Living Without the Heart of the Home: How to Survive a Kitchen Remodel
If you’re embarking on a remodel of your Tacoma, Washington home, congratulations! It’s exciting to watch your current home be transformed into your dream home before your eyes. But as fun as the process is, it can also be stressful to live in a construction zone; people in and out, construction materials and tools in your space, and the general disruption that a renovation causes can be hard to put up with.
If the home remodel includes your kitchen, you’ll need to figure out how to function for a while without the heart of the home. Living in a house while the kitchen is being remodeled has its challenges, but it can be done–and the end result will certainly be worth the effort. We’re here to help. Read on for our best tips and ideas.
Preparation is Key: Set Up a Temporary Kitchen
The best way to deal with a kitchen remodel is to make a temporary kitchen elsewhere in your home. This will take some thought and planning, but it will provide you with the space you need to care for your family during the remodeling process. And most importantly, a temporary kitchen will give you a sense of normalcy that will help you thrive.
When thinking about where to set up your kitchen, remember that you want it to be far enough away from the construction zone that you don’t have to deal with dust and debris around your food. Ideally, your space would have access to a nearby sink–a utility sink in the laundry room, or a bathroom sink. Your space also needs to have outlets and enough room for a few tubs and a folding table. Some options include
the basement
a spare bedroom
the dining room or the living room
the garage
What Does My Temporary Kitchen Need?
Before demolition starts, you will need to pack up your kitchen. You can use this time to declutter and donate anything you don’t need (How do the coffee mugs multiply when we’re not looking?). Then begin sorting what’s left into two categories: what you can store for later, and what you’ll need during the renovation process.
The Essentials
The goal is to have only what you need in your temporary kitchen–too much, and it will feel overwhelming; too little, and you won’t be able to function well. What qualifies as essential will differ from household to household, but here are some items to consider:
A refrigerator. If you can move your full-sized fridge into your temporary kitchen space and plug it in, great! If not, a minifridge may be your best friend.
A coffee maker. Many people keep their coffee maker in the master bathroom during a remodel. You can do that, or keep it with the rest of the kitchen set-up.
Something to cook with. You could use a microwave, an instant pot, an electric skillet, or a hot plate.
A water cooler. While not absolutely necessary, it can be a nice feature to make sure you’ve got cold, filtered water whenever you want it.
Basic cookware: measuring cups and spoons, a saucepan, a mixing bowl, a can opener, a spatula, etc.
Other things you use all the time, like a blender if you’re a smoothie-loving family.
The Supplies
While it’s not the most eco-friendly option, you may want to use paper plates and plasticware during this remodeling time period. You’ll be doing dishes in the bathroom sink most likely, and the fewer things you have to wash, the better. Choose one mug or travel mug per person, and employ reusable water bottles when possible instead of cups or glasses.
Consider using plastic drawers or bins to store food and other necessities. The more organized you can be, the better. Small shelves may work too. Use a folding table for prep space. If you still have access to your dining room, you can carry plates there and eat at your dining table. Otherwise, bring some folding chairs into your make-shift kitchen and eat at the folding table. Remember, this is a temporary set-up. It doesn’t have to be perfect or attractive–just functional.
How Else Can I Prepare?
The more you think through your needs before demolition starts, the more relaxed you’ll be during the process.
Easy Meals
Living without the heart of the home can be tricky. Gathering the supplies you need and setting up a functional space will make it so much easier for you and your family. Make sure to keep your meal options as easy as possible during this time.
Make a list of easy meals, including instant pot or microwave meals.
Buy everything you can prechopped and presliced.
Use frozen dinners as much as possible.
Include a line item in your remodeling budget for takeout or eating out for when you just don’t want to deal with cooking.
If you have the option and the weather cooperates, grill out when possible.
Safety Concerns
Your family’s safety is the top priority, so make sure your temporary kitchen is a safe place for them to be. Ensure that potential hazards are avoided. Make sure extension cords aren’t stretched over walkways. Monitor cooking appliances to make sure they don’t overheat, and be sure to have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket nearby. Keep food covered to avoid construction dust, and keep a bottle of hand sanitizer on the folding table for everyone to use.
Keep Your Eye on the Prize
Living without a kitchen can be difficult. But as you watch the transformation of your Tacoma home take place before your eyes, you’ll be glad you went through the process. Our team of designers and builders will communicate with you every step of the way so you know what to expect at each stage. With a little preparation, some flexibility, and the ability to keep the end goal in mind, you’ll make it through the remodeling process just fine.
Ready to get started? Our integrated design and build team has been serving the South King and Pierce County areas since 2018. We’re ready to help you make the heart of your home–your kitchen–the place you’ve always dreamed it could be. Contact us today to begin the process.