I love this list of tips to survive a kitchen remodel by Maria of Two Peas and Their Pod. We remodeled our kitchen while we were not living in the home and it was stressful enough. I can’t imagine taking on such a big task while being in residence but Maria shows us some ways to pull it off while maintaining some sanity. (And her results are staggeringly gorgeous!)
We remodeled our kitchen last year and are very happy with the results, but it was not easy. We did the remodel ourselves and lived at home during the construction mess. We were surrounded by tools, dust, and had no kitchen for four months. Living without a kitchen was the hardest part for me since I love to cook and bake. I knew I was getting my dream kitchen, so I tried to keep the end result in mind. I had to repeat “this will be worth it” almost every day. If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen, here are a few tips to help you survive.
1. Set up a makeshift kitchen in your home. Move your refrigerator, microwave, and table to this area. Keep paper plates, napkins, paper towels, utensils, cutlery, and cups on hand. If you have a hot plate or toaster oven, these can come in handy too.
2. Keep meals simple. Stock your refrigerator with sandwich and salad fixings, milk for cereal, fresh fruit, and foods you can grill or microwave.
3. Stock your freezer. Plan ahead and make meals that can be frozen and reheated later. Soups, stews, lasagna, enchiladas, and casseroles all freeze well.
4. Borrow a kitchen. Offer to cook dinner for your friends or family. I am sure they would love to let you use their kitchen if you are providing the meal.
5. Dine out. Dining out can be expensive and sometimes the options aren’t that healthy. Look for coupons, split meals, or bring home a doggy bag to reheat for another meal.
6. Move your fridge and microwave to this temporary kitchen zone along with a table. An electric hot platealong with at least one pot is a good idea as well.
7. Stock the table with basic supplies: microwave-safe dishes, utensils, paper or plastic plates and cups, cutlery, paper towels, napkins, baggies, plastic wrap and garbage bags. Remember a can opener!
8. Don’t forget coffee! Set up a coffee station: coffee maker, coffee, sugar.
9. Have a supply of dry foods in boxes under the table like: cereal, granola bars, bread, Kraft Dinner, microwave popcorn, tuna and soups.
10. Stock your fridge with drinks,cream, milk, condiments, sandwich meats and BBQ foods like chicken, steak, hamburgers, sausage and hot dogs. The barbeque will become your new best friend during a kitchen remodel. Salad stuff and fresh fruit should also be readily available.
