Living Through the Mess: How We Built Our Dream Kitchen (One Weekend at a Time)
No time wasted — demo wrapped and we were straight into framing the new space.
If you're planning a kitchen renovation while living in the house — or tackling it in stages — you know it’s not just about design. It’s about dust, deadlines, weekend chaos, and finding the mental space to keep going. This post shares the real timeline of our DIY kitchen reno, what helped us survive it, and the moments that made it all worth it.
Kitchen Renovation Timeline: From Demo Day to Cabinet Install
There was no time wasted in this reno! We rolled straight from demo into building. Our microwave conveniently died just before demo started, so we were working with a toaster oven for the duration—which definitely kept us motivated to move fast.
Demo started: August 2023
Cabinet install started: December 2023
We took a brief break mid-project to install a window in our bedroom (where there wasn’t one) to prep for our upcoming addition — more shameless plugs for future posts!
What Went to Plan... and What Didn’t
Overall, everything went smoothly—it just took a lot of evenings and weekends on top of full-time jobs to make it happen. We had a cabinet delivery date we were working toward, so there was no room to drag our feet. It was an exhausting fall, fueled by not-so-great food choices and a lot of determination.
Surprises? Only the ones I added myself!
Midway through framing, I decided we needed an arched doorway into the pantry to soften the look of the entry. Of course, Chris tried to convince me that rectangular doors were perfectly fine (he didn't say "the bee's knees" but close enough). Naturally, I won. Off to YouTube I went to learn how to build an arch.
Then I decided we should add interior windows between the pantry and the stairwell to bring light into both spaces and give a view into what I knew would be a very stylish pantry. Of course, this meant revisiting a wall we'd already framed. No big deal, right?
No major unexpected costs or delays—just me making the project more complex as usual!
What Was Hardest About Renovating Our Kitchen Ourselves
Living without a kitchen for months meant lots of takeout and some pretty unhealthy routines. Working all day and then working on the house all night was hard on both body and mind.
And with three curious cats wandering through the construction zone every day, I was constantly on edge worrying they’d eat something they shouldn’t or get hurt on rogue screws.
Did I question my choices? Every single day! But that’s par for the course when you trade labour for prettier finishes and nicer materials. I knew what I signed up for. Having a cabinet install date looming helped keep us on track—I don’t like missing deadlines.
How did we manage? Same way we’ve been managing since we bought the house in 2021: pretend you don’t see the mess, wear socks or shoes at all times, and keep moving forward.
Kitchen Renovation Wins: What Surprised Us
The flooring made me so, so happy. Finding the right black and white tile was a mission. It’s harder than you’d think to mix and match tiles—one brand’s 24x24 tile isn’t always exactly the same size as another. And even when they are, thickness and finish can vary.
I worried the 24x24 tiles would be too big for the pantry space, but I LOVE them. They were absolutely perfect.
And our install? Nearly perfect—until the very last tile (of course the one with the most complex cut) slipped when the suction cups lost their grip. It shattered. Luckily, it was mostly under a cabinet, and we were able to piece it back together. Lesson learned: always order extra—especially with large format tiles in small spaces.
Tips for Living Through a Kitchen Renovation Without Losing It
Lessons learned:
No matter how tired I get from the manual labour and late nights, seeing the pretty things come in gives me new life. This is why I do it. The transformation is worth every bit of the grind.
Even seemingly scary things—like building an arched doorway—aren’t that hard once you break them down. (Thanks to Chris for doing the mudding, taping, and sanding on that one!)
Now I’m full of even more ideas I’ll probably throw at us in future projects.
Tips for readers planning a similar reno:
Know your trade-offs. For me, the ability to choose higher-end finishes meant putting in a ton of my own labour. I knew that going in.
Set firm deadlines. Having the cabinet install date hanging over us kept the momentum going.
Expect the unexpected—from yourself! You might change your mind or add features mid-build. Plan for a little flexibility.
Order extra materials. Especially with things like large format tile—you’ll thank yourself later.
Mind the cats (or kids or pets). Keep the space safe, especially when living through a reno.
Up Next
Part 3 of our kitchen reno series: THE REVEAL! Cabinets, countertops, lighting, and all the pretty details—coming soon. Stay tuned!
And if you missed Part 1, check it out here!
If you have a dream kitchen in your head, reach out, I’d love to help make it a reality!