Congratulations! You’ve decided to pull the trigger and demo that __(fill in the blank)__. It’s a milestone, to be certain. But the bigger milestone? Living through the renovation dust. It’s not for the faint of heart, but we’re here to tell you it can be done, and it can be done with relative serenity. So before packing your bags and moving to your in-laws, consider a few tips:
Designate one space to be your clean, functional getaway: It’s no mystery that renovation is codeword for demolition. Designate one room in your home that will remain untouched. Treat this space as your sanctuary. DO NOT allow it to become a “catch all” and fill up with items that seem to have no other place. Let me say it again, keep the space void of anything that doesn’t get daily use. Your laptop? Great. A cozy bedside lamp and your favorite rug? Absolutely. The rain coat you use twice a year? Nope. The box of family pictures from 1992? You get the idea.
Kitchen Sanity: While waiting for your new, clean and open kitchen to become a reality, it’s dire you don’t forget to eat. The team at Swatts & Co. has lived through more than one kitchen renovation, and the resounding piece of advice is be prepared. Below we’ve divided kitchen prep into four parts. Albeit, we do recommend saving the complicated paella recipe until your kitchen is finished.
Water: determine your source of water – whether it’s the outdoor hose for washing dishes or a bathroom sink, make a decision that it’s the go-to source for h2o.
Storage: plastic tubs with bins are a great way to store your pantry and food prep items. It creates a barrier to the renovation dust with the added benefit of being easy to move around. Sort your cans, your foil, your flatware and cooking utensils in easy-to-find dividers. Again, organization will be your best friend.
Appliances. We recommend at the very least a microwave and/or a toaster over as well as a minifridge. Are you feeling like a college student living in dorm yet? Good. If the weather is warm, plan your meals around grilling season – and in the colder months opt for a plug-in skillet.
Disposable dishes: We’re a huge fan of the growing marketplace of biodegradable one-time use dishware. Technology has come so far and it is high time we say farewell to plastic forks and coated paper plates in favor of a earth-friendly option. Here’s a quick round up of our favorite biodegradable kitchen products
Biodegradable Plates
Flatware
Compostable food wrap
Compostable Food Storage
Storage: As much as you can, put away items that are not part of your daily regime. We’re talking art, board games, throw pillows and furniture – all the things you love to be surrounded by when your space isn’t under construction. Not only will it simplify the zones, it will protect your items from being broken, lost and filthy.
Plastic totes are a great way to keep kitchen items out of the dust.
Plan: The best you can plan ahead, the better. Make a list of easy meals (to make and clean up). Plan in advance what to wear for the day (boxes of clothes will disappear).
Layout clothing and work items the night before - it will save you a headache.
Set expectations: Construction always takes longer than promised. When you have a project projected to take three weeks, plan on six. It’s easier on the psyche to celebrate the completion early than lament a project dragging on late.
Have you lived through a renovation and have additional tips? Share them with us!