This article is part three of my kitchen renovation series and focuses on how to live without a kitchen during a renovation. If you missed the other two articles here are the links: “2018 Kitchen Trends” and “You Want to Remodel your Kitchen, What’s Next.
The first step is to determine what you will need during the demo and construction phases. Also, ask your contractor for a schedule of expectations, that way when delays occur you have documentation. Understand that you need to have all of your fixtures, colors, elements selected and purchased before the remodel begins. If you add extra items or work that are outside of the contract scope, this can cause delays in completion.
Be patient and realize you will have a beautiful kitchen when you are done!
Discuss with your contractor how they will minimize the mess and dust during construction. Be sure your kitchen is ready for the workers. Therefore, your kitchen will need to be emptied. Take this opportunity to get rid of things that are old or that you do not want or need. Give away what you no longer want, store what you want to keep, and keep daily used items in bins.
5 Steps to create your temporary kitchen area:
- Set up a table that can hold your necessary small appliances: coffee maker, toaster or toaster oven, microwave. If you don’t have an extra table, you can pick up a folding table inexpensively from Target. Or purchase a cart for your needs that can be later repurposed in another room, or incorporated into your new kitchen.
- If you plan to replace your refrigerator and will be removing it from the house, see if your contractor can move it to an area where you can continue to use it and have them remove it when the job is done. Or find a mini-frig on your local Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist if you do not want to buy a new one.
- Stock up on Biodegradable Products: Plates, utensils, cups. Clean up will be a breeze!
- Use boxes or plastic bins with lids marked for day-to-day use.
- Have ready meal options: Think sandwich fixings, peanut butter, healthy snacks (protein bars), dried fruit, nuts, soup. Plan to use your grill for dinners, buy ready-made salads at your grocer.
If you are stuck pulling your design elements together, I can help you pick the right colors and accents, so you do not make costly mistakes or feel like you have to live with something you don’t like. Call me at 610-955-8202, and I can help you create the beautiful kitchen of your dreams!
By Debbie Correale, Redesign Right, LLC. Stay connected on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz, and Instagram. Feature photo from Unsplash.