Kitchen remodeling can be disturbing and time-consuming. Each family member is affected by this process in one way or another. Wondering how can you survive a kitchen remodel? This article is just for you!
Going through a kitchen remodel can be challenging. However, following specific tips can help you through the chaos. Here are some tips on how to survive a kitchen remodel.
Set up a temporary kitchenette
Use disposable utensils
Make a menu plan
Freeze meals beforehand
These strategies can help you to minimize the disruption in your daily routine. Following these tips will help you to be prepared for the construction challenges. Moreover, they will also help you maintain some level of functionality at your home.
This article will discuss these tips in detail. Moreover, it will also discuss some other dos and don’ts that you should remember during a kitchen remodel.
Should you stay at home during a kitchen remodel?
Staying or leaving home during a kitchen remodel depends upon the scope of your project. This choice will differ for different people according to the level of disruption.
If you choose an experienced contractor and the disruption is manageable, you should stay home. However, if you are demolishing your kitchen, it is better to leave home for some time.
Experienced contractors know how to follow a schedule and allow you to be prepared. Such professionals follow a specific plan of action. Therefore, allowing you to maintain your routine during a kitchen remodel.
Some people have a low-stress tolerance. In such cases, it is preferable to leave home during the construction process.
Tips to survive through a kitchen remodel
To survive a kitchen remodel, you must set up a temporary kitchen. You can use your dining room for such a setup. You can also keep some essential cooking utensils at hand and invest in portable cooking appliances.
It is also essential to be aware of the construction timeline. In this way, you can plan the actions you need to take and increase productivity.
In addition to that, you must also pack up things that you don’t need. This will help you to increase the storage space.
Instant pots, slow cookers, and other power tools can help you through this process.
Here are some tips to help you get through your kitchen remodeling more easily.
1. Set up a temporary kitchenette
It is favorable to use your dining room as your temporary kitchenette. You can transfer essential kitchen appliances and cooking utensils to the temporary kitchen. These appliances include a microwave oven, an electric kettle, etc.
To avoid mess, you should be able to wash dishes and keep the dirty dishes out. Therefore, you should set up a dishwashing station within or near your temporary kitchen setup. It would be best if you kept in mind to use kitchen utensils that are easy to use and clean.
The properties of a makeshift kitchen can vary for different households. You can include the best cooking appliances and kitchen utensils that suit your needs.
2. Use disposable utensils and dishes
If you plan a kitchen renovation, stock your pantry with disposable dishes. Disposable plates and cups will reduce the clean-up time after meals. These utensils will also save you the cost of dish detergent.
Using disposable plates and cups in your makeshift kitchenette has multiple benefits. They will increase your convenience during construction. Using these utensils also decreases the risk of losing your regular dishes during renovation.
The kitchen renovation process usually causes dust and debris around the house. Using disposable dishes can help to avoid contamination caused by airborne particles.
Disposable utensils can also be used to store food. You can easily manage the leftovers and use them again as needed.
3. Make a menu plan
During a kitchen model, making a menu can be tricky. Choose foods easily prepared using an instant pot, slow cooker, or toaster oven. Planning meals will also help you to store all the required ingredients beforehand.
The menu that you plan should include easy-to-prepare dishes like
Soups
Pot roast
Stews
Salads
Rotisserie chicken
While making a menu, ensure each family member agrees on the same items. This will help you to avoid extra costs and efforts.
Moreover, try to use leftovers as much as possible. Redefining leftovers can also help save money. The only utensil that you’ll require for this is a microwave oven.
4. Stock ready-to-eat items
Topping your dining table with ready-to-eat items is an effective way to deal with a kitchen renovation. By simplifying your meal prep, you can save time and effort. Canned-produce or vacuum-packed food should be your go-to for ease and convenience.
Going for ready-to-eat options reduces the stress of preparing a meal. Some snacks like yogurt and granola bars are nutritious and tasty. Snacking on these items further reduces your anxiety.
Stocking up on ready-to-eat items instead of eating out can save you money. Moreover, it provides flexibility towards unexpected events that might occur during a renovation.
Some ready-to-eat options that you can stock up on include:
Lentils
Beans
Deli
Bottled sauces
Freshly prepared salads that are available at your local grocery stores
5. Freeze meals beforehand
Do you want access to nutritious home-cooked meals during a kitchen remodel? Stocking up the freezer is your best option.
During the renovation, reheating a pre-cooked meal in a toaster oven can be life-saving. You can stock your freezer by cooking in batches before the renovation begins. You can pre-cook a variety of food according to your preferences.
After you have cooked the food, allow it to cool down. As it reaches room temperature, start adding it to containers.
Before you freeze the food that you prepare, make sure to label it. Mention the food's name and the dates on the containers. Moreover, it is important to use containers that are safe to be used in a freezer.
6. Designate a space for construction materials
Designating an area for construction materials can be brilliant if you have limited space. Doing so lets you keep the construction material organized and easily accessible. Moreover, you can keep this material out of your living area.
The best way is to choose a garage or spare room as your construction material space. You can use cabinets to store tools, drywall, and lumber. For storing items like nails and screws, you can use storage containers.
Renovations also require the management of larger materials like a kitchen sink or a bathroom sink. These items shall be stored close to the area where they will be installed.
So select a room closer to your kitchen as the designated space. This way, you can make your kitchen sink replacement process quicker and easier.
7. Communicate with your contractor
To limit extra costs during a kitchen makeover, you must communicate with the contractor. This will help you to make the process smooth and address issues in time. You should choose one person from your household to communicate with the contractor.
By maintaining one point of contact, communication can be more efficient. This does not mean that only one person can make choices. Rather one person can ask collective questions and share the agreed decisions.
By communicating with the contractor, you can set clear expectations. This will help you save time as well as material resources. The contractor can also help you to understand the process. As a result, all your doubts can be cleared.
8. Be prepared for dust and noise
A kitchen remodel can be troublesome and disruptive. To tolerate the dust and noise, you must create a personal space and protect your belongings. Cover your furniture and floor with plastic sheets to protect them from dust. Also, invest in good quality earplugs.
Tolerating noise is much easier for some than others. If you are unsettled by the chaos, you should spend more time outside your home. Moreover, you can also seal off the construction zone to minimize disturbance.
Kitchen remodels can lead to the accumulation of dirt and rubble. To combat this, you should plan for extra cleaning.
What is the hardest part of a kitchen remodel?
The hardest part of a kitchen remodel is to keep your plan organized. Moreover, staying on a budget during the renovation can also be quite challenging. It is important to add a cushion for unexpected expenses to your budget.
The installation of kitchen cabinets and flooring are tricky processes. It is crucial to choose a professional who is skilled at what he is doing. This way you can avoid common renovation mistakes.
Making design decisions during renovation can also be difficult. To deal with this, you can communicate with a designer. You can also get ideas from Pinterest and other online sources.
What tools and appliances will help you get through a kitchen remodel?
There are some tools and appliances that can help you get through a kitchen remodel. These appliances include
Coffee maker
Mini fridge
Electric kettle
Slow cooker
Electric frying pan
Toaster oven
Hot plate
Microwave oven
These small appliances are usually available in households. It is recommended to pack all the other extra kitchen tools and keep these at hand.
If you have a wet bar or a mini kitchen at your house, kitchen re-do can be much easier for you. You can stock the temporary kitchen with the essential appliances and maintain your routine.
Takeaway: Don’t stress about the process
Kitchen remodeling is a large-scale project and can lead to anxiety and mental strain. However, if you follow the tips mentioned above, you can avoid all the extra tension. Make the process fun by looking for inspiration online and in magazines.
It is also essential to choose the right team for the process. If you are working with an experienced remodeling crew, your kitchen remodeling can be a fun process.
Westward Renovation can be your best choice for a kitchen remodel. You can trust us for an affordable yet classy kitchen makeover.
If you want to learn more about our services, you can find the details here: Services | Westward Renovations.
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