Temporary Kitchen During our Remodel
How to survive a kitchen remodel!
We are now living through our third kitchen remodel in 8 years! In that time, I think I have figured out the perfect setup for a temporary kitchen while we live in a construction zone.
You don’t need a large space to setup a temporary kitchen. It actually reminds me a lot of a campsite setup. With a folding table, outlet for power, and a few storage solutions, you can have a functioning kitchen. Here is what I recommend:
Temporary Kitchen Organization Must-Haves:
4ft Folding Table - like this one. This table has become the heart of our temporary kitchen setup. It holds my appliances and gives me a little room for prep space.
3-Drawer Storage - like this one. Essentially this acted as my kitchen cabinets. In the top drawer I stored paper plates and bowls, napkins, straws, dish rags, and a few utensils I use on a regular basis. The second drawer stored our aluminum foil, plastic wrap, plastic baggies, and some cutting boards. The third drawer was used to store my sauté pan, pot, lids, and a strainer.
Rolling 3-Tier Cart - like this one. This might be my favorite thing in the temporary kitchen setup! I loved that it was on wheels and I could easily move it around the kitchen as needed. I kept a few plastic cups and bowls and my son’s sippy cups in the top tier, kept a small assortment of cooking spices and olive oil in the middle tier, and stored our small toaster, trash bags, and grocery bags in the bottom tier.
Tall Plastic Shelves - like this one. I created a temporary pantry using this shelf. I grabbed a few plastic storage bins from the dollar store and kept all our pantry items organized on this shelf.
Power Bar - like this one. Since our folding table lined up with just one outlet in the wall, I found the power bar to be very functional so that I could keep the toaster oven, burner, and coffee maker all plugged in to one spot.
Temporary Kitchen Small Appliances Must-Haves:
Multi-Functioning Toaster Oven - like this one or like this one. This has been my most used appliance during the kitchen remodel. It can function as a toaster, oven, air fryer, and convection oven. I have cooked everything from bacon, to toast, to fajitas, to a whole pork loin in it.
Single Burner - like this one. I use my single burner multiple times per week. I sauté vegetables, boil noodles, and have browned meat for dinners.
Crock-Pot - like this one. Nothing beats being able to set it and forget it! I’ve used mine to cook stews and soups.
Keurig Coffee Maker - like this one. Obviously coffee is a must-have during any home renovation project. My Keurig is the perfect size and brews coffee quickly.
In addition, to reduce the amount of dishes that needed to be washed in the bathroom, we used paper or plastic silverware and dishes, used Crock-Pot liners so I wouldn’t have to wash the Crock-Pot and used paper cutting boards I found at Walmart. All in all, living with the temporary kitchen was very functional and easy. the hardest part is living without a sink.
Easy Meals During Kitchen Remodel:
Last, I wanted to share some of the meals we found easiest to make during our kitchen renovation:
Beef Stew in Crock Pot
White Chicken Chili in Crock Pot
Taco Soup in Crock Pot
Fajitas in Toaster Oven/Air Fryer (cut up all meat and veggies and cook on sheet pan in Toaster Oven)
Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry in Toaster Oven/Air Fryer (cut up all meat and veggies and cook on sheet pan in Toaster Oven)