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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How long would you live with a kitchen like this?

130 replies

Pinkstuffs · 28/07/2024 19:18

How long would you live with a kitchen like this?

You have air fryer, microwave and 2 ring hob but no surface space. Food is stored in a plastic box. Plates etc in makeshift drawers. Fridge as normal. No oven.

There is ongoing work most weekends so the kitchen is difficult to keep clean. No dining space. No heating in winter. Obviously no plaster flooring etc.

Edited to add, you have a small baby who is bottle fed.

Help me understand if IABU!

OP posts:
GuiltyForEver · 28/07/2024 20:00

I did 3 years in a caravan before I got a small temporary kitchen in our renovated barn.
Built an extension to the caravan to hold a shower and bed, so that got better. Before that we had sun powered showers inside a scaffold tower.

No loo, so we had a dry compost toilet for 3/4.years.

I had usual caravan stuff that gave out, got a couple of induction hobs, all OK I suppose, but then I didn't have a baby

The renovation is still not finished (8 years and counting), we are doing it all ourselves and now are sending as much time on upkeep as we are finishing!

CelesteCunningham · 28/07/2024 19:59

I was going to say it's just one of those things you suck up for building work.

Ten months is taking the piss though - is he doing it himself? Definitely time to pay for extra help.

outdamnedspots · 28/07/2024 19:58

A week. Why are you doing all this with a baby?

BirthdayRainbow · 28/07/2024 19:56

Pinkstuffs · 28/07/2024 19:44

It’s been 10 months so far and I’m starting to lose patience! I’m ready to call in outside help to get it finished (we can afford this but would rather not obviously) but DH not keen.

If he's not keen is he the one managing and having to feed his family with half a kitchen?

If not, then get help in.

Strugglebus86 · 28/07/2024 19:56

I did it for 4 months, with a 4 and 2 year old, that was long enough!

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 28/07/2024 19:55

@Pinkstuffs nah, hubby would be dead if that was me!!! 6 weeks while having a new kitchen shifted about and fitted was long enough! all appliances purchased beforehand to make it as smooth as possible! fridge freezer in the hall, microwave in the hall, washing dishes in the bathroom sink!! to say it was a pain in the arse making coffees on the phone table would be putting it mildly. fed up eating out and getting chippies!! at the same time, the dog was having a litter of puppies in the utility room!!! bloody nightmare!! my neighbour has just, at the age of 74, had major work done to his lounge, dining room and kitchen! walls all knocked down, floor raised in dining room, open plan with glass barriers all round, roof lights! all done in around 3 months including redecoration!!

Maryamlouise · 28/07/2024 19:55

Approx 3-4 months with toddler and pregnant - was fine and delays couldn't be helped (illness, severe weather impacting deliveries). I reckon about 6 months next time as moving in somewhere with barely any kitchen but need time to decide what we want to do

GoFigure235 · 28/07/2024 19:55

Can you move to your parents and refuse to come back until there is a sensible plan and timetable for the work in place?

LilianaVikavanovich · 28/07/2024 19:50

About 6 weeks
We had an old aga taken out , we managed for 2 weeks or so with an ikea cooking ring , air fryer and microwave , old kitchen worktop and sink , then the real work started and a wall came down …. And the real work started

We had a hideous month , but it was worth it

10 months ! No , couldn’t do it , I’d have moved out

Please get the builder in

Autumn1990 · 28/07/2024 19:49

2 whole fucking years and then some. I do have plaster and flooring and half a new kitchen now and half an old one. New sink not plumbed in and old sink leaks a bits. No hot water at all. The leaking roof has been fixed though. I’m sick of it.

TheCompactPussycat · 28/07/2024 19:48

With a 5 year old and a 7 year old, I decamped to my parents. Although tbf, we also didn't have a bathroom, stairs, or banisters on the landing.

I'd put up with a few months tops.

stupidannoyingtaxthing · 28/07/2024 19:48

Is … is this a nornal thing to happen when a kitchen is being done up? 🥺

We really need a new kitchen and are saving, but I honestly don't know how we would manage in some of the circs described by pps

OldTinHat · 28/07/2024 19:47

I did, through a pregnancy until baby was 9mths and I was pregnant again.

Never, ever have a relationship or marry a tradesman!

Merryoldgoat · 28/07/2024 19:46

Not longer than a month. And that would be under duress.

Pinkstuffs · 28/07/2024 19:46

All weekends also taken up with DIY which is the real killer actually. I have the baby pretty much 24/7.

OP posts:
Notthatcatagain · 28/07/2024 19:44

We managed for several years although a friend did gift me a very battered old cooker about a year in. I had a table and a big old cupboard both from a junk shop, microwave and a slow cooker

Pinkstuffs · 28/07/2024 19:44

It’s been 10 months so far and I’m starting to lose patience! I’m ready to call in outside help to get it finished (we can afford this but would rather not obviously) but DH not keen.

OP posts:
Blisterly · 28/07/2024 19:43

With a small baby? Probably a while if it was for my perfect kitchen. If it was an older child who was weaning it would probably be a bit more trying, but I could put up with it for a couple of months. I’d put up with it with a small baby until they started weaning.

Aussieland · 28/07/2024 19:42

2 weeks max. And I don’t have a baby

LadyTiredWinterBottom2 · 28/07/2024 19:42

I have got an instant pot and a microwave. No cooker. Limited worktop space.

Have no idea how long it will be, l have electrical work and a new boiler to sort out first.

UltramarineViolet · 28/07/2024 19:39

Well I wouldn't choose to live like that for any amount of time but assuming you are in process of renovations then like another poster has mentioned I think that about 6 weeks would be the point when I would have a sense of humour failure! I could accept 2 months at a push but would rather continue to live with an old kitchen than go through a really slow upgrade to a new one!

scrivette · 28/07/2024 19:32

When I first read your post I thought you were describing my kitchen, although I have two microwave ovens and one large cupboard for food.

I have been living like that for 10 years as we are always just about to extend. I have got used it it now. It definitely wasn't fun when the children were smaller.

TwistedSisters · 28/07/2024 19:31

We did it for 6 weeks and it was HELL. No way I'd do it for longer. We had a lot of takeaways!

Wakeywake · 28/07/2024 19:23

I could do it without complaint for about 2 months. After that I would suffer through it for as long as necessary, but I'd hate it.

IncompleteSenten · 28/07/2024 19:22

Meant to ask how long is it expected to take?