You’ve finally decided to embark on the exciting journey of a kitchen remodel. While the end result promises a beautiful and functional space, the road ahead can seem daunting. After all, no one relishes the thought of washing dishes by hand in the bathroom, but fear not! With a little preparation, you can navigate the construction phase smoothly, and ensure a stress-free transition.
Conquering the Chaos: Preparing for Your Kitchen Remodel in 4 Simple Steps
The key to a successful remodel lies in the planning, and a significant part of that planning falls on you, the homeowner. Before the demolition crew arrives, here are four crucial steps to take to get your home remodel-ready and conquer the chaos of a kitchen remodel:
1. Set Up Your Temporary Kitchen – Several Days Before the Demo!
During the remodel, your once-bustling kitchen will become a construction zone. While some brave souls attempt a full culinary relocation, most opt for a more practical approach: using essential items elsewhere in the house.
The key here is to be meticulous. Identify the things you use every day – the microwave, dishes, utensils, your trusty coffee maker. Can you survive a few weeks without the toaster? Maybe grabbing breakfast on-the-go becomes your new routine. Be honest with yourself about what’s truly indispensable.
For those must-have items, designate a temporary home. A spare room, a well-organized cabinet in another area, or even a California room with a grill can become your makeshift kitchen. This will minimize clutter and keep your sanity intact. You can also buy an inexpensive hotplate that you can safely use to help through this transition.
Setting up a makeshift kitchen, days before the demo, is absolutely essential. Once the demo begins, and items are packed away, it will be difficult to find them and a pain to get to them. That’s why it is a smart idea to set up your temporary kitchen several days before demolition. Then, you can live for a few days in that environment, and identify those things that you need and maybe forgot to include.
2. Time to Pack – Preparing For Your Kitchen Remodel Means Embracing the Declutter Bug!
If your remodel is resulting in a total gut job, then you know you need to empty every single item from your kitchen. The last thing you want is for the demolition team to be handling your fine china. That makes the remodel the perfect opportunity to purge your kitchen of the unnecessary. Be honest – how many duplicate spatulas do you really need? Or do you still need that wok you bought on a whim five years ago and never used to make stir fry?
Now’s the time to say goodbye!
Sort through your drawers and cabinets with a critical eye. Toss anything broken, chipped, or simply rarely used. Donate or give away gently used items that no longer spark joy. The less you have to pack and store, the easier preparing for your kitchen remodel becomes.
Also, many homeowners use their kitchen remodel as an opportunity to get sleek, new storage containers, shiny new silverware, or gorgeous new plates; so be realistic and purge the items you plan on replacing.
3. Finding Refuge for Your Kitchen Treasures and Packing Smart
You’ve identified your essentials and ruthlessly decluttered. Now, what to do with the remaining items? Start packing!
Collect or purchase sturdy moving boxes. Pack items carefully and label them clearly – pots and pans go here, dishes go there. Don’t just throw everything in a box and hope for the best. Pack like you are moving cross-country.
Invest in good quality packing materials and take the time to label each box clearly. Include the contents and the intended location in your new kitchen. This seemingly small step will save you time and countless headaches later – no more frantically searching for that misplaced whisk when you finally have a functioning kitchen again. Your efforts to pack sensibly will absolutely pay off in the end.
4. Leave Nothing Behind
You planned and set up your temporary kitchen, you purged and donated unused items, and you carefully and neatly packed it all up. Now it needs to be stowed away. Completely.
Where you do this depends on the remodel’s estimated duration. For shorter remodels lasting a few weeks, closets, spare rooms, or even the garage can offer a temporary asylum for your boxed-up kitchenware. For longer remodels exceeding a month, consider sturdy moving boxes that can then be stacked and stored in an outdoor shed or storage container, keeping them safe and out of the way.
It is important to have plenty of room for the construction crew to do their job. So, be mindful and make sure to completely and totally give the crew every inch of space in your kitchen. It may be inconvenient, but it is essential for you to find other places to store your kitchen possessions. The crew needs to be able to do their job without worrying about ruining, destroying, or even moving your items. It may be a pain to stack boxes in your master bedroom closet, but it is far better to inconvenience you than inconvenience the construction crew.
Beyond the Basics: Partnering with Kitchen Remodeling and Construction Professionals
While these four steps to preparing for your kitchen remodel will ensure a smooth start, there’s another crucial element – working with an experienced construction and kitchen remodeling expert. A skilled contractor will assess your current space, understand your needs and preferences, and translate them into a functional and beautiful dream kitchen that fits within your budget and meets your timeline expectations.
The experts at Schatz will help you navigate decisions about layout, materials, and appliances while ensuring everything flows seamlessly. This professional guidance will not only save you time and money during the remodel but also ensure you end up with a kitchen that truly reflects your style and enhances your home.
So, take a deep breath, conquer the chaos, embrace the planning process, and get ready to transform your kitchen into a space you’ll love for years to come!
