Renovating while living in the home is stressful — dust, noise, no kitchen, strangers in your space. A bit of planning makes a big renovation far more bearable.
Set up temporary spaces
If the kitchen is out, set up a temporary one with a microwave, kettle, and a sink elsewhere, and plan some easy meals out. Seal off the work zone with plastic sheeting and zip walls to contain dust, and create a clean retreat room the work doesn't touch.
Manage dust and access
Renovation dust gets everywhere. Containment, covering vents in the work area, and running an air purifier help. Agree with your contractor on work hours, where they'll park and store materials, and bathroom access, so daily life has some predictability.
Stay on top of the project
Keep a running list of decisions and questions, respond to your contractor quickly so work isn't held up, and document changes in writing (change orders) so the budget doesn't drift. Expect surprises behind the walls — your contingency fund exists for exactly that.