How to Set Up a Temporary Kitchen During Renovation
When your kitchen’s out of action, whether for a full renovation or a simple refit, day-to-day life can quickly descend into chaos.
But don’t worry — this guide will show you how to set up a temporary kitchen during renovation that keeps mealtimes manageable, the family fed, and your sanity intact.
From clever storage hacks to small appliances that punch above their weight, we’ll walk you through how to create a functional, comfortable space to cook, clean, and carry on — even if your actual kitchen is a building site.
Because let’s face it — takeaways get old pretty quickly.
Why You Need a Temporary Kitchen
Let’s face it, trying to live without a kitchen for several weeks is no one’s idea of a good time. Meals become tricky, washing up becomes a mission, and suddenly you’re eating more takeaways than you’d care to admit.
That’s where a temporary kitchen during renovation comes in — your lifeline to normality while your dream kitchen takes shape. By carving out a mini cooking and food prep space somewhere in your home, you’ll stay fed, sane, and (hopefully) on speaking terms with the rest of your household.
Choose the Right Spot
The first step to setting up your temporary kitchen during renovation is finding the best place for it to live.
This might sound simple, but a bit of thought here can make life a lot easier.
Here are a few things to consider:
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Away from the Dust: Try to pick a space that’s separate from the main renovation zone. Kitchens can kick up a lot of dust and debris, so somewhere with a door (like a dining room, utility room, or spare bedroom) is ideal.
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Access to Water: If you’re lucky enough to have a downstairs loo or utility sink nearby, setting up close to it will make washing up and prepping food easier.
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Electricity: You’ll need plug sockets for essentials like a kettle, toaster, and microwave. If you’re relying on extension leads, make sure they’re safe and positioned sensibly.
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Ventilation: You won’t be frying steaks in here, but even toast can set off a smoke alarm if the space is too enclosed. Choose a spot that allows a bit of airflow (an open window works wonders).
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Flooring: Remember, spills are inevitable. Avoid carpet if you can – a vinyl or tiled floor is easier to keep clean.
It doesn’t have to be a big space. Just a corner with a table, a couple of plug sockets, and a bit of storage can go a long way.
Some people even transform a section of their garage, hallway, or conservatory into their temporary kitchen during renovation.
The Essentials
Once you’ve chosen your location, it’s time to kit it out. The goal isn’t to recreate your full kitchen — it’s to cover the basics so you can eat, drink, and clean up with minimal stress.
Here’s what to include:
1. Work Surface
You’ll need somewhere to prepare food and rest small appliances. Folding tables, old desks, or sturdy shelving units can all work. If the surface isn’t wipeable, cover it with oilcloth or a plastic tablecloth.
3. Mini Fridge or Cool Box
If your main fridge is out of commission, a small fridge will keep your milk, cheese, and cold meats safe. If space is really tight, a good-quality cool box with ice packs can work short term.
4. Dry Food Storage
Use crates, baskets, or stackable plastic tubs to store dry goods like cereal, pasta, bread, and snacks. Label them if you want to stay organised and avoid the dreaded “Where’s the tea bags?!” chaos.
5. Utensils and Crockery
Keep just what you need: a couple of plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery, chopping board, sharp knife, peeler, tin opener, scissors, and a mixing bowl. Store them in a basket or drawer unit so everything’s to hand.
6. Bin Area
Have a bin with a lid nearby, plus bags for recycling and food waste. Trust us — you’ll thank yourself later.
7. Cleaning Supplies
A bowl, sponge, tea towel, and some washing-up liquid should do it. A few microfibre cloths and surface spray will help keep things clean between meals.
Plan Simple Meals
This isn’t the time to attempt your signature five-course feast.
Opt for quick, low-fuss meals that require minimal equipment and mess. Think:
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One-pot wonders (slow cooker to the rescue).
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Pre-cooked supermarket meals.
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Sandwiches, salads, and cereal — there’s no shame.
Even better, batch cook a few meals ahead of time and freeze them for easy reheating during the renovation.
Stay Organised
Label your storage, keep bin bags handy, and try to reset the space each night so it stays usable. It might feel like controlled chaos at times, but a tidy temporary kitchen during renovation goes a long way to reducing stress.
Keep the End in Sight
Your makeshift setup won’t last forever.
Before long, you’ll be back in your stunning new kitchen, wondering how you ever managed without that boiling tap or soft-close everything.
Until then, embrace the temporary, stock up on instant noodles, and know that it’s all worth it.
