The best thing you can do to guard against being without your kitchen for too long is to map out your renovation carefully so you can minimize downtime. If you’re working with a general contractor and designer, they should handle this part of the process—but it doesn’t hurt to check in and remind them of classic trouble spots. The same holds true if you’re doing your own remodel. Those trouble spots include:
– Permits: Make sure to learn the lead time your town inspector needs, and apply for permits early. – Flooring: In addition to the time it takes to ship, solid wood flooring needs to acclimate to its surroundings for two weeks before being installed. Order early. – Cabinets: The lead time to order cabinets can be six weeks or longer. Measure carefully and order early.
Aside from minimizing the time your renovation will take, set yourself up to stay sane elsewhere. Create a workstation with a microwave, toaster oven, or other countertop appliances in a dining space, so you can still prepare meals. Use paper plates and napkins, or buy a few bins to transport dirty dishes to another sink in your house, such as a laundry room or basement (the faucets on most bath sinks make it difficult to wash anything larger than a plate). And if you plan on keeping your old fridge, move it to its new home in the basement or attached garage before beginning work, so you can still store food while your kitchen is torn apart. Beyond that, find small ways to keep your cool. Pick a special night to have dinner out each week—even if it’s at a diner—or splurge on an overnight stay in a local hotel to get away from the dust once in a while.