Living Through Your Remodel

Creating a Temporary Kitchen

Before walls are torn down and appliances removed, find an area of your house such as the basement, dining room or even the garage where you can set up a temporary kitchen. A folding table suffices as a countertop, providing room for secondary appliances that make homemade meals possible. Situate a toaster oven, coffee maker, crock-pot, microwave or even an electric single burner and you'll be cooking, albeit on a limited basis.

Set Aside the Right Tool

When working in a provisional kitchen, less is definitely more. In a small box, set aside the cooking utensils and cookware that you'll need – those that are compatible with the microwave, toaster oven, etc. Another box should keep essentials like tin foil, plastic wrap, garbage bags and sandwich bags handy, while everything else goes into storage. Finally, accept that doing dishes never completely goes away. Locating the temporary kitchen near a laundry tub or bathroom sink will save valuable time.

Stock Ready-to-Eat Items

Take time to inventory your pantry and stock up on dry and canned goods such as cereals, canned and dry soups, canned fruit and vegetables, etc. Things like crackers, nuts, peanut butter, raisins and string cheese make for quick snacks; while prepared foods including heat-and-serve entrées, the salad bar or a rotisserie chicken can be found in your grocer's deli. Consider creating freeze-and-heat meals or stock up on microwaveable main-course meals like lasagna, soups, stews and meatballs. And give yourself a break from packing a lunch. Consider allowing yourself – and your kids – the luxury of buying lunch.