The decision to renovate your kitchen is just one step in the process.
If you’ve read many of our previous blogs, you know that we talk a lot about why you should consider remodeling, the benefits of remodeling, etc. But, what we don’t often talk about is what you need to do once you make the decision to remodel. After you’ve hired the right contractor and know what you want out of your remodeling project, your job is, unfortunately, not done yet. Any kitchen remodeling project can have a big impact on your day-to-day life, but there are a lot of steps you can take to minimize the impact and sail through the completion of the project with flying colors. Here are a few tips from our kitchen remodeling experts in Northern Virginia on how to prepare your home and your kitchen for renovation:
#1. Make a temporary kitchen in your home.
Renovating some areas of your home is no big deal, because it doesn’t interrupt your daily life very much, but that can’t be said for your kitchen. You use your kitchen daily, so while it’s being remodeled, you’ll be better off if you designate a temporary kitchen in your home. Creating makeshift, temporary kitchen in your home can help to give you the functionality, even if it isn’t quite as effective as a complete kitchen.
#2. Think about the menu ahead of time.
If you don’t have access to your oven or your stove during your renovation, it’s significantly going to decrease the number of meal options you have at your disposal. But, thinking about alternative menu options ahead of time will help to ensure that you have plenty of delicious, healthy choices available still. Some alternatives to cooking on a stove or in an oven include grilling, making salads, cooking in a crockpot, cooking in a toaster oven, cooking in a microwave, etc. There are still plenty of ways to eat healthy, balanced meals, even if you don’t have access to the stove or oven.
#3. Set aside items you use all the time.
To retain your sanity during the renovation, you’ll want to pack up a lot of the appliances, equipment, dishes, cutlery and accessories that you currently have in your kitchen, and store them until the kitchen is ready to be set up again. But, you’ll want to make sure that you keep the things you use the most convenient and in your temporary kitchen. These may include the coffee maker, mugs, electric skillets, ricer cookers, etc. — basically anything you currently use on a regular basis.
#4. Store infrequently used items.
Any items in your kitchen that you only use sporadically should be carefully packed away and stored in a safe place until the renovation is complete. Think of it this way, if you don’t use it on any given week, you’ll probably be able to live without it during the remodel. These items probably will include your fancy china, holiday serving platters, punch bowls, turkey pans, etc. Moving these items to storage is a great way to prevent your home from getting overly cluttered during the renovation.
Want to learn more steps for preparing your home for a kitchen remodel? If so, stay tuned for our next blog!