Surviving Your Kitchen Renovation:
Tips and Local Services in Ottawa
A kitchen renovation can significantly enhance the value and functionality of your home, but it’s no secret that the process can be disruptive. Daily routines can quickly become challenging without access to your usual cooking and dining spaces. Fortunately, with some planning and the right resources, you can minimize the inconvenience and keep your household running smoothly. This guide offers practical tips for surviving a kitchen renovation in Ottawa, including utilizing local service providers to ease your daily life during this transition.
Set Up a Temporary Kitchen
One of the first steps when preparing for a kitchen renovation is to set up a temporary kitchen area in another part of your home. This could be in a dining room, basement, or even a corner of your living room. Equip it with essentials like a microwave, a small refrigerator, a hot plate, and a coffee maker. Camping stoves can also be useful for preparing simple meals outdoors during the warmer months and don’t forget about your BBQ!
Remember to include a table or countertop for food preparation and a place to wash dishes. We often see clients set up their temporary kitchen by the laundry sink or in the dining room with a tub outside the backdoor for washing dishes.
A functional temporary kitchen will help maintain some normalcy during the renovation process.
Stay Organized
Keeping your temporary space organized can help reduce stress and make your living situation more comfortable.
Use storage bins and shelves to keep kitchen supplies and other essentials neatly stored and easily accessible. Labelling these bins can also help you and your family locate items quickly, reducing frustration and keeping your temporary setup functional.
Plan Simple Meals
During a kitchen renovation, simplicity is key. Plan meals that require minimal cooking and preparation. Think about easy recipes like sandwiches, salads, and microwaveable meals. This is not only convenient but also helps to reduce the need for extensive kitchen equipment. Stock up on disposable utensils and plates to save on washing up. Additionally, consider batch cooking and freezing meals before the renovation, which can be easily reheated in a microwave or toaster oven.
Using Meal PREP AND DELIVERY Services
Ottawa offers a variety of local meal delivery and meal prep services that can be invaluable during a kitchen renovation. If you don’t want to rely on UberEats or DoorDash, here are a few options to keep you fed and happy:
Services like Goodfood, HelloFresh, and Chef’s Plate deliver meal kits that include pre-measured ingredients and recipes. These kits can be easily prepared in a makeshift kitchen.
For ready-to-eat options, local businesses such as Red Apron and Take Another Bite offer delicious, home-cooked meals that only need reheating. National services like Factor will also deliver ready-to-eat meals to your door. Utilizing these services can drastically reduce the stress of meal planning and preparation during your renovation.
Maintain Good Ventilation
This one may not be as obvious, but it’s equally important!
Construction work can often create dust and fumes that may permeate your home. Maintaining good ventilation is important to keep the air in your temporary living spaces clean and healthy. Use fans and keep windows open where possible. Additionally, ensure that your renovation team uses dust barriers and cleans up at the end of each day to minimize the spread of dust and debris.
Keep Communication Open with Your Contractors
Effective communication is essential for a smooth renovation process. Regular updates and check-ins can help ensure that the renovation stays on track and any issues are addressed promptly. Discussing your expectations and concerns upfront can prevent misunderstandings and make the overall experience more manageable.
Be Patient and Keep the End Goal in Mind
It’s important to remember that the renovation is temporary, and the end result will be worth the inconvenience. Keep a visual reminder of your renovation plans or pictures of your desired outcome to help keep the end goal in mind.
This can serve as a motivational boost when the renovation process feels overwhelming.
Surviving a kitchen renovation requires patience, preparation, and the right resources. By setting up a functional temporary kitchen, planning simple meals, and utilizing local meal services, you can significantly ease the disruption to your daily routines. Maintaining good communication with contractors and organizing your space will also contribute to a more positive renovation experience. With these strategies, you can look forward to your new kitchen while keeping your household running smoothly throughout the process.
