So you have finally scheduled your kitchen renovation and are eagerly awaiting your contractor to arrive. What can you do to make the process easier? Set up a temporary kitchen long before the first hammer is swung.
Temporary Kitchens
What is a temporary kitchen and why do you need one? For starters, think about what it is going to look like in your home when renovations are going on. Depending upon the extent of work slated, you might not have as easy access to a stove, fridge or running water as what you are used to. During simple cabinet refacing, you might not be as inconvenienced, but in the case of full-scale remodels, your existing kitchen might be stripped to the studs with nary a spoon in sight. In a scenario like that, you want to have as many amenities available as possible, even if it looks a little different.
A temporary kitchen does just that. Essentially, you are creating a temporary space where you can still perform basic culinary tasks with access to the bare minimum of tools and space. Break it down to food prep and take the eating, drinking, and cleanup elsewhere.
How to Set Up a Temporary Kitchen
Think about items you use daily. Is your coffee pot a staple? Can you live without your morning piece of toast? Do you need access to after-school snacks stat? These are your must-have items that you need to keep in mind before construction starts. With a little shuffling and a lot of ingenuity, you can make do until the dust settles and you can move into your brand new kitchen. Here’s how;
- Carve out a space you can use for your temporary kitchen. That might be a corner of the living room, your laundry room, or the spare bedroom. Having access to water is a perk, but not always an option. In that scenario, make sure to free up some space in your bathroom for washing dishes, filling pots, and topping up your kettle.
- Decide what your essential items are and keep them handy. This list might include your coffee pot, electric kettle, toaster oven, toaster, microwave, and/or fridge. You might want to throw in your instapot or crockpot too, as they make meal prep a snap in tight spaces. Don’t forget essential utensils, like bbq tongs, paring knives, a can opener, hand towels, and the bare minimum in cups, dishes, and cutlery.
- Pack non-essentials. You won’t have the space for formal dining during major kitchen renovations, so take the time to pack anything you won’t use while work is underway. That includes extra dishes, cutlery, pots, pans, storage containers, and small appliances you won’t need for the duration. Keep only the bare minimum with space in mind. This is also a great time to purge anything you no longer use, that is chipped, broken or missing parts.
- Stock up on snacks. While you might have to forego formal dinners for a while, you still need to eat. No need to add hangry to the menu when you have enough other stressors on your plate. Keep a stock of healthy snacks on hand, so that you aren’t always tempted to eat out. Think nuts, fruit, granola bars, and other easy to prepare options to keep hunger at bay when it feels like work crews are taking over your space. Store them in a space out of the way of construction, so that you can grab and go as you need.
Remember that creating a new kitchen takes time and effort. While some of the process can feel inconvenient, the end product is worth it. Making compromises and putting steps in place beforehand helps. Have more questions? Ask Ryan how to prepare for your upcoming kitchen renovation when you book with Revival Home Renovations.