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New kitchen advice

17 replies

Lucyccfc68 · 29/08/2020 19:35

Hi. I am having a complete refit in 3 weeks time. Old kitchen ripped out, walls replastered, new electrics, floor levelled and then a new kitchen fitted, walls tiled, new floor and decorated.

I am excited about it, but mess and clutter does get me stressed out and I don’t want to spend 2-3 weeks being grumpy or snapping at my DS because I am finding it really hard.

I have already started clearing cupboards and have loads of stuff to take to the tip. I can store most of my kitchen stuff in a spare bedroom and just shut the door.

I will still have access to my range cooker throughout (apart from when the floor is drying out) and I will keep my old fridge/freezer in the conservatory to use.

I am after tips, hints and advice on how to make the process as stress free as possible. This is the first time I have had such a major job done in the house.

Thanks x

OP posts:
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LovingLola · 29/08/2020 19:37

Can you move out?

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Grobagsforever · 29/08/2020 19:43

We're having this starting tomorrow.

We're moving out!

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JoJoSM2 · 29/08/2020 19:43

When we were withoitva kitchen, we just had more microwave meals and ready salads as well as takeaways. I wouldn’t plan on going to use the cooker as everything will be covered in dust and you’ll just get worked up.

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tanstaafl · 29/08/2020 19:48

Prepare food you can freeze and reheat on the range.
Think how you’ll wash dishes?
Microwave, toaster and possibly camping stove are your friends here.
Electrics, now is the time to consider having the lights split into zones?
We had two rows of 4 led lights fitted, each row on it’s own switch.
Consider whether you really need any cabinets on the walls, we ditched several and really opened up the kitchen.
We put the under counter freezer in the utility room and had two under counter fridges in the kitchen instead. That’s part of our keeping everything above waist level clear -rather than having a big , tall fridge freezer.
We put LVT on the floor, quieter and warmer than tiles.

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isseywith4vampirecats · 29/08/2020 19:50

we did what you have done stored as much as possible we have a convection microwave, and an airfryer and coffee machine so i set these up on a coffee table in the lounge with tea coffee sugar and kettle and kept back four cups, saucers, dinner plates side plates, four sets of cutlery , and the frying pan and a couple of saucepans, flat metal dishes for cooking things like pork chops etc in the convection, used the top of the cooker for fresh veg and did very simple dinners a few eat outs when there was no electric in the kitchen and did the washing up in a bowl in the bathroom then used a bucket to carry it downstairs, my kitchen went from this picture one half way through to picture three in three weeks it wasnt too bad just needed to simplify things and be ultra organised and try not to stress at the mess

New kitchen advice
New kitchen advice
New kitchen advice
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Lucyccfc68 · 29/08/2020 20:15

Some great advice, thank you.

We can’t move out, as we have no where else to go and I am working from home at the moment (that’s another problem 😂).

I have just started a list of things I can batch cook and freeze. Ready meals and ready made salads are a good idea. I have a small IKEA shelving unit I can put in the lounge to put the toaster, kettle and microwave on.

Didn’t think about washing up - I will keep my current washing up bowl and put it in the bathroom. I will put 2 of everything to one side to use - plates, mugs etc.

I’m only having 2 wall units and will be really glad to get rid of the breakfast bar we have, which will really give me more space. I am ditching the huge American fridge freezer I have and going for a slimmer integrated one. I have gone for LVT flooring, which was the most difficult thing to choose, as there are so many nice choices.

The first weekend will be the worst, as that is when I will have no access to the kitchen as the floor is being levelled. To get to my fridge freezer, I will have to go out of the house and through the back garden to get to conservatory, so my DS is going to his Dads for a 3 nights and I will have to manage with takeaways. I had hoped to be able to go round to friends that weekend, who have all offered to cook for me, but we live in an area on stricter lockdown at the moment, so I will have to wait and see.

Love the colour of your kitchen doors @isseywith4vampirecats

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tanstaafl · 30/08/2020 06:56

Agree on the flooring choice!
We had our floor done last, they poured latex? , some self levelling goo over the original tiles and left that to dry overnight then glued the lvt down next day.
For us,the first week mon-fri was rip out and prep, mainly having the plaster dry properly, the second week installation and floor.
We had a painter in after that for walls and ceiling.
Good luck!

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Yearinyearout · 30/08/2020 07:01

We set up a mini kitchen in the dining room (which you could do in the conservatory) microwave, kettle, toaster, one of those portable camping stoves for cooking pasta. Boxes with cereal, micro rice, cup a
Soup etc. I’d probably also try and get away to an air bnb if possible for some of the time! Also arranged to go to Local relatives for a few evening meals (I cooked them and provided the food)

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JoJoSM2 · 30/08/2020 07:31

I also think that setting up a mini kitchen elsewhere would be better so you’re out of the way of builders and they can get on with it.

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Bollocksitshappenedagain · 30/08/2020 07:40

Get all your clothes washed last thing.

Do you have anyone that can do your washing or will you need a laundrette?

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toomanyspiderplants · 30/08/2020 07:47

@isseywith4vampirecats. love your kitchen.dare I ask where it is from?

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bouncydog · 30/08/2020 08:26

We set up 2 base units in another room and put a piece of the kitchen worktop on top. Could you do this in your conservatory? We used the combi microwave and bought a single induction plug in hob for about £30 off amazon. Put the undercounter fridge in my study for milk etc. We were like this for several months as involved moving doors knocking out a wall and installing an RSJ and digging the floors up to install water underfloor heating system. New ceilings and total re-plastering. We were pleased with the result!

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ticktockcock · 30/08/2020 08:37

Is LVT the same as karndean?

We're getting ours done in a month or so and I'm dreading it.

Planning to abuse friends hospitality as much as possible!

We'll still have access to our fridge freezer and I have a plug I hob and microwave oven. Planning to set up a mini kitchen area with this plus a kettle in the dining area (we're putting our huge table in the garage), plus keep a plate and cup each out. I've been noting ideas for meals I can prep in advance and freeze, so from now on I'll make double and freeze half.

Partially cooked risotto base (then just add meat or veg)
Tomato pasta sauces
Lasagne
Cottage pie

Any other ideas welcome! I'm just praying that the school kitchen is open for hot dinners so I don't have to do packed lunches!

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isseywith4vampirecats · 30/08/2020 12:32

@toomanyspiderplants its the altino gloss in petrol blue from DIY kitchens

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tanstaafl · 30/08/2020 16:07

Karndean is a manufacturer of LVT.
one of the most expensive and I think they require it is installed by a karndean registered installer for guarantee / warranty purposes?

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ticktockcock · 30/08/2020 16:31

Thank you @tanstaafl, I'll check he's registered if not look at alternatives!

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GinisLife · 30/08/2020 20:01

@isseywith4vampirecats I had the same kitchen earlier this year. I absolutely love it !!

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