How to Prep Your Family for Living Through a Home Renovation

Let’s be honest: Living through a renovation is not for the faint of heart.

It’s loud. It’s dusty. It’s inconvenient. And if you’re not ready for it, it can put major stress on your home and your relationships.

What living through a home renovation looks like...Ask someone who's done it!

Whether you’re staying put during a kitchen remodel, a bathroom gut, or an addition build-out, this post is here to help you prepare your space, your mindset, and your family so things go a little smoother.

💼 1. Set Up a “Safe Zone” That’s Off-Limits to Construction

Pick a room, ideally with a door, and declare it a construction-free sanctuary.

No dust. No tools. No hammering sounds (well, maybe less of them).

This space becomes the retreat for:

• Working from home

• Kids needing quiet

• Maintaining a sense of normalcy

You’ll be shocked how helpful it is to have just one untouched place.

👷‍♀️ 2. Talk to Your Contractor About the Daily Schedule

Ask:

• What time will workers arrive and leave each day?

• Will water or power be shut off during construction?

• Which entrances will they use?

• Can they avoid naptime or school Zoom calls?

Just having answers helps everyone feel more in control.

Bonus tip: Post a weekly schedule in a visible spot or add to your family google calendar so the whole family knows what to expect.

🧽 3. Accept the Dust and Plan Around It

Even with plastic barriers and careful crews, construction dust gets everywhere.

Do this:

• Pack away delicate or valuable items

• Cover furniture with sheets or plastic

• Move electronics out of work zones

• Get a good vacuum with a HEPA filter and keep it close

You won’t stop the dust, but you can stop it from driving you totally nuts.

Oh joy.

👨‍👩‍👧 4. Prep Your Kids (and Yourself) for the Chaos

Explain what’s happening and why. Make it exciting:

“We’re turning our house into something amazing!”

Then be real about the disruption:

“The bathroom might not work for a few days. We’ll use the one upstairs.”

Give kids a little power:

• Let them help pick paint swatches

• Give them a toy hard hat

• Make a “construction countdown” calendar

Same goes for adults—talk openly about stress and make time to escape the mess once in a while.

And if you can afford it, consider moving out during construction.A short-term rental or staying with family might seem like a hassle, but for some, it ends up being the smartest move for everyone's sanity.

🍽️ 5. Create a Temporary Kitchen or Bath Workaround

If your kitchen’s under construction:

• Set up a mini kitchen in another room with a microwave, toaster oven, fridge, and dish bin

• Stock up on disposable plates (sorry, Earth)

• Meal prep or batch cook ahead of time

If your bathroom’s being remodeled:

• Ask your contractor about setting up a temporary shower or toilet

• Coordinate schedules to use other bathrooms efficiently

• Join a gym with a shower if needed (seriously)

🧠 Final Thought

Living through a renovation is a little like camping inside your own house.

It’s uncomfortable. It’s disorienting.But if you prep your space and your expectations, you’ll survive it with way fewer meltdowns and way more appreciation when it’s finally done.

Your future self will thank you.

Don't be like Large Marge, be like Pee-Wee.