So you’ve finally decided to upgrade that outdated kitchen of yours. Congratulations! A kitchen remodel can breathe new life into the heart of your home. But before you start knocking down walls and ripping out cabinets, there’s one crucial step you can’t overlook – dealing with all that kitchen stuff.
From pots and pans to the miscellaneous gadgets stuffed in your drawers, figuring out where to put it all during renovations can feel like an overwhelming task. But don’t fret! With a bit of planning and creativity, storing your kitchen items will be a breeze. Just follow these simple tips.
Take Stock and Purge
The first order of business? Take a good hard look at what’s currently filling your kitchen. Chances are you’ve accumulated way more than you need over the years. Now is the perfect opportunity to Marie Kondo that space and get rid of anything you don’t use or love.
But where to start? An easy way is to go cabinet by cabinet and drawer by drawer. Take everything out and sort items into three piles – keep, donate/sell, and toss. Be ruthless here! If you haven’t used that bread maker in five years, it’s probably time to let it go.
For the keepers, thoroughly clean each item. That crusty burnt pan? Give it a good scrub. You’ll be glad you did when it’s time to unpack into your sparkling new kitchen.
Contain It
With your kitchen inventory pared down, it’s time to get organized for storage. Invest in some sturdy plastic bins with tight-fitting lids. These will be your kitchen’s temporary home during the remodel chaos.
Label each bin clearly with its contents and the room it belongs to. For example: ‘Kitchen – Pots & Pans’ or ‘Dining Room – Serving Dishes.’ This will make unpacking so much easier down the line when everything has a proper place again.
What about that fragile china or your prized wine glass collection? Use plenty of packing paper, bubble wrap, or even towels to keep these delicate items safe and sound.
Get Strategic With Storage Spots
With your kitchen belongings all boxed up, you’re probably wondering – where do I put all this stuff? Let’s get creative!
If you have a garage, basement, or attic area, try to designate a contained zone specifically for remodel storage. Keeping the boxes together in one place will prevent things from getting lost in the shuffle.
No extra space like that? No problem! Think about underutilized areas of your home that could temporarily house some bins. Perhaps that formal living room you never use or a big coat closet. Just avoid any high moisture areas like bathrooms which could lead to mildew issues.
For bulkier items like your kitchen table or large appliances, a temporary storage unit from Storology Storage Brandon DR or others may be worth the investment. This gets them completely out of the way and protects them from dust and debris during construction.
One important reminder – make sure to leave a clear path for the crew to easily access the kitchen and bring in materials. Cluttered walkways are a safety hazard!
See how our designers can create your Dream Kitchen
Get a free 2D layout
Design & layout with as many revisions until it’s perfect!
3D rendering
High quality, realistic 3D rendering of project within 24 hours!
Itemized quote
Quotes are detailed, transparent, and come with 15 day Price Gurantee!
Professional Grade Design
Professionalism and quality so good, 15,000+ families have said YES!
What If I’m Living Through Renovations?
For many homeowners, living through a kitchen remodel is unavoidable. If you find yourself in this situation, you’ll need a temporary kitchen setup to survive without your cooking zone.
Designate a corner of a dining room, living room, or even a bathroom to become your mini kitchen. A few essentials like a microwave, toaster oven, electric skillet, or hot plate will allow you to make simple meals. Use a folding table or countertops as your prep surface.
As for dishware, pack up one set of daily plates, cups, and utensils in an easy-to-access bin. The rest can get packed away more thoroughly. Don’t forget to also stash a handful of basic pots, pans, and tools for your scaled-down cooking needs.
For everything else you can’t live without for a few weeks – things like the coffee maker, cooking oils and spices, storage containers for leftovers, etc. – keep them all together in a separate bin you can easily access each day.
Staying organized and planning ahead is key when your kitchen is out of commission. A little temporary inconvenience will be so worth it for your dream space!
The Big Unpacking
After weeks of hard work and renovations, it’s finally time to unpack and get settled into your gorgeous new kitchen! Exciting as this is, the process of unpacking and finding homes for everything can quickly become overwhelming if you aren’t strategic.
Start by laying out all your labeled bins in the kitchen area. Prioritize unpacking the essentials first – things you’ll need access to right away, like dish soap, sponges, trash bags, and basic cooking equipment.

Next up, decide on designated zones for different kitchen activities – prepping, cooking, baking, etc. As you unpack each bin, place those items into their respective zones. This natural flow will make your new kitchen feel intuitive from the start.
Be thoughtful about organization and storage as you go. Put lesser-used pieces towards the back of cabinets and equipment you use daily front and center. Install shelving, racks, and other organizational tools to maximize every inch of space.
If you got rid of a ton of stuff pre-remodel, you may find you have extra room in your new layout. Wonderful! But avoid the urge to fill it right away with new purchases. Live in the space for a bit first and buy only what you truly need.
With some time and effort, unpacking will be a fun process of breathing new life into your freshly renovated kitchen. Relish in all the thought and care you put into its design as you find the perfect place for each prized possession.
A Beautifully Organized New Start
Renovating a kitchen is no small feat, but staying on top of your belongings throughout the process doesn’t have to be hard. By pruning down excess clutter, carefully packing away keepers, and mapping out smart storage solutions, you’re setting yourself up for an effortless transition.
So take pride in your organizational skills! With your kitchen items tucked away safely, you can focus all your energy on making those renovation dreams a reality. Then, when it’s time to unpack, take your time finding the perfect new homes for everything. After all you’ve worked so hard for this – your beautiful, functional, clutter-free dream kitchen awaits!
Looking for new cabinets? Gray Collection or White Collection
Nelson Cabinetry
Nelson Cabinetry is an online distributor of high quality kitchen and bathroom cabinetry. We pride ourselves in delivering a high quality product via an easy to use, convenient website. Placing your cabinet order has never been easier and you can do so from the comfort of your home, office or job site.



