10 Tips for Navigating Your Kitchen Renovation & Living in a Construction Zone
When planning for your kitchen remodel, the excitement of envisioning a beautiful, functional space often takes center stage. Creating the perfect kitchen design, choosing cabinet styles, and optimizing your layout are crucial steps that require careful consideration. However, as you prepare to breathe new life into your kitchen, it's equally essential to address some often overlooked aspects that can make the renovation process smoother and more manageable.
While your choice of cabinets from our collection will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in your kitchen's transformation, we'd like to shine a spotlight on the practical side of renovation. These often-overlooked tips will help you navigate living in a construction zone, ensuring that you stay sane, comfortable, and organized throughout your renovation journey. Whether you've chosen the DIY remodeling route or will be using a contractor to complete your renovation, your review of the following tips could save you unnecessary aggravation during the course of your kitchen project.
Tip 1: Safety First
Prioritize safety during your renovation, keeping tools and materials out of reach of children and pets. Be vigilant for potential hazards such as exposed electrical outlets, cords, and wires that can become trip hazards. Keep an eye out for boards with protruding nails or screws, which could pose a threat if stepped on. The safest work environment is one that is cleaned routinely, often multiple times a day, to minimize the risk of accidents. By maintaining a safe and organized workspace, you can ensure the well-being of your loved ones and the smooth progress of your renovation project.
Tip 2. Protect & Store Your Belongings
During a kitchen renovation, safeguarding your furniture, belongings, and flooring from dust and debris is crucial. To achieve this, think about renting storage space or utilizing large plastic bins for your kitchen items. Additionally, protect your flooring against dust and scratches with materials like specialized paper for hard floors or carpet-friendly plastics. These can be purchased at your local home store
Tip 3. Seal Off and Contain Dust
Maintaining a clean living space throughout your kitchen renovation involves smart strategies. Create a containment zone with plastic sheeting to isolate the construction area, reducing dust migration. Keep a close eye on your HVAC system, as it can transport dust around your house. Increase the frequency of filter changes during the renovation, and consider temporarily disabling your heating or air conditioning during peak dust production periods. These measures will help preserve your living environment during the renovation process.
Tip 4. Plan and Set Up a Temporary Kitchen Space
When embarking on your kitchen renovation journey, creating a makeshift kitchen area is crucial for maintaining your daily routines. Ensure you have space to plug in essential appliances like a microwave, toaster oven, and a portable stovetop. Stock this area with basic utensils and dishware. Make sure your refrigerator is accommodated and on a separate electrical circuit, so it won't be affected by the renovation work. Setting up your temporary kitchen away from the construction zone ensures you have a functional and efficient space for meal preparation.
Tip 5. Meal Planning & Preparation
A functioning kitchen during renovation is a valuable asset. Plan for easy-to-prepare and no-cook meals. Slow cookers or Instant Pots can be your allies, providing convenient cooking options. Keep in mind that cooking facilities might be limited, so adapt your meal plans accordingly. Consider cooking some meals ahead of time that can be frozen and easily reheated as needed. While dining out might be an option, it can strain your budget and waistline, especially if your renovation takes longer than expected.
Tip 6. Dishwashing & Disposable Tableware
During a kitchen renovation, it's always great to be environmentally conscious, but this might be a time when convenience takes precedence. Consider using disposable plates, cups, and utensils to minimize dishwashing, especially if you lack appropriate means to wash dishes. Additionally, be mindful of where you'll be able to wash dishes. If your bathroom sink is large enough, it can work as a makeshift kitchen sink. Alternatively, utilize a utility sink in the laundry room or even the bathtub. If your sink area isn't large enough for your dishes, follow the time-tested system of using a pair of dishpans—one for washing and one for rinsing, just like grandma used to do.
Tip 7. Budget for Unexpected Costs
Even with the most meticulous planning, unexpected expenses can arise during a kitchen renovation. Ensure you have a contingency budget to accommodate unforeseen costs, whether it's hidden structural issues, design changes, or other surprises that may pop up. A general recommendation is to allocate 10-20% of the overall renovation cost to this fund. While this percentage isn't an exact science, it's always better to be prepared than to find yourself over budget and unable to complete your project. Having this financial cushion will help you manage unexpected expenses without causing undue stress.
Tip 8. Stay Organized
Keeping meticulous records of renovation schedules, expenses, and important documents in one place is crucial. It ensures that if you need to make a return, exchange, or warranty claim, you won't have to scramble to find a receipt or recall where you made a purchase. This practice should extend even after your remodel is completed. Documents to safeguard include material purchases, appliance details, remodeling contracts, and warranty information. Did you know... Prefinished Cabinets offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty on every cabinet?
Tip 9. Maintain Regular Cleaning
It's crucial to keep your work zone clean and organized during your kitchen renovation. Regular cleaning not only ensures a safe and clutter-free environment but also minimizes the risks of accidents caused by dust, debris, and poorly placed tools and materials. By routinely tidying up the work area and keeping tools and materials secure, you create a safer environment for everyone involved, reducing the chances of slips, trips, or falls. Additionally, as people walk in and out of the work zone, dust will naturally follow. Regular sweeping or vacuuming of heavily trafficked areas will help prevent this dust from tracking further into your home, maintaining a cleaner living space despite the ongoing construction.
Pro Tip: Never use your regular vacuum for construction debris. Fine dust, like that from sheetrock, can damage it. Opt for a dedicated Shop Vac or specialized vacuum instead.
Tip 10. Celebrate Milestones
As your kitchen renovation progresses, consider commemorating each milestone achieved. Take pictures to create a visual timeline of the transformation, making it easy to see how far you've come. You can create a slideshow or album to share with friends and family, celebrating the progress. Treat yourself to a special dinner out or a relaxing evening in once you've reached significant milestones. If you're tackling the renovation as a DIY project, don't underestimate the value of a well-deserved nap as a rewarding break from the hard work. And remember, nothing says celebration quite like cake!
Bonus Tip: Stay Positive
A renovation project, while exciting, can come with its fair share of challenges. It's easy to get caught up in the mess and disruptions, but try to focus on the bigger picture. Remind yourself of the beautiful and functional kitchen you're working toward. Embrace the journey, learn from the setbacks, and keep your eyes on the end result. Positivity not only makes the process smoother but also turns your renovation adventure into a memorable experience.
Ready to Start Shopping for Kitchen Cabinets? Prefinished Cabinets offers a large variety of quality wood cabinets all backed by our Limited Lifetime Warranty. Choose from Traditional Face-Framed Cabinets or Modern, Frameless Euro-style Cabinets. With over 250 cabinets to choose from, you're sure to find fantastic cabinetry for any project. Take advantage of our FREE Kitchen Design and How to Measure Guide. Just let us know when you're ready to get started!
