How to Survive Your Kitchen Remodel

Aside from budgeting and decision-making for new surfaces, fixtures, and appliances, there are a variety of other factors at play in any home remodeling project, but especially when it’s arguably the most important room in your house. 

It’s finally time for construction to start on your kitchen remodel – but what will you do without a kitchen during the remodel? Without a fully functioning kitchen, your family’s daily routine could be thrown totally off-kilter. 

Rather than finding yourself unexpectedly without a meal for your family, take advantage of these great tips on surviving your next kitchen remodeling project in West Lafayette, Indiana. 

Create a Temporary Kitchen Space

The ideal first step for ensuring you and your family can comfortably survive your kitchen remodeling project is to create a temporary kitchen space somewhere else in your home. You might be tempted to rely on fast food for the duration of the project, but your wallet (and your figure) could be seriously impacted as a result. 

Your best bet for a stand-in kitchen is a low-traffic area in your home far from the construction area and close to a sink or other water source. Many families enjoy eating around the TV in the family room, so this could be your best bet for ease of access and comfort. Otherwise, use your dining room, garage, or even a spare bedroom if possible. 

Remember: kitchens can be messy spaces. Utilize plastic storage bins for items from your pantry whenever possible. Also, make sure any furnishings, flooring, or valuable items are protected from the mess you and your family might make while your kitchen remodeling project is in progress!

Keep it Simple

If you’re an ambitious chef who loves to prepare high-concept meals, you might find your cooking efforts entirely disrupted during your kitchen remodel. That’s why you should prepare yourself for keeping it simpler during the remodeling process. 

While you might miss some of your more specialized appliances and kitchen tools, there’s no need to transport everything to your temporary kitchen. Decide on the most essential utensils and minor cookware – you probably won’t need your waffle iron, food processor, or mandolin. 

During your remodeling project, it could be fun to practice a somewhat spartan cooking lifestyle. Think of it as a culinary vacation experience for your family!

Think Small and Multipurpose

Just because you don’t have your full kitchen at your disposal doesn’t mean you can’t prepare a full meal. These days, slow cookers, toaster ovens, electric griddles, hot plates, coffee makers, and microwaves are small enough to fit on most surfaces in your home. You could even purchase a minifridge and stock it with the essentials from your kitchen refrigerator.  

Keep in mind, though, that your temporary kitchen spot may not be able to sustain multiple appliances running in tandem. You don’t want to blow a breaker while your kitchen remodeling crew is hard at work – it might interrupt their work and delay the project longer than you want to wait!

Keep Disposables in Supply

Without the use of your kitchen sink, dirty dishes might pile up fast. That’s why it’s better to spend a small amount of money on paper plates, cups, napkins, and plastic utensils. These items make cleanup a simple task and function almost as well as your finest china. 

You’ll definitely be taking the trash out more often than usual, so make sure you keep your garbage and recycling bins close at hand. If you’re worried about smell or a dirty appearance in your temporary kitchen space, keep your bins in a spot out of sight and smell range but still near enough for easy disposal. 

Work the Grill and Takeout Options

Everyone has used a grill now and then for barbecue or grilling hot dogs on game day, but did you know your grill can handle almost anything your kitchen oven can? Whether you’re roasting meat, baking a pizza, or flipping burgers, your backyard grill is the perfect solution for whipping up some tasty meals without ever setting foot into your currently demolished kitchen. If the weather’s nice, you could even turn it into a fun picnic for the family.

Odds are good you have a grill gathering dust on your back patio. If not, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a friend or neighbor who has one you could borrow. Just remember to give it back once your new kitchen is fully operational!

Your other alternative for quick and easy meals is to find great local takeout options. These days, most restaurants either deliver or provide convenient pickup options. Clip some coupons before your remodel starts and plan a budget ahead of time to accommodate your evenings dining out. 

Consider a Vacation

Have you had any special trips, romantic getaways, or family fun-days planned for months? Now is the time!

Instead of throwing off your family’s at-home routines, leaving altogether and enjoying a few days on an exciting vacation or road trip might be the perfect solution for surviving your kitchen remodeling project. Take in some sights, bask in the sunlight, and finally feel excited to come home after a vacation – after all, your brand new kitchen will be ready and waiting.

Just remember, when leaving your home for several days, you want to be absolutely certain the construction contractors you leave behind are trustworthy. In order to feel completely comfortable with people in your home while you’re not there, be sure to hire a kitchen remodeling contractor in Lafayette or West Lafayette with a history of reliability and trust, as well as satisfied customers. 

That’s where the team at Riverside Construction comes in. 

Hire a West Lafayette Remodeling Company You Can Trust

Transforming your kitchen might take some time, but you’ll reap the benefits of a newly remodeled kitchen space for years to come. Not only will you get more functionality and enjoyment out of your new kitchen – it’ll also add tremendous value to your home in the long run. 

If you think you and your family are ready to take on a kitchen remodeling project, it’s critical you choose a kitchen remodeling contractor in West Lafayette you can rely on. The team of experts at Riverside Construction have decades of combined experience in the design-build home construction and remodeling industry. Our reputation speaks for itself – you can count on our experience and dedication to quality customer service as we create a phenomenal finished project for your new kitchen remodel.

If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen but aren’t sure where to begin, make sure to view our kitchen remodeling portfolio for inspiration and sign up for our monthly newsletter full of remodeling expertise and ideas. And be sure to schedule a consultation when you are ready to dig into the details of your kitchen remodeling project or call us (765) 838-1644.