Setting Up a Temporary Kitchen During A Remodel

Hi, I’m Alex, owner of Ambar Builders. I want to talk about something you might not notice right away when you look at photos of our kitchen remodels, but it’s one of the things I care about helping families with most during a project.

If you look closely, you’ll sometimes see a microwave on a folding table. A coffee maker set up somewhere unexpected. Maybe a mini fridge tucked into a corner.

That’s not an accident.That’s a temporary kitchen.

And as a dad, I can tell you this matters more than people realize.

Why I Think About This Early

My wife, Arasely, and I have two daughters. Our house is busy. Mornings are rushed. Evenings are full. Meals still need to happen, homework still needs a table, and coffee still needs to exist or no one is happy.

So when a family calls us about a kitchen remodel, I don’t just think about cabinets and tile. I think about what daily life is going to look like while the work is happening.

I never want a family to feel blindsided halfway through a remodel, suddenly realizing they have nowhere to make breakfast or heat food. That’s avoidable stress, and it’s not fair to spring it on people.

That’s why we talk about temporary kitchens early.

Why You Need a Temporary Kitchen During A Remodel?

A temporary kitchen is a short-term setup that lets you keep life running while your main kitchen is under construction. It’s not fancy, and it’s not meant to be permanent. It’s just practical.

During a kitchen remodel, there will be times when:

• The sink is disconnected

• Appliances are moved or unavailable

• Counters are gone

• Cooking normally just isn’t possible

A temporary kitchen bridges that gap so your household can still function.

What We Recommend for Families

You don’t need to recreate your entire kitchen. You just need to be intentional.

Pick the Right Location

We usually help families identify a spot that:

• Has access to outlets

• Is away from the main construction zone

• Can handle a little mess

Laundry rooms, garages, dining rooms, guest rooms, or even a hallway can work depending on the home.

Focus on the Essentials

In most temporary kitchens, we recommend:

• Microwave or toaster oven

• Coffee maker (this is always non-negotiable)

• Electric kettle

• Mini fridge or secondary fridge

• Folding table or rolling cart

If you can make coffee and heat food, you’re in good shape.

Plan for Simple Meals

This is not the time for elaborate cooking, and that’s okay.

We encourage families to plan for:

• Easy breakfasts

• Slow cooker meals

• Sheet pan dinners prepped elsewhere

• Takeout nights without guilt

A remodel is temporary. Your sanity is more important.

Make Cleanup Easy

Water access may be limited during parts of the project. Disposable plates, compostable cutlery, and minimal cleanup are smart choices, not shortcuts.

Why You Might See One in Our Project Photos

Sometimes, if you look closely at our kitchen remodel photos, you’ll catch a glimpse of a temporary kitchen in the background. We don’t always hide them, because they’re part of the real story.

They show:

• Homes that are actively lived in

• Families moving through a remodel without everything grinding to a halt

• Planning that goes beyond just the finished result

To me, that matters just as much as how the kitchen looks at the end.

Remodeling Without the Chaos

A kitchen remodel is a big project, but it doesn’t have to completely disrupt your life. With the right preparation and a clear plan, families can stay fed, caffeinated, and mostly sane while the work gets done.

That’s always the goal.

We believe good remodeling isn’t just about beautiful results. It’s about respecting the people who live in the home while we’re building it.

And yes, sometimes that means a coffee maker on a folding table for a little while.