Surviving your kitchen remodel: Creating a Temporary Kitchen
7 Min.Living through a kitchen renovation is a challenge. Especially for families with children. One of the ways you can make this time less stressful is by setting up a temporary kitchen. Here’s how.
Plan while packing
Pack up your old kitchen and put everything out of the way. While you’re going through your things, keep out the basic tools you’ll need to prep your daily meals. Think of it like a camp kitchen. Here are a few examples of basic temporary kitchen toolkit.
One plate, bowl, cup, glass and silverware for each family member
A cutting board and sharp knife
Assorted plastic containers with lids
Plastic wash basin and drying rack for dishes
Cleaning wipes, dishwashing detergent and paper towels
An assortment of biodegradable disposable dinnerware
Prep Space is key
It’s easy to forget the importance of prep space as you set up your temporary kitchen. You don’t need a lot of space, but it’s critical to have some. The easiest option is to make use of what you have. – boxes of kitchen stuff. Stack these up and lay a board of scrap wood on top. Add a plastic table cloth to make it easy to clean.
Get Cooking
Planning to make meals at home will help your budget and keep your family schedule a little more stable. Cooking in a temporary kitchen has its challenges, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. If your renovation is happening in the summer then make full use of your outdoor grill. An inexpensive propane powered camp stove or an electric hot plate are also good options. A microwave can be a lifesaver for a quick, hot meal. Crockpots and toaster ovens are also super useful during a renovation.
Planning out meals that are easy to create using your limited appliances may take a little time and effort, but will make mealtimes a lot easier. Sandwiches or pizza are not your only options. Ask your contractor to move your old refrigerator into your temporary kitchen area and store most of your food there. Keep the rest in clear tubs with lids. If you have hungry kids, designate one tub to their snack items so that they can access it easily.
Cleaning up
Not having a kitchen sink, makes you really appreciate your kitchen sink. Washing dishes can be the most trying part of living with a temporary kitchen. Trucking dirty dishes to a too-small bathroom sink gets old fast. Here’s another idea: Use your cooler as a sink. It’s deep and sturdy and may even have a drain to empty out the water. Simply fill your cooler with soapy water, wash, drain, done! You can use the cooler sink outdoors if its warm or in your bathtub if the weather is cold.
Keep it positive
A temporary kitchen can be a fun experience. Take the time to set up somewhere that your family enjoys being (i.e. don’t relegate the temporary kitchen to the cold, dark garage). Think of it like setting up a camp kitchen or a picnic area. The nicer and more organized it is, the more you will enjoy using it. Use a picnic or folding table for seating. Add a festive table cloth if things are looking a little grim. Keep your expectations of the space very clear with your family. Tell them where dirty dishes go, how to clean them and where to put them away. Point out the prep areas and where food is stored. get everyone on board for a little bit of camping life, but without the bugs and the uncomfortable beds.
Our designers know all the tricks to help you manage your kitchen renovation with ease. Stop by one of our showrooms for inspiration and know how.
JF Content creator and marketing director. Olivia loves beautiful spaces, inside and outside. When she’s not writing and talking about gorgeous kitchens Olivia can be found riding her bicycle around the country.