When you decide to remodel your kitchen, many people think of the end product, but not the process. When it comes to kitchen remodels, however, it may take days or even weeks for everything to be finished. That can create a secondary strain on your budget (not to mention your belt) as you proceed to order take-out for every dinner until your kitchen is done.
Thankfully, with just a little planning, you can easily make it through your kitchen model with your budget and waistline intact. If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, here are six pro tips to make the process run smoothly.
Make sure you have easy-to-prepare foods in the pantry
Having quick snacks and grab-and-go food options that don’t require access to your fridge or stove can make everyone’s life easier. It can be difficult to plan out what to eat during a kitchen remodel, but making a trip to Costco or Sam’s Club in advance and making sure you have many low-preparation foods at the ready will be beneficial in the long run.
Pre-cook meals and freeze them
If you can easily access your freezer, the days before the remodel begins are the ideal time to pre-make meals for your family. There are a number of easy freezer recipes that taste great and will avoid the need to cook down the road. If you won’t have regular access to your kitchen, consider investing in (or borrowing) a highly efficient chest freezer that can be kept in another room, such as your garage or basement.
Focus on easy and fast meal preparation
If you’re remodeling during the spring, summer, or fall, grilling outside is a great solution to not having kitchen access. The more meals you can prepare without using your counter tops, stove, and oven, the better. Your slow cooker should also be getting a work-out. You can throw ingredients in before you leave for work in the morning and come home to a hot meal, ready for your family to enjoy. Not only will you keep everyone out of the kitchen, you’ll reduce the number of dishes you have to clean up afterward.
Sandwiches and other low-prep foods are your best friend
Everything from chopping produce to boiling water can be difficult when your kitchen is undergoing renovations. Plan meals for the length of the construction and remodel that can be prepared without your kitchen appliances. Chances are, your grocery store sells pre-cut fruits and veggies. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of these time-saving offerings!
Disposable cutlery and plates can be lifesavers
While it’s generally not ideal to use disposable items for daily needs, your remodel is an exception to that rule. Invest in a box of recyclable plastic cutlery and paper plates (avoid Styrofoam, as recycling that can be difficult or impossible). Rinse everything off and send it off for recycling. That way you won’t have to worry about whether your dishwasher is hooked up or needing to wash dishes by hand, which can be a time-consuming and water-wasting exercise.
Enjoy your new kitchen and get life back to normal
By reducing your use of the kitchen space, you will hopefully eliminate a number of potential delays to the completion of your remodel project. The fewer times you need to interrupt the workers and the fewer accommodations that they need to provide for you, the faster they can finish their work. Once they are finished and the space has been cleaned, you and your family can bask in the beautiful glow of your fully remodeled kitchen. You will likely have an increased appreciation for the convenience it provides, to say nothing of enjoying the newly redone space.
Kitchen remodels can seem daunting, but they’re well worth it in the end. To see our kitchen portfolio or learn more about Vertical Construction, visit our website today!
