7 Tips for Staying Organized During a Kitchen Renovation
Imagine transforming your chaotic kitchen renovation into a seamless experience with expert advice. Designers and Certified Professional Organizers®/Productivity Consultants share their best tips for staying organized. From making decisions early and writing them down to implementing a daily cleaning routine, these seven insights will keep the process on track. Discover these proven strategies to navigate your renovation with ease.
- Make Decisions Early and Write Them Down
- Develop a Project Plan and Filing System
- Declutter Before the Renovation
- Create a Detailed Inventory of Items
- Designate a Staging and Storage Area
- Use Clear Storage Bins with Labels
- Implement a Daily Cleaning Routine
Make Decisions Early and Write Them Down
The prospect of a newly refinished kitchen is the stuff of dreams. Out goes the dated honey oak and shiny gold finishes of past decades, and in comes...well, whatever you want. And therein lies both the beauty and the overwhelming bit of any kitchen renovation.
Over the years, I've helped renovate kitchens for our family and clients and one thing stands out as the key to a seamless (and hopefully quick) kitchen remodel--making decisions early and writing them down for reference later.
The number of decisions you'll have to make during a kitchen renovation are mind-boggling, and the key to keeping organized throughout the chaos is making as many decisions as possible before the work actually begins. It's much more detailed than simply saying, "I want a white kitchen with open shelving."
Write down names, prices, SKUs, links, and any relevant information in one central place. It can be a notebook or digital resource, but make sure it's all gathered in one place that's easy to reference at a moment's notice. Record decisions as you make them and include information that may come from your existing home (like paint colors if they're carried through, existing appliance information, etc.).
Prep work will save you SO much time and mental exhaustion down the line. Every trade will have work that interfaces with another trade. So the plumber will need to know where the sink cabinet is located, whether you want water in your fridge, and if a pot filler is in your dream kitchen well before any of the fun stuff begins. You'll need to know which appliances you want up front even though they'll be one of the last things in place because opening sizes affect where cabinets can be placed and the right power sources (electric/gas) need to be in place up front.
It's those kinds of things that you don't necessarily think about but are vital in keeping your renovation running smoothly. Every time you have to stop the process to find an answer to one (or more) of those questions, it delays the work AND it starts to give you decision fatigue. Decisions made when you're already over it aren't going to necessarily be what you would have chosen when your mind was fresh.
That's one of the things that interior designers help with-they source and preselect options for you, get that information to the trades, and keep it organized. If you're doing a renovation without an interior designer though, do yourself a favor and make specific decisions well before they're needed.
Develop a Project Plan and Filing System
As a Certified Professional Organizer®, I help clients get and stay organized to save time, money, energy... especially during renovations.
Together with the client, we develop a project plan which includes critical deliverables, due dates, persons responsible, contact information, assumptions, possible risks, etc. In conjunction with that, we create a central filing system for quotes, contracts, receipts, etc. While I prefer digital format for both so the information is at my fingertips 24/7 no matter where I am, I will also create a duplicate set in paper for those clients who prefer a hardcopy version.
Being organized allows us to manage the project, cost, and people in order to minimize risk, delays and scope creep. Additional benefits also include reduced stress and overwhelm.
Declutter Before the Renovation
Decluttering before a kitchen renovation is essential. It can help make the process smoother and quicker by reducing the amount of stuff to move. Go through all your kitchen items and decide what to keep, donate, or throw away.
Focus on keeping what you use frequently and letting go of things gathering dust. By clearing out unused items, you will have a more organized and clutter-free space to work with. Take a hard look at your kitchen tools and appliances today to prepare for the renovation.
Create a Detailed Inventory of Items
Another effective tip for staying organized is to create a detailed inventory of your kitchen items. This should include everything from utensils to larger appliances. Knowing what you have helps you plan better and ensures nothing gets lost or overlooked during the renovation.
It also allows you to keep track of what you might need to buy or replace. An inventory can serve as a roadmap, making the transition to a new kitchen easier. Start your inventory today for a smoother renovation process.
Designate a Staging and Storage Area
Designating a space outside the kitchen for staging and storage can greatly help in staying organized. This can be a spare room, part of the garage, or even a section of the dining room. Having a dedicated area will keep your kitchen items orderly and within reach.
It also prevents your entire home from becoming a cluttered mess during the renovation. By keeping everything in one place, finding things will be easier, and the renovation process will be less stressful. Set up your staging area now to stay on top of things.
Use Clear Storage Bins with Labels
Using clear storage bins with labels is a clever way to stay organized during a kitchen renovation. Clear bins allow you to see exactly what is stored inside without having to rummage through multiple boxes. Adding labels can further ease the process by indicating the contents of each bin.
This way, you can quickly find what you need without wasting time. Organized storage solutions can keep your project on track and your kitchen items safe. Consider organizing your items in labeled clear bins before the renovation starts.
Implement a Daily Cleaning Routine
Implementing a daily cleaning routine helps manage dust and debris that comes with a kitchen renovation. Renovations can create a lot of mess, which can quickly become overwhelming. Regularly cleaning the workspace and surrounding areas can make a huge difference in maintaining order.
It prevents dust from spreading throughout your home and keeps things tidy. A clean space also makes it easier to spot tools or materials when needed. Start a daily cleaning schedule to keep your renovation organized and manageable.