How to live happily through your kitchen renovation project...
A kitchen makeover can be a major upheaval, particularly if you’re extending, knocking down walls, adding new windows or overhauling the plumbing and electrics.
It’s easy to forget how much time you normally spend in the kitchen and how integral it is to pretty much everything that happens at home. Some people choose to move out completely during a kitchen re-design, but that’s not necessarily easy (or in the budget) for everyone.
There are lots of top tips we’d always recommend following if you’re embarking on a kitchen remodel. Things that’ll ultimately mean you’ll feel more in control of the project, have less mess and drama - and will make day to day life in your kitchen building site so much easier…
Get an understanding of the kitchen project plan.
Making sure you know what’s happening and when makes it so much easier to stay on top of things. Understanding when power or water supplies will be interrupted, when major demolition is occurring and when deliveries might need to be managed means you can work out when you need to be in (or out) and when you’ll need alternative water and heating solutions - or a takeaway tea! At Blackbrook Kitchens, keeping clients up to date with the project plan is always a priority and we’ll always discuss what each stage realistically involves.
Pack up the non-essentials.
In order to reduce the clutter, keep things safe and allow for the fact that you’re likely to have very little storage for a while, it’s best to pack up all your surplus kitchen accessories, gadgets and equipment so you’re just left with daily essentials. Whilst on the subject of decluttering - this is also the perfect time to consider if you really do need seven tin-openers and that giant spiraliser. If the answer is no, don’t pack them up, send them to the charity shop or pass them on.
Set up a temporary kitchen to tide you over.
If you’re going to lose most of your appliances and prep areas for a significant time, it might be best to set up a temporary kitchen away from where all the work’s happening. You may have another room that’s perfect to house your fridge and cooker and a temporary food prep area… a utility or office perhaps? If it’s summer you might be able to use the garage or even outdoors with a gazebo.
Be prepared for the mess.
Yes, the kitchen space will obviously look a lot worse before it looks better (which can be a shock in itself), but the work is also likely to create a lot of dust and mess - and not just in the kitchen itself. It may be that the garden gets rather more well trodden than usual, dust infiltrates the rest of the house and you find you’ve tracked dirt to all four corners. Everyone working on the project will do their very best to keep things tidy and organised but you may find that your usually spotless house isn’t quite up to standard throughout the project. Rest assured that it’ll all be worth it once your fabulous new kitchen is unveiled.
Plan meals in advance.
There are lots of ways to make cooking easier whilst your kitchen project is underway (and we don’t just mean popping to the pub). Using a slow cooker, microwave or BBQ can be a great alternative way to prep supper and if you’ve thought ahead and filled up the freezer with batch cooked meals - so much the better. Letting your friends and family know when the times are that you’re going to have most difficulty is a good plan. You might be invited to join them or they might even supply a food parcel or two.
Create an alternative sink.
Being without a sink can be a bit of a challenge, particularly if your dishwasher is also out of action. You can fashion a solution by adding a drying rack across your bath and popping in a couple of sturdy washing up bowls, so you can use the bath as a washing up station.
Never feel you can’t ask questions.
Throughout the kitchen redesign project, you’ll find it much easier to cope if you know exactly what’s happening and whether everything’s on track. If there are things you’re not sure about or are bothering you, it’s always best to discuss them with the project team rather than keep quiet and let them fester or be overlooked.
Choose a kitchen designer that comes highly recommended.
At Blackbrook Kitchens, we always keep our client’s satisfaction at the heart of things. Managing expectation, keeping you informed, being realistic and keeping things as tidy and organised as possible are all key parts of every new kitchen project. We can help come up with the best solutions to keep you and your family sane throughout (whatever the scale of your kitchen redesign) so why not get in touch today, book a kitchen design consultation and get the ball rolling.