How to feed your family while renovating your kitchen

Inside: Get real-world advice on how to survive a major kitchen renovation and how to feed your family during a kitchen renovation.

Nearly 20 years ago, we fell in love with a small 100-year-old house on a beautiful tree-lined street.

Mostly, we fell in love with the bones of the house.

Kitchen not so much.

The counter was blue, the stove was black, and the refrigerator was off-white. It was functional, but outdated. It’s clean but small.

We bought a house with the intention of renovating the kitchen. How difficult is that?

I agree!

The company we hired lowered the kitchen to the studs, pushed up the ceiling, leveled the floor, tore down the old coal chimney, opened up the walls, and found some expensive surprises along the way that wiped out the original budget. He gave it to me.

Did I mention I am also pregnant, have nausea and vomiting, and have a toddler?

Of course it was worth it. Today, I look back at my “before” photos and appreciate the larger, more modern spaces.

But it wasn’t easy. And one of the most difficult parts was feeding everyone without a working kitchen.

So I decided to take a trip down memory lane by renovating my kitchen in case I ever plan on renovating in the future and need some help getting through the process.

We also reached out to the Real Mom Nutrition Facebook community for advice. I got so many great tips that I had to share them here too.

I’ll also be sharing before and after photos of my remodel and a little “kitchen beautification” I’ve done recently.

6 Tips to Survive a Kitchen Remodel

One reader converted their garage into a makeshift kitchen

1. Build a temporary kitchen

The contractor moved an old refrigerator into the living room and set up a temporary kitchen space there with a small table, microwave, and toaster oven.

A folding table or card table will help with this. And before you put everything away, set aside a few items that will come in handy in your makeshift kitchen.

Coffee maker Cutting board Pots/frying pans Strainers Can opener Spatulas and other cooking utensils/tools Seasonings/cooking spray

Here is some advice for our readers:

“We were able to find a dedicated place to have zones for different things: a cooking area, a prep area, a place to make lunch, etc. Luckily we had a fully functional enclosed side I have a pouch.”

“We moved the refrigerator and microwave into the basement within walking distance, bought a hot plate and toaster oven, and my husband built a kitchenette.”

This is another reader’s improvised kitchen.

“We set up an improvised kitchen in the garage with a refrigerator, induction hot plate, toaster/convection oven, and microwave. We also had a clay pot and rice cooker, which was convenient.”

“We sealed off the dining room and turned it into a makeshift kitchen, with a refrigerator, table, Instant Pot, air fryer, etc. all set up and ready to access. I used paper plates, paper cups, etc., and also bought some large, sturdy plastic shelving units to use as temporary pantries (a cutting board, a few knives, etc.). I packed it in a plastic bucket. It was difficult, but I managed it!”

Our kitchen was a construction site, but at least we had a sink!

2. Keep your sink as long as possible

Everyone, myself included, agrees that dealing with dirty dishes is the worst part of a kitchen remodel. Therefore, if possible, hang it in the kitchen sink for as long as possible.

You may also find sinks that can be used in basements, bathrooms, garages, and laundry rooms. But one reader warned: “Don’t wash in the bathtub.” “It kills your back. That’s why I ended up in PT.”

Reader tip: “I stocked the freezer with crockpot dinners before work started and used a slow cooker liner.”

During the renovation, we moved this old refrigerator to the living room.

3. Rely on small appliances

Small appliances may be helpful while the oven is shut down. Things to consider are: (If you don’t have one, ask a friend or neighbor to borrow one).

Instant Pot Air Fryer George Foreman Grill Microwave Toaster Oven Hot Plate/IH Burner Electric Frying Pan Electric Griddle Camp Stove for Outdoor Cooking

Tip for readers: “In the months or weeks leading up to your renovation, be extra nice to your neighbors and friends so you can offer them a favor or invite them to dinner.”

Behind that plastic sheet was a makeshift kitchen in the living room.

4. Timing it.

If possible, plan your renovation during the warmer months when you can use the grill and eat outdoors.

Bonus: Summer is also the time when friends and neighbors travel. One reader suggested an exchange of watering the plants and picking up the mail in exchange for using the kitchen while they were gone.

Tip for readers: “Our Blackstone grill is saving me right now. You can basically do most of the things you can do on the stove in a frying pan. It’s just a griddle. It’s not just for burgers and stuff. You can also make stir-fry style dishes or breakfast hashes.”

5. Meal planning and simple ideas

Having some planning in place can help reduce stress (and I’m sure you already have plenty). If you prefer paper and pen, get my free meal planning worksheet.

Here are some reader suggestions for low-effort meals.

Costco Pre-Make Dinners, Sandwiches and Salad Kits Trader Joe’s Frozen/Microwavable Meals Pre-Make Meal Delivery Service Microwaveable Pre-Made Frozen Meals Pizza Delivery Once a Week

Consider filling plastic containers with non-perishable items that can be used for quick meals and snacks, such as:

Peanut butter Shelf-stable microwaveable rice and pasta pouches Canned foods such as canned beans, soups, vegetables, and fruit Energy bars Whole grain crackers Instant oatmeal Applesauce and fruit cups Cereals and granola

Check out my post 45+ Healthy Dorm Food Ideas for more ideas and 10 easy meals to make without a stove.

Tip for readers: “Don’t feel like you have to cook. A cold meal is fine. Treat it as an adventure.”

6. Let go of guilt.

Give yourself some grace during your renovation. Instead of beating yourself up over disposable plates and frozen dinners, put that energy into choosing new appliances and choosing from 500 different drawer handles. Here are some comments from Real Mom readers:

“Don’t try to save the environment in three months (I mean, you can use paper plates to stay sane for a few weeks) and keep your sense of humor.”

“Paper plates, cups, plastic cutlery. Shake off the guilt you think you should feel and call it ‘self-care.’ Make a list of takeout/dine-in options you’d like to try and incorporate their costs into your budget if possible. ”

“There were many times when all three meals were just sandwiches and cereal.”

“If the whole kitchen is disjointed, life becomes complicated, so keep it simple.”

Reader tip: “You can always get compostable paper plates and bowls by using a composting service.”

Kitchen renovation at home

These are before and after photos of the kitchen space that we renovated 16 years ago. What they did:

We removed the top block of kitchen cabinets and the peninsula separating the kitchen and dining area to create one large room. We removed part of the old coal chimney and turned it into one side of the decorative mantle above the stove (the side cabinet has shelves for spices, etc.). I opened the kitchen wall into the dining room. The suspended ceiling was removed. We removed the laminate flooring and woven the original flooring in the dining room to match the hardwood in the kitchen. We installed new perimeter cabinets and black granite counters, as well as a kitchen island with soapstone countertops. I moved the backdoor.