We all cling to our routines in large part because they make life easier, especially when it comes to comes to cooking. An organized kitchen takes a lot of the stress out of meal prep. So, when it’s time to remodel your kitchen, how exactly are you supposed to continue cooking and eating through the chaos?
It can be frustrating to live in a home where nothing is where it used to be, and making dinner is all about compromise. Undertaking a major kitchen renovation means letting go of some of your everyday routines and being patient. To get you through the process, here are ways to cope in a challenging environment.
Temper your expectations
On TV, some contractors manage to renovate an entire house in six weeks, an unrealistic goal in the real world, where a kitchen renovation alone can take anywhere from four weeks to four months.
If you’ve never done a renovation before, be prepared for lots of highs (the stone floor looks gorgeous!) and plenty of lows (the custom cabinets are a half-inch off). “It comes down to communication with the client and setting expectations upfront,” says Chris Black, president of Blackline Renovations, Dallas. So, when your contractor says the job will take eight to 10 weeks, take a deep breath and believe him.
Create a new ‘kitchen’
You’re going to need a place to cook simple meals and eat so figure out where to put a transient kitchen during the renovation like the dining room, living room, even the laundry room. Set up the basics: a table, mini fridge and small appliances to cook with, such as a toaster oven.
Less is more
Unless you really use your bread maker every day, don’t move it into your temporary kitchen space. Take just what you’ll actually use to make simple meals — besides a toaster-oven, take a microwave, crockpot, hot plate, plus a coffeemaker. Same goes for cooking utensils — you may own five spatulas, but really only need to take one. Pack the rest and store elsewhere along with other nonessential kitchen apparatus.
Easy clean
Without a deep sink, scrubbing a dirty pot will be challenging.
“The biggest problem during a kitchen renovation is cleaning up,” Black says. “
You can make food all day long with little problem, but you need a sink to clean up the dirty dishes. And it’s hard to wash dishes in a bathroom vanity.” All the more reason to keep elaborate or messy foods off the menu.
Toss it
In the spirit of keeping things simple, cut down on what you need to wash by using disposables: plates (go for the sturdy kind that look like they’re made of cardboard), plastic forks, knives, spoons and cups, and paper napkins. Look for eco-friendly options to reduce your environmental impact.
Cook ahead
Make your family’s favourites that can be easily reheated, and store in small containers that will fit in a mini fridge or toaster-oven.
Picnic on the inside
This isn’t only for a family with young children — it’s fun for any age. Spread a blanket on the floor and eat takeout. It’ll be a nice break from crowding around your cramped temporary table or eating on the sofa.
Stay home
As tempting as it may be to hightail it far, far away to visit family or go on vacation, Black advises against it. “We prefer that clients stay in town so they can keep their eye on the renovation’s progress,” he says. If you go away on vacation and something happens you weren’t aware of, your vacation calm will evaporate the moment you walk in the door and hear the news.
