The process of remodeling your kitchen is exciting, but can be quite a shock to a family’s daily routine. You don’t realize how much you really use your kitchen until you can’t use it anymore! Here are some tips to help you, and your family, survive your kitchen renovation:
1. Relocate Your Necessities (AKA: The ‘Junk Drawer’)
Every family has what is referred to as the ‘junk drawer.’ It holds things that you might use on a regular basis, but none of which have a particular place they belong. Ink pens, scratch paper, batteries, matches, rulers, calculators, tape, magnets, glue, school supplies, rubber bands… the list goes on! If this drawer is in your kitchen, make sure you move those items to a place that is more accessible while the kitchen is off limits.
2. Create a Temporary Kitchen
Bedrooms, garages, laundry rooms, or even spare bathrooms will work. Utilize your refrigerator if it needs to be out of the kitchen, or purchase an inexpensive free standing mini fridge. Add a small microwave, a coffeemaker, or even a toaster oven. Think about necessities and easy, no-mess meal prep options.
3. Paper is Your Friend
Head to the local big box store and invest in a supply of paper plates. Be sure to pay a little extra for the heavy-duty ones. Plastic cups and utensils, paper towels / napkins are also a wise purchase, along with some handy wet wipes! It may seem wasteful, but eating on disposable dishware for a few weeks beats having to wash dirty dishes in the bathtub!
4. Plan on Some Healthy Outdoor Cooking
If you don’t already have an outdoor grill, you can spend as little as $40 on a small charcoal grill. Grilling is fast, easy, and can be healthy! There are tons of options for grilling – from meats to vegetables, even fruit! This will keep you from getting bored or burnt-out from eating the same things on a regular basis.
5. Stock up on Frozen Foods
While you wouldn’t want eat frozen dinners every day, it’s still cheaper and can be healthier than going through the drive-thru. Include a pre-bagged salad and pick up some of those handy microwave veggie steamer bags and you’ve got a decently tasty, healthy AND quick dinner (minus the messy kitchen!)
Remember, the average kitchen renovation takes four to eight weeks. It might be inconvenient for a bit, but taking these few extra steps will make the whole process much easier for everyone. Stay positive and see the light at the end of the tunnel — a beautiful new kitchen that you and your family will enjoy cooking, eating, and hanging out in for years to come!
Warm Regards,
Mike
