5 Tips for Living Through A Kitchen Remodel

Whether you have hungry kids, hungry spouses, or hungry roommates, the kitchen is often the hub of your home. Oftentimes, households outgrow the size of their kitchens and some extra cabinet space, an island, a bar area, or updated countertops are needed. The sky’s the limit for the kitchen of your dreams. It’ll be well worth it in the end, but living with limited kitchen space during a remodel can be difficult. If you’re embarking on a kitchen remodel, consider these easy ways to keep your family full and happy during your home renovations.

Before: Clean out or stock up your freezer

During your kitchen remodel, you may or may not have access to your freezer. If your freezer will be accessible, make a few large meals leading up to the remodel and freeze them for the coming weeks. This way you’ll have access to home cooked meals without the cooking. If you won’t have freezer access, this is a great time thaw your freezer’s contents. This means eating those frozen pizzas and defrosting your backup bag of frozen vegetables. You’ll have a few easy dinners and won’t waste any food when you unplug your refrigerator.  

Before: Stock up the pantry

Taking a trip to Costco or Sam’s Club before your renovation to fill your pantry is another easy way to prepare. Having several non-refrigerated snack options at the ready will keep your kids happy and help them avoid climbing around kitchen construction to get snacks. Getting some disposable, compostable plates and utensils will make it much easier to function without a dishwasher or kitchen sink.

During: Plan menus that don’t require much cooking and pre-prep

During your remodel, planning menus that don’t require much cooking and pre-prep is another easy way to have great meals and avoid spending an arm and a leg on takeout. This can include making salads with pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, picking up fresh pasta salads and deli options, or opting for dinner kits where you just add vegetables or pasta. You can also keep an eye out for local restaurant coupons and weeknight deals, or try new delivery services that offer discounts on your first order.

During: Leverage the Barbecue and the Crock Pot

If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere moderately warm during your remodel, this is a great time to break out the barbecue. From salmon, to chicken, to vegetables and more, grilling is an easy, healthy alternative to cooking in the kitchen. From tasty ribs to s’mores for the kids, this is an easy way to have great tasting food with little prep while your kitchen is out of service. If barbecue isn’t an option during your remodel, using a crock pot is another solution for home cooked meals without the kitchen. All the crockpot needs is a few ingredients and an outlet so setting this up in another area of your house can be an additional solution.

After: Enjoy Your New Space with your family

Finding ways around using your kitchen during a remodel can seem daunting, but there are many easy solutions and it will be well worth it in the end. Your kitchen is the hub of your home, and we’re here to help you dream up the perfect space. From minor updates to large scale renovations, Harjo Construction is here for home remodels of all kinds. To learn more about our services or to get a free cost estimate, contact us today!