The Realities of Cooking, Cleaning, and Staying Sane During Reno Season

Let’s be honest—renovating a kitchen is exciting… until it actually starts.
The demo noise, the dust, the takeout bills, the fact that your sink is in the garage and your fridge is in the hallway.

So here’s the big question many Barrie homeowners face:
Should I move out during my kitchen renovation—or tough it out?The answer depends on your lifestyle, family needs, project scope, and tolerance for chaos. Let’s weigh your options.

Option 1: Staying at Home During the Renovation

Pros:

• Save money on temporary accommodations
  
• Stay close to monitor progress and handle surprises
  
• Maintain access to other parts of your home
  
• Great for smaller or phased renovations
  

Cons:

• No kitchen = no real cooking
  
• Dust and noise are unavoidable—even with plastic barriers
  
• Disruptive for pets, children, remote work, and daily routines
  
• Limited privacy with workers in and out all day
  

Best For:

• Renovations that last 3–5 weeks
  
• Homes with separate floors or basement suites
  

Flexible individuals/couples without small kids or pets

Option 2: Moving Out Temporarily

Pros:

• Peace, quiet, and cleanliness
  
• Faster progress—contractors can work longer hours without disruption
  
• Easier for families with small children, allergies, or remote work setups
  
• No daily detours around tools and tradespeople
  

Cons:

• Extra costs: hotel, Airbnb, or staying with family
  
• Less visibility over day-to-day progress
  
• May need to coordinate site access for deliveries or questions
  
• You’ll still need to check in regularly
  

Best For:

• Full gut-and-rebuild projects (6–10+ weeks)
  
• Homes with no backup kitchen, utility sink, or flexible layout
  

Busy households, pets, or high-stress environments

A Third Way: Partial Move-Out or Zone Isolation

Some Barrie homeowners choose a hybrid strategy:

• Stay home for design and demo
  
• Move out during heavy construction (plumbing, flooring, paint)
  
• Return for finishing stages
  

Or, if space allows, isolate the kitchen zone with:

• Plastic sheeting and zipper walls
  
• HEPA air purifiers and daily cleanup
  
• Using a basement, sunroom, or garage for a temporary kitchen station
  

This middle-ground approach can save money while still offering comfort.

How to Survive If You Stay Home

If you decide to live through the reno, here’s how to make it bearable (even functional).

Create a Mini-Kitchen:

• Move the fridge to a hallway or garage
  
• Set up a folding table with:
  
  • Microwave
    
  • Kettle
    
  • Coffee maker
    
  • Toaster oven or Instant Pot
    
  • Water jug or dispenser
    
• Use disposable dishes OR do dishes in:
  
  • Bathroom sink
    
  • Laundry tub
    
  • Outdoor hose (yes, really)
    

Plan Meals Differently:

• Cook meals in batches before demo starts and freeze them
  
• Lean on slow cookers or air fryers
  
• Support local Barrie restaurants or food trucks!
  

Use meal delivery kits to cut down on grocery runs

How to Plan Your Life Around a Reno

• Move valuables and breakables out of the construction zone
  
• Set boundaries: where workers can/can’t go, work hours, etc.
  
• Expect the unexpected—keep your sense of humor
  
• Prepare pets: use crates, noise machines, or let them stay with family
  
• Tell neighbors—you’ll score points for the heads-up
  

Final Thoughts: What’s Right for You?

There’s no single right answer. Some Barrie families prefer to keep a close eye on every nail and cabinet, while others value peace of mind and temporarily relocate.
The size of your home, the scale of the renovation, and your daily lifestyle will all factor in.What matters most is this:
Set clear expectations, make a plan, and be ready to adapt.
Whether you stay or go, a bit of flexibility and creativity can make a stressful time much smoother—and bring you closer to the dream kitchen you’ve been planning.