how to live without a kitchen during a renovation

set up a temporary kitchen before demolition

The best way to make a renovation easier is to prepare your temporary kitchen before your old kitchen comes down.

Choose a safe, practical spot with access to power and nearby water. A laundry, dining area or another suitable space can work well. Set up a fridge, sturdy surface for food preparation, storage tubs and the basic utensils you use every day.

Think about your daily routine. You will need somewhere to prepare food, store ingredients, make drinks and clean up. Setting everything up before demolition means you can keep moving once your kitchen is out of action.

A simple checklist includes:

1. Choose a safe location with power.

2. Set up your fridge and food storage.

3. Add a sturdy preparation surface.

4. Gather essential utensils and appliances.

5. Plan where you will wash and dry dishes.

keep your temporary kitchen setup simple

You do not need to recreate your entire kitchen. A few versatile appliances can cover most everyday meals while your renovation is underway.

A microwave, kettle and toaster are a good starting point. Depending on your space and what is safe and suitable for your home, you could also add an air fryer, portable oven or BBQ.

Keep appliances you use most often within easy reach. Store everything else away to avoid clutter. The goal is to create a temporary setup that is easy to use, clean and pack away when your new kitchen is ready.

plan easy meals before your renovation starts

Meal planning can make living without a kitchen much less stressful. Before demolition, batch cook and freeze a few family favourites so you have ready-to-heat meals when cooking becomes difficult.

Keep meals simple during the renovation. Salads, BBQ meals, microwave vegetables, sandwiches and other low-prep options can help reduce the amount of cooking and washing-up you need to do.

It is also worth planning easy breakfasts and lunches in advance. Keep everyday items such as cereal, bread, snacks and drinks together so you are not constantly searching through boxes.

The aim is not to create restaurant-quality meals. It is to make feeding yourself and your household as easy as possible while your new kitchen comes together.

plan washing-up, water and food storage

A temporary kitchen works best when washing-up and food storage are planned from the start.

If your kitchen sink is unavailable, a suitable laundry or bathroom sink may provide a temporary option for washing dishes, provided the area is kept hygienic and is appropriate for food-related washing. A washing-up tub can also make transporting dirty dishes easier.

Keep a drying rack nearby and use sealed containers for dry food and leftovers. Your fridge will be one of the most important parts of your temporary setup, so make sure it is easy to access.

Think about where clean dishes, food, rubbish and cleaning products will go. A little organisation can make a big difference when your normal kitchen storage is out of action.

reduce dust and keep the temporary kitchen safe

Keep your temporary kitchen separate from construction dust wherever possible. Dust can quickly turn a simple meal into a bigger clean-up job.

Keep food covered and stored in sealed containers. Manage appliance cords carefully so they do not create trip hazards, and make sure appliances have adequate ventilation and are used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Avoid placing cooking appliances in areas that are unsuitable for their use. If you are unsure about electrical, plumbing or appliance requirements, seek appropriate professional advice rather than improvising.

make the renovation easier to live through

A little planning can make the renovation feel much more manageable. Keep a calendar showing key stages, including when plumbing and electrical services need to be available and when your new kitchen is expected to be ready.

Create a small "daily essentials" box with the things you use most. Plates, cups, cutlery, tea, coffee, basic cooking utensils and cleaning supplies can all live together.

It is also worth planning your new kitchen before demolition begins. Kaboodle's planning tools, including the 3D kaboodle planner, can help you visualise your design, explore layouts and work through your kitchen project before installation.

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