Surviving your Kitchen Remodel

Renovating your kitchen can be a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s an exciting but challenging time, so here are some essential tips to help you navigate the days between with ease:

1. Triage Your Kitchen

Before demolition, sort your kitchen items into three categories: for storage, for your temporary kitchen, and to toss/donate/recycle. Take your time with this process, ensuring everything's out of the kitchen by demolition day. Label your storage boxes clearly – you never know when you might need to find something later. And remember, avoid storing these boxes in the garage (you’ll see why in tip #6).

2. Set Up a Temporary Kitchen

You’ll either need to move your fridge or get a mini fridge. Remember, space is limited, especially the freezer compartment. If you can, move your existing fridge to your temporary kitchen. Make room for essentials like a toaster, coffee maker, and a microwave. Now might be the perfect time to explore countertop cooking appliances like air fryers and pressure cookers. Limit your kitchenware to what you can handwash in one go to keep things simple.

3. Dishwashing Strategy

You’ll miss your kitchen sink more than you think. Using a bathroom or utility sink for kitchen tasks can be challenging. Plan ahead for dishwashing – where will you store the dirty dishes, soap, towels, and a drying rack? Consider a separate receptacle for food waste since you won’t have a disposal unit.

4. Control Dust and Chaos

Expect dust. At Arcadia Kitchen and Bath, we minimize it by covering floors and using plastic sheeting around the demolition area. These barriers, with zippered entries, help contain dust, but it’s wise to have dusters on hand. Also, clear the worker's path of any items you don’t want damaged.

5. Pet Care Plan

Ensure your pets have a safe, quiet space away from the renovation. If you have dogs, consider crate training for their safety. For cats, especially indoor-only ones, set up their necessities in a room away from the construction. Let us know about any specific pet-related needs to ensure the safety and comfort of all your family members.

6. Goodbye, Garage!

Your garage will transform into a multipurpose space for the renovation, housing tools, materials, and more. It’s likely to get dusty, so cover or move items you want to keep clean. This might mean a pre-renovation garage clean-out is in order.

7. Document the Journey

Take plenty of 'before' photos – you may not believe it now, but you’ll want to remember how it all started. Continue documenting the transformation. We’ve included a section in our client binder for you to print and organize your favorite before, during, and after photos.

Renovations are a significant undertaking, but with these tips, you can make the experience less stressful and more rewarding. Remember, the journey might be long, but the destination – a beautifully remodeled kitchen – is well worth it!