Renovating your kitchen while still living in the house? It’s doable — but it takes planning, patience and a few smart shortcuts. The good news? You don’t need to live off takeaway or wash dishes in the bathtub to get through it. We'll walk you through the essentials of surviving a kitchen renovation without losing your mind (or your cutlery). If you’re about to dive into a reno, read this first and thank yourself later.
While still living in the home can feel a bit like camping — but with more dust and fewer marshmallows. It’s messy, noisy and can throw off even the most organised household. But with a bit of planning and some practical workarounds, you can survive (and even enjoy) the process without losing your mind. Whether you're upgrading dated cabinetry or gutting the space entirely, these tips will help you stay sane while your kitchen takes shape.
Set Up a Temporary Kitchen
Your new kitchen might be weeks away, but your stomach won't wait that long. Setting up a temporary kitchen space is essential. A laundry, garage or even a corner of the living room can work as a stand-in cooking zone. Keep it simple: a microwave, kettle, toaster, portable cooktop and mini fridge will cover the basics.
Set up a clear bench or table for food prep and store essentials like chopping boards, dish soap, utensils and pantry staples within reach. Use tubs or crates to organise everything — this helps keep things mobile and tidy when you need to shift around.
Plan Around Meal Prep
Cooking becomes a logistical challenge when your oven’s covered in dust and the sink is sitting in the driveway. Before work starts, try meal prepping or batch cooking (whatever you call it) and freeze a few meals to avoid relying on takeaway every night.
Keep pantry snacks and cold drinks within arm’s reach so you're not digging through moving boxes every time someone’s hungry. If you have a BBQ, you’ve got an instant outdoor kitchen: great for weeknight dinners without the stress. And if cooking feels like too much, lean into the excuse to explore your neighbourhood and sample the best local takeaway spots guilt-free.
Create Physical Boundaries
Kitchens are the heart of the home, but they also become ground zero during a renovation. It’s dusty, noisy and filled with trades and tools. That’s why creating physical boundaries between the reno zone and your living space is key. Plastic sheeting or zip walls can separate rooms, keeping dust from spreading. Seal off air vents and doorways with painter’s tape and make sure walkways are safe and clear.
Daily clean-ups are a must — speak with your builder or carpenter to make sure the site is swept, vacuumed and tidy at the end of each day. It’s not just about comfort — it’s a safety issue, especially if you have pets or young children.
Stay Flexible but Organised
No matter how well your renovation is planned, unexpected changes will happen — so build in a little flexibility. Noise might start earlier than you’d like, a delivery could be delayed or a decision might need to be made on the spot. Keep a central location (a pinboard, whiteboard or phone app) for all your project updates, including a copy of the schedule, appliance orders, receipts and notes from your builder.
Store away valuables and breakables early — renovations bring vibrations, dust and foot traffic, and things can shift or get damaged quickly. Stay in touch with your renovation team and don’t be afraid to ask for daily updates — the more you know, the less stressful it becomes.
Keep an Eye on Utilities
Don’t get caught mid-shower when the plumber shuts off your hot water. Knowing when water, electricity or gas will be temporarily unavailable helps you plan around those small but vital disruptions. If your kitchen renovation affects other parts of the house — like shared power circuits or your hot water service — talk to your builder or electrician about what to expect. Have some backup options ready: charge devices ahead of time, boil water with the kettle if the hot tap’s down and set aside bottled water for drinking and cooking. A good team will give you a heads-up in advance, but it helps to ask early.
Renovate without the Chaos
Living at home through a kitchen renovation doesn’t have to feel like survival mode. With smart planning, open communication and the right setup, it’s entirely manageable — and the result is worth it. A little preparation now saves a lot of stress later. If you’re planning a kitchen renovation and want a crew that makes the process smoother from start to finish, Suncoast Kitchens has you covered.
We’re based in Kunda Park and service the Sunshine Coast and Queensland. To get started, give us a call on
(07) 5476 5604
and chat to the team about your renovation goals today.
