When you hear the word “renovation”, chances are your mind jumps straight to dust-covered floors, piles of tools and a general sense of chaos. But it doesn’t have to be a total disaster zone! With the right planning and a little preparation, you can take the stress out of remodelling your kitchen and actually enjoy the process.
Renovating your home sounds exciting, but let’s be honest – stress is one of the biggest reasons people put it off. No one wants to be stuck without a kitchen for months. But the good news is there are smarter, stress-free alternatives that make the whole process a lot easier. In this guide, created for Stress Awareness Month, Kitchen Makeovers Co-founder, Will Franking, shares his top tips on how to dodge the headaches of home renovations with the right preparation.
Plan accordingly
Taking the time to plan a design you’ll truly love for years to come is so worth it – you don’t want to invest your hard-earned money and effort just to feel underwhelmed. Every choice matters, so create a space that brings you joy every single day.
While things like colours and décor can be swapped out whenever you want, bigger features like kitchen cabinets and countertops are a lot trickier to change. It’s easy to get caught up in aesthetics, but durability is what’s really important. Choose materials that not only look good but will also last.
If you’re working with a budget, focus on the overall feel you want the room to have. The little extras can come later – start with what truly matters to you, and the rest will come together over time.
Consider a makeover
Sometimes a full overhaul isn’t necessary. If you’ve been blessed with well-built cabinetry, a coat of paint can do wonders for the space – just remember that preparation is key if you’re going to undertake a project like this, so take time to sand and prime the units before the paint brush comes out!
Kitchen Makeovers offer a 2–3-day service that replaces cupboard doors, handles and worktops all for a fraction of the cost of a full renovation. Not only is this a more sustainable and cost-effective approach, it’s also a great stress-free alternative that leaves your kitchen feeling brand new again without the hassle of having no access to your kitchen for weeks at a time.
Clear your space
Kitchens tend to collect all kinds of unnecessary stuff – extra utensils, cracked plates, broken appliances and long-forgotten decorations. Instead of letting the clutter take over, start sorting items into donate, recycle, sell, or toss piles and take action right away. Since this can be a time-consuming task, it’s best to start early and chip away at it rather than trying to do everything in one day.
Before you start packing up, set aside an area for your everyday essentials – things like non-perishable food, drinks, mugs, plates, utensils and storage containers. Choose items based on your daily needs and habits. Keeping these must-haves handy will make your space tidy and safer, especially if you have kids or pets running around!
Set up a temporary kitchen
Creating a temporary kitchen doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few key items like a kettle, toaster, slow cooker, portable electric grill, mini fridge and enough food storage, you can easily manage meal preparation. You can set up your temporary kitchen almost anywhere in your home, but be sure to think about how you’ll handle cleaning, especially when using small appliances. This might mean taking things outdoors, using a washing-up bowl, or even a garden hose. Make sure you have easy access to water and power to keep everything running smoothly – and don’t forget to set aside essentials like oven gloves, paper towels, bin bags, washing-up liquid and sponges.
For longer projects like kitchen extensions, renting a kitchen portacabin can be a fantastic option. It gives you a fully functional, comfortable kitchen space right outside your home, so you can continue cooking and living normally while your renovation is underway.
Account for hidden costs
Money can be one of the biggest stressors when renovating, but a well-planned budget can make the whole process so much smoother. Don’t forget to account for those sneaky extra costs, like eating out, grabbing takeaways or stocking up on convenience foods while your kitchen is out of action. Planning for these little expenses upfront will help keep your budget on track and make the whole experience a lot more enjoyable.
“A kitchen renovation doesn’t have to be a source of stress – it can be an exciting, rewarding transformation with the right approach. By planning ahead, considering cost-effective alternatives and staying organised, you can create a beautiful, functional space without the chaos. The key is to work smarter, not harder, so you can enjoy your dream kitchen with ease,” concluded Will.