According to Finish Dish Washing, the water temperature for washing dishes should be between 140F and 150F to properly sanitize the dishes before reuse.
We hope these tips will make your kitchen renovation process as painless and stress-free as possible. If you need a contractor to knock out your next remodel project, don’t wait to contact Green Home Installations. With years of experience renovating residential and commercial buildings, we know what to expect and how to make kitchen renovations as painless as possible. Let’s get started!
Happy remodeling!