So, the date is set and your renovation is starting soon! There are two key things to keep in mind to prepare your house for the disruption:

1. Where will you put kitchen items during the renovation?

2. What will you eat and cook on during the renovation?

First, let’s figure out where all of that stuff is going to go. Here are a couple suggestions from my recent experience.

1. Clear a space in your home for boxes of kitchen products. My husband and I used the dining room. If you can find a space that is tucked away, the boxes will feel less disruptive.

2. Don’t forget about the fridge! Make sure to empty it if you are getting a new one. If you aren’t replacing the fridge, talk to the contractor to see if you can keep it plugged in. We did that, and the contractor worked around it, which was helpful.

3. Pack up! We love packaways—these are foldable, reusable, durable boxes.

   • Pack similar items together (for example, put dishes in one box, and spices in another).

   • If you have the time, purge as you pack. There’s no need to store the mug you never use during the renovation! Ask yourself: “Do I use this often? Am I excited to find a spot for it in my new kitchen?”

   • Label your boxes, and place and stack them in your free spot.

Now, make a plan about what and how you will eat while your kitchen is out of commission.

1. Invest in a hotplate. This is great for the days that you’d rather not get take-out. You can whip up some soup or an omelet. You may have to rinse it in the bathroom sink, but a drain catcher can save your pipes.

2. Go with temporary tableware. Another way to save your pipes (and your sanity) is to stock up on paper cups, plates, and disposable silverware.

Now it’s renovation time! Be patient, and expect some hiccups—you never know what you’ll find behind the walls. Our contractor told us to prepare for extra costs of approximately 10 percent of the original renovation quote. That helped manage our expectations…and our budget.

The renovation is done! Here are some steps we suggest for putting it together again.

1. Make an inventory of the items you have. This can be as detailed as you want. If counting item by item is too much for you, general categories are helpful (silverware, drinking glasses, bowls, plates).

2. Start thinking about how much space the items need and whether they are best in a drawer or cupboard. Use sticky notes to temporarily label the drawer, cabinet, or shelf.

3. Put things away! Use the kitchen for a week and stay flexible. You can always shift things around if your first placement doesn’t seem right.

4. Once you feel confident with the placement of items, purchase dividers, bins, and organizerswhere helpful. Make sure to measure your spaces first.

Feeling stuck? Give us a call and ask us how we can help!