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Modern stainless steel kitchen sink and chrome tap with green tiled splashback – clean and functional kitchen before renovation
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Living Without a Kitchen Sink During Your Renovation

When you’re having a new kitchen installed, one of the first things you’ll start to miss (besides a proper brew) is your kitchen sink. It’s surprising just how central it is to your daily routine — until it’s not there.

 

 

This article is here to help you through the chaos. Whether your renovation lasts a week or three, we’ve pulled together some real-world tips to help you manage living without a kitchen sink during renovation — and make the whole experience a little less stressful.

1. Set Up a Temporary Washing Station

 

It’s no surprise that one of the biggest hurdles when your kitchen’s out of action is finding somewhere else to wash up.

 

Dishes still need cleaning, veg still needs rinsing, and hands definitely still need washing — so setting up a temporary washing station is absolutely essential.

 

Luckily, with a little creativity, it’s easier than you might think.

Here are a few tried-and-tested options:

 

  • Utility Room Sink

If you’re lucky enough to have a utility room with a working sink, it could save your sanity while you’re living without a kitchen sink during renovation.

 

Now, we know that many people choose to renovate their kitchen and utility room at the same time (and that makes total sense from a project management point of view)… But if there’s any way to keep your utility sink functional until your new kitchen is fully up and running, it’s well worth considering.

 

Yes, it might cost a little more to have your trades come back and finish off the utility room later — but having a proper sink available during the main kitchen fit will save you a lot of stress (and probably a few panicked runs to the bathroom with a colander full of pasta).

It’s one of those little details that future-you will be extremely grateful for.

  • Bathroom Sink or Bathtub

It might not be the most glamorous solution, but when your kitchen sink’s out of commission, your bathtub can be a lifesaver for cleaning larger items — baking trays, pots, pans, anything too big or messy for a small bathroom basin.

 

If you’re resorting to the bath for washing up, here are a few quick tips to make it safer and more comfortable:

 

  • Use a rubber bath mat to protect the tub from scratches and stop things slipping about.
  • Raise the washing-up bowl to avoid hunching over — an old board placed across the bath with your bowl on top works a treat. If you’ve got space, add a second board or tray to act as a draining area.
  • Add a tap hose for extra convenience — one of those old-school rubber hoses that slip over your bath taps will make rinsing easier. If you already have a shower attachment, even better.
  • Use a wire drying rack to dry your dishes inside the bath without placing them directly on the surface. No more soggy towels or slippery plates on the edge of the tub.
  • Camping or Portable Sink

A portable camping sink might not be glamorous, but it can be a game-changer during your kitchen installation.

 

These self-contained units usually have a basin, a drain, and a water container with a tap — just what you need for light washing up without trekking to the bath or garden.

 

If you’ve got the space, set up a temporary mini-kitchen elsewhere in the house. Think:

 

  • Your camping sink or washing-up station

  • A microwave or air fryer for simple meals

  • A small set of drawers or a plastic storage unit to hold your everyday cutlery, crockery and cooking essentials

  • A fold-up table or worktop surface for prep

Keep things compact and convenient — this little corner might just save your sanity over the next couple of weeks.

Wherever you choose, try to keep your washing-up supplies in one place — think sponge, washing-up liquid, cloths and a draining rack or tea towel for drying.

Having everything together makes it feel more like a “station” and less like an emergency workaround.

 

Of course, living without a kitchen sink during renovation isn’t ideal, but these clever workarounds can make it manageable — even if they’re a bit unconventional.

if you’re after a plug-and-play solution, the Boxio Mobile Sink is a brilliant bit of kit. It’s self-contained, doesn’t need plumbing, and is surprisingly good value — perfect if you want to skip the faff and keep your sanity intact. I’ve included a link to the product on Amazon in case it helps.

 

It won’t be forever, but if your renovation is dragging on, this small investment could make a big difference while you’re living without a kitchen sink during renovation.

BUY ON AMAZON

Wherever you choose, try to keep your washing-up supplies in one place — think sponge, washing-up liquid, cloths and a draining rack or tea towel for drying.

Having everything together makes it feel more like a “station” and less like an emergency workaround.

2. Embrace Disposable and Eco-Friendly Options

 

Let’s be honest — without a kitchen sink, your enthusiasm for washing up is going to fade fast.

 

The good news? You don’t have to scrub every plate and pan like it’s the Victorian era.

 

During your renovation, this is the perfect time to give yourself a break and embrace a bit of disposability — without feeling like you’re destroying the planet.

 

🥄 Use eco-friendly disposables

Using compostable plates and cups means fewer dishes to wash — which is a huge win when you’re living without a kitchen sink during renovation.

 

They look decent, they don’t fall apart mid-meal, and they won’t sit in landfill for the next 400 years.

 

Look for items made from sugarcane, bamboo, or recycled paper if you want to stay on the green side of convenience.

 

 

🍽️ Mix in easy-clean reusables

You don’t need to go fully disposable. A small set of easy-to-clean plates and mugs (think melamine, stainless steel, or even kids’ picnic sets) can cut down on waste without loading up your temporary washing station.

 

Wash as you go to avoid a mountain of mugs in the bathtub.

 

 

🧺 Keep it simple

Stick to low-faff meals that don’t need six pans, a colander, and five mixing bowls.

 

Think wraps, sandwiches, one-pot dishes, or ready meals you can eat straight from the tray. No shame — it’s temporary, and your future kitchen-self will thank you.

 

So, give yourself permission to take shortcuts — and remember, nobody expects a dinner party level of service while you’re halfway through a kitchen renovation.

3. Keep Meals Simple (and Sanity Intact)

 

When your kitchen’s out of action, now is not the time to experiment with a three-course dinner or get overly ambitious with your sourdough starter.

 

The key to surviving a kitchen renovation — especially without a sink — is keeping mealtimes as low-effort and low-mess as possible.

 

Here’s how to keep everyone fed without losing the plot:

 

🍽️ Go for no-cook or minimal-cook meals

Sandwiches, wraps, pre-made salads, charcuterie boards, overnight oats — all brilliant, all zero washing up.

 

Add in a few handy extras like microwave rice pouches, couscous, or soup you can heat in one bowl, and you’ll be laughing (and full).

 

🔌 Make friends with your small appliances

Microwave? Lifesaver. Air fryer? Absolutely. Slow cooker? Hero status.

 

These small but mighty appliances can cook a proper meal without needing a hob, oven, or mountains of pans. Plus, most only need a quick wipe-out afterwards.

 

🥡 Don’t feel guilty about a few takeaways

Seriously — give yourself a pass. Whether it’s your favourite local curry or a cheeky midweek pizza, a few takeaways during your renovation are practically a rite of passage.

 

You can go back to home-cooked brilliance once the kitchen’s sorted.

 

🧊 Stock up smart

Fill your fridge and freezer with easy-to-grab snacks and pre-prepped meals. Think chopped veg, pre-cooked chicken, boiled eggs, hummus, yoghurts — anything that helps you build a meal without creating chaos.

 

In short: keep it quick, keep it easy, and don’t let kitchen guilt creep in. You’re doing your best in a temporary setup — and toasties count as dinner.

6. Keep Calm and Communicate

 

Living through a kitchen renovation — especially without a sink — can test the patience of a saint.

 

One day you’re stirring risotto on a gleaming induction hob, the next you’re washing cereal bowls in the bath. But don’t worry, it’s all part of the adventure (kind of).

 

The key to surviving this phase is simple: keep talking.

 

 

  • 🧠 With us – If anything’s unclear, if you’re unsure about timelines, or if something’s stressing you out… tell us. We’re not just here to sell kitchens and vanish — we’re here to make the process as stress-free as possible, and we’d rather know if you’re struggling so we can help.

  • 👷 With your builder or fitter – If you’re using your own trades, make sure everyone’s on the same page. Miscommunications cause delays, and delays are no fun when you’re already balancing a washing-up bowl on a laundry basket.

  • 🧍 With your family – Everyone’s tolerance levels are different. Let the others in your household know the plan, agree on some basic rules (like who’s on dishwashing duty), and cut each other some slack.

The renovation won’t last forever, but good communication can make the difference between “manageable chaos” and “why is there a saucepan in the wardrobe?”

7. Keep the End Goal in Mind

 

When you’re three weeks deep into microwaving beans and rinsing teaspoons in the bath, it’s easy to forget why you started this whole thing in the first place.

 

But trust us — the finish line is worth it.

 

Take a moment to picture it…

 

✨ That beautiful new kitchen you’ve spent hours designing


✨ Soft-close everything, just the way you like it


✨ Space for everything to finally live where it belongs


✨ A proper hob, a shiny sink, and no more washing up in weird places


✨ A space that brings family and friends together — to cook, laugh, gather, and make memories

 

This isn’t just about cabinets and countertops. You’re creating the heart of your home.

 

The inconvenience is temporary, but the joy of having a kitchen that truly works for your life — and your people — will last for years to come.

 

So hang in there. You’re nearly there. And it’s going to be incredible.

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