So, you’ve made the exciting decision to remodel your home, maybe it’s that long-overdue kitchen update, a more functional bathroom, or a full-blown whole-home transformation. Cue the Pinterest boards, cabinet samples, and design dreams!
But one question tends to pop up right around the time the demo crew starts rolling in: Can I still live in my house during a remodel?
The short answer? It depends.
The longer answer? Well, grab a cup of coffee and let’s break it down by project type: kitchen, bathroom, and whole-home remodels.
Kitchen Remodels: The Heart of the Home
A kitchen remodel is one of the most popular (and impactful) projects homeowners tackle. It’s where we cook, gather, snack, and let’s be honest, where everyone always ends up during a party. So naturally, remodeling the kitchen can throw off your routine more than just a little.
So, can you live at home during a kitchen remodel?
Technically, yes. Comfortably? That’s a whole different story and very different for each family.
When your kitchen is out of commission, you’ll lose access to your stove, oven, sink, and likely your refrigerator. Meal prep turns into microwave juggling, takeout becomes your new best friend, and the smell of sawdust might start competing with your morning coffee.
That’s why we offer a “kitchen package” setup to help you through it. Think of it as your very own pop-up kitchen, often set up in a spare room with sink like a wet bar or laundry room. It typically includes a countertop microwave, a portable cooktop, and maybe a toaster oven. It’s not fancy, but it’s enough to help you survive without living exclusively on fast food and protein bars.
Pro tips for surviving a kitchen remodel:
- Prep meals ahead of time and freeze them. You’ll thank yourself later.
- Get creative with small appliances. Instant Pots and air fryers can be lifesavers.
- Set realistic expectations. Remodeling is temporary. Your dream kitchen is on the other side of this mess.
That said, if cooking is central to your daily life or you’ve got young kids, it might be worth considering staying elsewhere during the bulk of the work. Especially when demo day sounds more like a rock concert than home improvement.
Not sure where to start with your kitchen remodel?
Bathroom Remodels: Small Space, Big Impact (on Your Life)
Now let’s talk bathrooms. Sure, the footprint may be smaller than a kitchen or living room, but the inconvenience of losing access to a functioning bathroom? That can hit hard.
What if you’re remodeling one of multiple bathrooms?
You’re in luck! If you’ve got a second bathroom, you can absolutely live at home during the remodel. Yes, it might mean sharing a bathroom for a while, but it’s manageable. You’ll be brushing your teeth next to your partner again like it’s college, but hey, maybe it’ll rekindle some charm?
Things to expect:
- You might hear a lot of tile saws and hammering.
- Dust likes to travel, so we’ll prep your hallway and bedroom doors with plastic barriers to offer as much containment as possible to keep the rest of your home as clean as possible.
- Be strategic about your morning and evening routines.
But what if you only have one bathroom?
This is where things get tricky. If the only bathroom in your home is under construction, you’ll probably want to find temporary accommodations. That might mean staying with a friend, checking into a short-term rental, or talking to family about borrowing a shower for a week or two (or three).
It’s not just about the toilet being MIA. You also won’t have access to a shower or sink, and trust us, brushing your teeth in the kitchen sink gets old fast.
So, in short: one bathroom = consider relocating.
Whole-Home Remodels: Time to Pack a Bag
We love a whole-home remodel. It’s transformative, comprehensive, and gives your house a totally new life. But let’s be honest: you do not want to be living in that construction zone while it’s happening.
Here’s what you can expect from a whole-home remodel:
- Multiple areas of your home will be unusable at once. This helps the project move faster.
- Floors might be removed, walls opened up, and systems like plumbing or electrical reworked.
- Contractors will need access to nearly every part of the house, and that means lots of noise, dust, and disruption.
Can you live in your home during a whole-home remodel?
In most cases, no.
And we’re not just saying that to push you out; logistically, safety, and sanity are big reasons to make other arrangements.
There’s just no way around it: your water, power, HVAC, and sometimes your structural access will be interrupted. And unless you enjoy indoor camping with an audience of electricians and drywallers, it’s better to step away and let the magic happen.
What are your options?
- Short-term rental: Airbnb and other furnished rentals can be a comfortable option.
- Stay with family or friends: Just be sure to offer them some gift cards or a future dinner party in your remodeled home.
- Extended-stay hotels: They’re not glamorous, but many offer kitchenettes.
It might feel like a hassle to move out temporarily, but the reward at the end of the tunnel? A home that feels brand new, without drywall dust in your sheets!
Some Bonus Thoughts Before You Decide
Regardless of which remodel you’re tackling, here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding whether to stay or go:
1. Think about your daily routine.
Do you work from home? Have young kids? Pets? Medical needs? If the answer to any of these is yes, your tolerance for noise, disruption, and strangers in your space might be lower.
2. Dust gets everywhere.
Even with plastic barriers and air filters, fine construction dust finds its way into the weirdest places. It’s not dangerous, but it is annoying.
3. Safety first.
Open walls, exposed nails, loose wires; construction zones aren’t exactly safe for bare feet or curious toddlers. And let’s not even get started on pets getting underfoot during demo day.
4. Ask your contractor what’s realistic.
Not all remodels are created equal. Some take longer. Some can be phased to leave parts of the home livable. A good contractor (hey, that’s us!) will help you assess what’s truly possible.
Ready to take the first step in designing your dream kitchen and home?
The Bottom Line: Know Your Limits (and Your Tolerance for Chaos)
Remodeling your home is exciting, but it’s also messy. Whether you decide to stay put or find a temporary escape plan depends on the scope of your project, the layout of your home, and your personal comfort level.
Here’s the final word:
- Kitchen remodel? You can stay, but it’ll be easier with a temporary kitchen setup (we’ve got you covered there).
- Bathroom remodel? If you’ve got a second one, stay. If not, consider other options.
- Whole-home remodel? Time to pack that overnight bag and let us handle the chaos.
Whatever you choose, the temporary disruption is worth the long-term reward: a home that finally works for the way you live. And hey, when it’s all done, you’ll have some great stories to tell (plus a few before-and-after pics that’ll make your friends swoon).
Thinking about a remodel but not sure how to plan for it?
Let’s chat! We’re all about designing beautiful, functional spaces and making sure the journey getting there is as smooth as possible. Reach out, and let’s figure out what living through a remodel could look like for you.
