How to Prepare Your Home for a Kitchen Remodel

After spending countless hours browsing Pinterest and other home remodeling blogs, you’ve finally decided to pull the trigger on your kitchen remodel. It’s an exciting time but it can also be quite stressful if you aren’t adequately prepared for the next few months. While your kitchen is undergoing the remodel, you’ll need to create a makeshift kitchen that enables you to prepare meals for your family. Although being without a fully functioning kitchen may seem inconvenient, with smart planning you can have peace of mind throughout the construction process. Follow along as we share how to prepare your home for a kitchen remodel.

Sort and Declutter Your Kitchen

Before your kitchen remodel can begin, you will need to clear out everything from the cabinets, drawers, and countertops — including plates, glassware, flatware, small appliances, etc. As you remove these items, sort them into labeled bins so you can easily find anything you need throughout the remodel. You should also determine what items you will need for your makeshift kitchen, such as flatware or small appliances like a microwave, toaster, or air fryer. Anything that you use relatively infrequently, such as platters, holiday-themed dinnerware, or specialty bakeware, should be stored away so as to not clutter your small working kitchen.

Create a Temporary Kitchen

Unfortunately, most homes don’t have a backup kitchen somewhere else in the house. This means that while your kitchen is being remodeled, you’re going to need to find a way to make scrumptious meals for the family. While you can eat out at restaurants or order takeout, that can get old after a while — not to mention expensive. Instead, you’ll need to set up a makeshift kitchen in another area of your home, such as the dining room, where you can make breakfast, prepare school lunches, and cook a family dinner.

To make your temporary kitchen, we recommend building an area with ample “counter space” for you to prep food and to store the small appliances that you’ll be relying on. You may opt to include standalone shelvings or plastic drawers to store dry goods, disposable plates and flatware, and anything else you may need. While decluttering your main kitchen, consider which items you should be holding onto in the meantime. You will likely need items like Tupperware containers, foil, and plastic wrap, and kitchen tools like can openers, cooking utensils, and mixing bowls. The goal is to create a workable space that isn’t cluttered, only having the few supplies you need to get by during this inconvenient time.

Pro Tip #1: Since you likely won’t have access to a working oven or stove, it can be helpful to plan out some of your meals ahead of time. Doing so allows you to determine which small appliances are a must for your temporary kitchen and which you can do without since space is limited. Look for recipes that call for a slow cooker, air fryer, electric griddle, microwave, or toaster oven so you can still prepare homemade meals.

Pro Tip #2: Keep in mind that you won’t have access to a kitchen sink or dishwasher. This means that you will have limited space to handwash dinnerware or kitchen tools if you get dirty. Instead of using your bathroom sink or bathtub to clean dishes after every meal, consider stocking up on disposable plates, cups, and utensils until you’re back in your remodeled kitchen.

Switch Up Your Grocery List

Depending on the size of the refrigerator in your temporary kitchen, you may be lacking the fridge or freezer space you need to keep your groceries fresh. During the construction phase, you may want to stock up on nonperishable snacks so you don’t have to worry about them taking up prime real estate in your refrigerator or going bad. Items such as pasta, sauce, canned goods, peanut butter, crackers, and trail mix can make great, quick snacks without the worry that they’re going to go bad.

If you still have access to a full-sized refrigerator, you can bring any fresh or frozen meat you already have to your temporary kitchen. However, if you will be working out of a small refrigerator, we recommend working any meat in your fridge into your meals in the days leading up to your kitchen remodel so you don’t need to transfer anything that will spoil to the temporary kitchen.

Be Prepared for the Unexpected

Something important to keep in mind is that the timeline for your kitchen remodel may change throughout the process. While that might mean you’ll have access to your beautiful kitchen a bit early, in all likelihood, if the timeline is moving, it’s likely moving back. No matter the cost of your kitchen remodel, things happen and timelines can change. Remodeling can be extremely stressful, especially because you’re already feeling displaced in your temporary kitchen. Try to stay relaxed and remember that it will all work out — you’ll soon be cooking tasty meals in your newly remodeled kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I live in my house during a kitchen remodel?

Yes, in most instances you and your family will not be displaced from your home for a kitchen remodel. If your kitchen remodel is part of a whole-home renovation, you may be required to leave the premises. However, with a standard kitchen remodel you can live at home and will not be allowed to access the construction zone.

Should I move out during my kitchen remodel?

This usually comes down to personal preference. There are certain situations where it may make sense for your family to move out of your home while undergoing a kitchen remodel. If you or your partner work from home or you have a new baby, you may need peace and quiet during the day — that is not something you’ll be able to get since your kitchen will be under construction!

What appliances do I need in a temporary kitchen?

When determining which appliances you should bring to your temporary kitchen, it’s important to think about how you’re currently using your kitchen tools. Do you rely on a cup of coffee every morning? You’ll want to pack a coffee maker. Do you use the toaster that’s been sitting in the back of your pantry for a few months? If it’s not something you aren’t using weekly, if not daily, you shouldn’t bring it to your temporary kitchen. Consider appliances such as a coffee maker, electric kettle, toaster oven, microwave, slow cooker, air fryer, smokeless grill, or griddle.

How long does a kitchen remodel last?

You may be wondering how long you will be expected to use your temporary kitchen. Unfortunately, this can vary depending on how large or small your kitchen remodel is. On average, you can expect a kitchen remodel to take anywhere between 3 to 5 months.