The Challenge
The existing kitchen had two problems that disqualified any shortcuts. The floors were uneven, and the utilities were well past their useful life. Installing new cabinetry on an unstable, out-of-level floor leads to gaps, misalignment, and callbacks. A full gut gave us the clean slate the project needed.
Stripping It Down to Build It Right
We pulled everything back to the original framing and subfloor. That exposure let our crew inspect every floor joist, and several needed reinforcement. Heavy granite countertops require a solid, level base, so we built one. Once the structure was sound, we ran new plumbing lines throughout, bringing everything up to current Northern Virginia building codes.
The electrical system got a complete overhaul. New high-voltage wiring now supports modern appliances without strain. We also ran a dedicated ventilation duct for the gas range, a requirement when you're installing a professional-grade stainless steel hood that needs to move serious CFM to do its job.
Materials That Work Hard
The cabinet layout uses classic raised-panel wood cabinetry running floor to ceiling. In a tight footprint, vertical storage isn't optional. It's the whole strategy. The speckled gray-and-white granite countertop handles daily wear without showing every scratch or water mark. We paired it with an undermount double-bowl sink, a cleaner look that makes counters much easier to wipe down.
Dark engineered hardwood flooring runs throughout the space. The warm tones anchor the room and contrast nicely against the lighter walls and fresh drywall. We relocated the cooktop to the opposite wall, a layout change that opened up the work triangle and made the kitchen feel noticeably less cramped, even though the footprint stayed exactly the same.
Recessed LED lighting finishes it off with even, bright coverage across every workstation. No shadows, no hot spots.
Planning a Kitchen Makeover in Northern Virginia?
If your Arlington kitchen has the same bones (small floor plan, outdated systems, floors that have seen better days), this project shows what a proper kitchen renovation looks like from the ground up. NextDay Remodeling has handled dozens of projects like this across Northern Virginia. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. 👊