When it comes to kitchen remodeling, you often think about two things: the “before” and the “after.” You're ready to go from the old and tired to a bright and shiny new kitchen! Performing a kitchen remodel can be stressful but you are willing to accept the painful reality that the kitchen will be out of commission during construction. The end results will far outweigh the inconvenience!
Clean and Declutter
Remodeling offers a great excuse to clean out those kitchen cabinets thoroughly. Items can be sorted into four piles: trash, donate, store, and daily necessities.
Daily necessities should be moved to the temporary kitchen (we'll get there in a minute), which will serve as mealtime HQ during the remodel.
While you're cleaning things out, think through your new design. Will you have new storage options? Are you removing any cabinetry to make way for an open concept?
Set Up A Temporary Kitchen and Stock It
It’s not practical to eat takeout for every meal, so be sure you set up a temporary kitchen to get you through the weeks of construction that will accompany your remodel. The best location for your temporary kitchen is in a room near a sink, like a laundry room or a bathroom. It should have enough space for either a mini refrigerator or your old kitchen refrigerator. It’s always best to hold onto your fridges during construction. You can put it in the garage or basement.
Who knows, you might decide to keep the old refrigerator. Having a second fridge and freezer just means more options for food storage! You also want to hold onto a few small appliances, like your coffee maker, microwave, slow cooker, and toaster or, better yet, a toaster oven, which can be used instead of the oven itself. It may be a good idea to purchase an induction cooktop for easy meal prep. Finally, stock your kitchen with disposable plates, cups, and silverware.
Make a Meal Plan
Fancy meals won't be on the menu during construction, so plan for some easy, convenient meals, like sandwiches, salads, fruit, cereal, and “grab and go” items. Making some meals ahead of time and freeze them so you can just pop them in the microwave or toaster oven to defrost and reheat. It will save you a lot of money and a lot of extra calories to have pre-made home cooked meals. There's no shortage of foods that freeze well, and with meal prep trending these days, a quick search on Pinterest should provide many ideas.Don’t Forget Your Pets
Pets underfoot can make the remodel difficult, so they should be kept out of the kitchen. They should have somewhere safe, like a kennel or a carrier, to escape with food, water, and a favorite blanket or bed.
For families with anxious or aggressive animals, or with pets that usually have free roam of the house, you might want to consider getting a pet sitter or making other arrangements for your furry friend while construction is underway.