Kitchen Remodeling & Expansion​ in Alexandria, VA, N Naylor St – Project #54

The Challenge: What Needed to Change

This wasn't a simple kitchen makeover. The homeowners had real, structural problems standing between them and the space they wanted. And solving those problems required planning well beyond new cabinets and countertops.

• Closed-off, undersized kitchen: The existing kitchen was isolated from the rest of the first floor. Tight, dark, and disconnected. It couldn't support the way the family cooked, gathered, or entertained.
• A load-bearing wall in the way: Between the kitchen and the living room stood a structural wall. It wasn't going anywhere without a serious plan — a replacement beam, a structural engineer, and permits. The homeowners wanted that wall gone and an open-concept first floor in its place.
• No backyard access: There was no door connecting the kitchen to the rear yard. The homeowners wanted a proper passage to the outdoor space and a new deck they were planning to build.
• Not enough square footage: Even after removing the wall, the kitchen footprint was too small. A rear bump-out addition was the only way to create enough room for both a functional kitchen workspace and a dining area.
• Outdated infrastructure: The plumbing, electrical wiring, and ventilation were all undersized for a modern kitchen. Before any finish work could happen, everything behind the walls needed to be replaced.
• Finishes that had run their course: Old cabinets, worn countertops, and dated fixtures. Nothing about the existing kitchen reflected the homeowners' taste or the quality of the neighborhood.

What We Did: Full Scope of Work

Projects like this one require tight coordination across multiple trades and a clear sequence of work. Here's exactly what NextDay Remodeling delivered, from demolition to final walkthrough.

Structural Work & Layout Redesign

The foundation of this entire project was the rear bump-out addition. We extended the home's footprint into the backyard, which gave us the square footage needed for a proper kitchen layout and a dedicated dining area. Without that addition, there simply wasn't enough room to make the open-concept vision work. If you want to see exactly how we planned and built the bump-out, the full project breakdown is available here: Home Addition in Alexandria, VA.

With the new footprint in place, we moved on to the load-bearing wall removal between the kitchen and the living room. We brought in a structural engineer, designed the beam specification, pulled the required permits, and installed a properly sized LVL beam to carry the load the wall had previously handled. Once that wall came down, the first floor opened up completely. The kitchen, dining area, and living room became one connected space, which is exactly what the homeowners had in mind from day one.

Doors, Windows & Outdoor Access

In the rear wall, we installed a large sliding glass door unit that creates a wide, light-filled connection between the kitchen and the back yard. Natural light now moves through the entire space during the day, and the homeowners have easy access to the yard for the first time.

Cabinetry & Storage

We installed full white shaker-style cabinetry from floor to ceiling along the main working wall. Upper and lower runs were designed to maximize storage without making the space feel heavy. All cabinets include soft-close hinges and full-extension drawer glides. On the opposite side of the kitchen, we built out a peninsula (a countertop-height cabinet run open on one end) which provides additional prep space, defines the kitchen zone within the open layout, and leaves room for casual bar-style seating. Matte black pulls and handles run throughout, giving the white cabinetry a clean, modern contrast.

Countertops & Backsplash

The countertops are white quartz with soft grey veining. Quartz was the right call here — it holds up to daily use, doesn't require sealing, and gives the kitchen the look of natural stone without the maintenance. The backsplash runs the full length of the working wall using white glass mosaic tile in a linear stacked pattern. It adds texture without competing with the rest of the design.

Flooring

Solid hardwood flooring in a warm natural oak finish was installed continuously across the kitchen, dining, and living areas. Running the same floor throughout the open space was a deliberate choice. It visually ties the zones together and makes the square footage read larger.

Plumbing & Fixtures

All supply and drain lines were replaced and relocated to match the new layout. We installed a stainless steel undermount double-basin sink paired with a matte black pull-down faucet. The faucet finish connects back to the cabinet hardware and keeps the design consistent at eye level and at the sink.

Appliances

The homeowners selected a full stainless steel Whirlpool suite: a side-by-side refrigerator with ice and water dispenser, a freestanding gas range, a built-in dishwasher, and an over-the-range microwave with integrated ventilation.

Electrical & Lighting

We ran new dedicated circuits sized for the appliances and installed recessed LED lighting throughout the kitchen, dining area, and living room. The can lights are evenly spaced to give consistent ambient coverage across the full open-concept floor plan. All outlets were repositioned per code and placed where they're actually useful.

Ventilation

The ventilation system was upgraded to handle the output of the new gas range. Combined with the over-the-range microwave's built-in ventilation, the kitchen now has proper airflow for everyday cooking.