Don't move anything in until the kitchen is done, or almost done. It just gets in the way and complicates matters.

I know how you feel. I am the same way. I'll second that you should wait (do as I say, not as I do, :D).

I'm in the same boat, itching to move stuff in; but your husband is right. Anything you move in now will just get coated in construction dust.

Honestly, if the things in the cabinets get dusty, take everything out, clean, and put back. If you're starting to use the kitchen, why not? Good luck!

Wait, wait, wait!

Hardware as in knobs and pulls and hinges? How much dust can that make? Seems like a vacuum would be able to handle it. I'd probably have stuff in there already, lol.

hang in there.

wait til the knobs/pulls are on. sink, etc - that's no biggie. get the knobs/pulls drilled, and get the sink/faucet going, and consequently the dishwasher. your life will be changed over night.

don't worry about the hood, microwave, etc.

it's so tempting and frustrating at the end!

Oh, contraire!! I used my kitchen for weeks before my hardware was installed. The drilling for holes and install didn't make that much mess. For the most part, I just moved a couple of things in the drawer and wiped. It only took a few minutes, but was worth being able to put all my junk away. Course, I had working plumbing, range hood, and MW though so the kitchen was completely usable otherwise.

After plumbing, I think I'd do hardware next then range hood. Fridge water line, trim work, and open shelving can wait.

I'm sorry the end is dragging on so slowly for you! How frustrating!

OK decided to wait. Temporarily progress has stopped. I'm going to focus my attention on fiquiring out the open shelving. I thought about it and I don't see what I will gain by putting stuff in cabinets now. If I did then stuff will be even more spread out around the house then it already is. Just gets frustating and I just need to do something to keep my sanity.

Thank you all for your posts!