HOW TO SURVIVE A KITCHEN RENOVATION

 - OUR EXPERT TIPS

Having a new kitchen installed can be a very exciting time however the thought

of living without your kitchen can be a difficult thing to get your head around, so in this article we're going to look at how to survive a kitchen renovation.


We’ve got a couple of tips and things to keep in mind when going through

a kitchen renovation, which will hopefully help to take some of the stress and pain out of the process.

Establish a realistic time frame

This is maybe one of the most important things you can do to help you mentally prepare

for the stress of a kitchen renovation. This involves setting clear but realistic expectations about when the work is going to start and when it's going to be completed.

Knowing the timeline in advance can help you plan accordingly and avoid any unnecessary

stress. It's important to keep in mind that kitchen renovations can last for several weeks or even months depending on the scope of your project. Be sure to discuss the timeline with your

contractor or renovation team and ask for regular updates throughout the process. This will help you to stay informed about any changes or delays to the project. 

And when establishing this timeline try to be realistic about the time needed for each phase of the project. Consider factors such as demolition, electrical and plumbing work, flooring installation, cabinet and countertop installation and any other customizations or features that you want to add into your project. This will help you to create a realistic schedule that takes into account all the different elements of the project and make your renovation process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Move out

Maybe this is a luxury and certainly not for everyone but if you have the option to move out during your kitchen renovation, it can definitely help to make the process a lot smoother. While this may

not be a feasible option for everyone it's worth considering if you have any family or friends who are willing to take you in for a short while. Even better if you can afford to go on a short holiday. By moving out you'll give the trades people working on your kitchen renovation the space they need

to get on with things quicker and more efficiently. You won't have to worry about trying to work around them or vice versa plus you won't have to deal with the noise, dust and general chaos that

comes with the kitchen renovation. You can simply leave and then come back to a brand new kitchen once the renovation is complete -  at least that's the dream of course. Moving out during the renovation can be expensive so it's important to weigh up the costs and benefits before making this decision but if you can swing it, it can be a great way to survive a kitchen renovation with

minimal stress and hassle.

 Meal prep it

It takes some forward planning but this can come in really handy.  This means preparing, cooking and freezing a batch of meals before the renovation starts so you have something to eat while your

kitchen is out of commission.  Make sure to choose simple and easy meals that don't take extra preparation and cooking  time when you need them. And if you're not able to do meal prep, consider going out to eat a few times or getting takeaway or leaning on those friends and families for a home-cooked meal. 

I think it's best if you can do a mix of all of these because it can be a great way to break up the monotony of eating those same simple meals every day.

Pack up

Help your kitchen fitters out and pack away your old kitchen with plenty of time to spare. Don't wait until the night before or the day of the kitchen renovation to start packing. 

This actually happens to us quite often when we are doing a kitchen fitting. You’ll likely find that you have way more stuff than you realize and it's going to take longer than you think. Start by packing away non-essential items like kitchen gadgets, serving dishes and any decorative items. 

You may also want to take this opportunity to de-clutter your kitchen and get rid of any items that

you don't use anymore. Sell them or give them away to charity. However when packing up your kitchen be sure to leave out some essential items that you're going to need during the renovation. This might include a few knives, a cutting board, a few pots and pans, a couple of mugs and a plate. You'll know the essentials that you need. You'll also want to leave out a few everyday food items as well, especially the tea and coffee - you're going to be needing those.

Create a temporary kitchen

If you're going to be without a kitchen for any decent length of time during your renovation, creating a temporary kitchen can be a real lifesaver.  Ideally you'll want to set up this temporary kitchen

away from the mess of the renovation but close to a water supply. 

Using some fold-up tables can be a great way to create some counter space and they can be easily moved around and put away when not in use. A washing up boat in your bath can serve as a sink - just remember to empty that water down the toilet when you finish to save your bath drains.

If you're not hanging on to any of your old cabinets during the renovation to use as storage then getting some clear plastic boxes can be a good option. They're inexpensive, lightweight, easy to move around and you can see what you've got inside of them. If you've got an old fridge freezer you can move that into your temporary kitchen until the new renovation is complete. 

For cooking, a portable cooktop or a microwave for simple meals and reheating food can be great or if the weather's good maybe you can go outside and grill in the garden. It may not be as convenient as your regular kitchen but a temporary kitchen can definitely help you get through the renovation period. 

Set up a seating area

During a kitchen renovation, not only will your kitchen disappear but your seating area can as well. If you're used to having a table and chairs in your kitchen it can be challenging to find a new place to eat meals or gather and sit around with friends and family.  Try to create a new seating area elsewhere in your home this can help to maintain a sense of normalcy during meal times and can provide an additional prep area if needed.

Move your table out of the way of any work and try to set it up in a new spot, maybe in the corner of your living room by setting up a temporary kitchen area. You can continue to enjoy meals

with your family and friends even if your kitchen is out of commission.

Schedule deliveries early if you're project managing and getting any of the bits yourself. Make sure to have everything on site and ready when you or your fitters need it. Appliances, sink, taps, door handles - any bits and pieces like this. All these items need to be ordered and scheduled for delivery in advance. So many things can be out of stock or on back order and this can really throw a spanner in the works. For instance, if you don't have your sink or hop on site ready for when your countertops are going to be templated this is likely going to stall and hold up the whole process, causing delays and maybe even money wasted. If you have to reschedule these visits, by staying organized and scheduling deliveries in advance, you can help ensure that your renovation stays on track and on budget. So make sure you're organized and have these bits decided, ordered and delivered

on site ready for when you need them.

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