Hi guys, it’s been a while! We recently had a small kitchen renovation, and after living through the disruption, I’ve picked up some valuable tips that made the process so much easier for us. I’ll be sharing some after pictures soon, once I get around to styling everything! If you’re about to embark on a kitchen renovation while still living at home, these tips are definitely for you. Not having a functioning kitchen can be more stressful than you expect, but with a bit of preparation, you can make the experience a lot smoother. Here's how to get ready:

1. Organise & label everything: Before the renovation the first thing you want to do is to pack up your kitchen in clearly labelled boxes (we just got cheap and cheerful ones from our local B&Q) or storage containers. This will make it easier to find what you need.

2. Get a time estimate: One of the most important things you want to find out from your tradespeople and kitchen supplier is how long the renovation will take and how long it will take for your kitchen and any appliances to be delivered as this will help you plan meals, organise your schedule, and mentally prepare for the disruption.

3. Pre-cook and freeze meals: Another thing you might find helpful is to pre-cook meals that can be easily reheated, before the appliances are taken out, this will save you from daily cooking stress.

4. Invest in temporary cooking solutions: During our small kitchen renovation our Baby Belling was a life saver, and I highly recommend this small, portable stove it allowed us to still cook simple meals whilst the kitchen was being done. I would also recommend disposable plates, cups, and cutlery as they will reduce the hassle of washing up.

5. Plan for water disruptions: Keeping consistent and constant communication between yourself and your trades is crucial especially for things like plumbing work, find out when the water will be turned off as this will also be an added disruption. Also, stock up on bottled water if you won’t have access to your regular supply.

6. Consider alternative living arrangements: If your renovation is extensive, I would suggest looking at staying at an Airbnb, with family, or renting somewhere temporarily. This can save a lot of stress, especially if the project will take months, because nothing ever stays on schedule with renovations.

7. Factor in takeaways & be patient: I would also highly suggest setting aside a budget for takeaways, as cooking every night might not be realistic. And finally, be patient! The renovation process is messy and inconvenient, but once your kitchen is done, you’ll love it.

What tips can you share if you have had a kitchen renovation?