Set up a temporary kitchen
Choose a spot away from the work zone, such as a dining room, laundry room or garage corner. Bring a microwave, a small refrigerator, a toaster oven, a coffee maker and a hot plate or slow cooker. Use paper or reusable dishes to cut down on washing.
A temporary sink may be a bathroom or laundry tub. Plan where dishes will be washed, so it does not become a daily puzzle.
Plan meals
Prepare freezer meals ahead, learn a few one-pot recipes and plan on some takeout. Grilling outdoors helps in good weather. Having a simple plan stops the stress of what is for dinner.
Keep the budget in mind. A week of takeout adds up, so a mix of easy home cooking and treats works best.
Control dust and noise
Ask the team to use barriers, floor protection and air filtration. Close vents in the work area and seal doors with plastic. Expect some dust anyway and plan to clean often.
Noise is part of construction. Plan quiet work, calls and rest in another part of the house, or work elsewhere on loud days.
Protect kids and pets
Keep children and pets away from the work area. Tools, open walls and debris are hazards. Consider a gate or a closed door and a plan for dogs during the day.
Talk with the crew about doors, gates and any special needs, so everyone is safe.
Protect your belongings
Pack dishes, small appliances and pantry items before work starts. Cover furniture in adjoining rooms and remove art from walls near the work area. Label boxes so you can find what you need.
Take photos of the kitchen before construction for your records.
Communicate with the team
Agree on working hours, access, parking and who to call with questions. Ask for regular updates. If something bothers you, say so early, because small concerns are easy to fix.
A friendly relationship with the crew makes the whole project better.
Keep the finish line in sight
Every remodel has hard days. Remember the reasons you started and the plans you made. Celebrate milestones such as the arrival of the cabinets and the first night with new lights.
Then enjoy your new kitchen. The mess becomes a memory fast.
Set up a temporary kitchen early, plan meals, protect the house from dust and keep communication open with the crew.
