Kitchen Expansion Ideas

Featured Image: Flash Bars Cobalt Ceramic Kitchen Bar Tile and Flash Cobalt 5 x 5 Ceramic Kitchen Backsplash Tile from Arizona Tile

When was the last time you gazed around your home and reimagined the space? Or when did you last stare into your rarely-used dining room and visualize what else it could be? As trends change and needs shift, we realize that a once-needed space may no longer be necessary, and you begin envisioning ways to reallocate the room, such as with a kitchen expansion.

With open-concept floor plans remaining largely popular, having walled-off spaces feels increasingly unwelcoming. Removing some of these walls can transform a space and allow the now-larger room to be more functional, so why not knock them down and expand the most-used room in your home: the kitchen.

How to Use the Space

Expanding a kitchen can transform the visual appearance of the room, but the added functionality can be game-changing while adding value to your home. The footprint of everyone’s home is different in terms of size and layout. If you find your kitchen to be tight, expanding it can make it more streamlined and add counterspace and storage, while improving functionality and flow. Not to mention there will be more space for family hangouts and entertaining.

Image: Bianco Pearl Quartz Expanded Kitchen Island Countertop from Arizona Tile

The dining room has become a less popular feature in recent years. In fact, many new homes are built without a dedicated dining room and instead have a café space within the kitchen area. Dining rooms are traditionally separated from the kitchen and share a common wall. A kitchen expansion into the dining room could greatly increase the size of the space, and maybe even double it. This expanded space makes room for additional countertops and cabinets and a possible kitchen island countertop. In the photo above, this kitchen expansion produced a huge island countertop that added seating and space for the kitchen sink. The countertop used, Bianco Pearl, is a creamy white quartz with hand-made grey veining. Quartz is an incredibly durable surface, so it can handle the day-to-day use this oversized island likely receives.

Kitchen Island

A kitchen island is a multi-use, multi-functional element to include in a remodel design. Adding an island makes the middle of the kitchen functional, where it would otherwise just be empty space. In a kitchen with a lack of wall space, an island provides counterspace for meal prep, art projects, homework, gathering with friends and family, and so much more. While the additional surface area is obviously beneficial, the added storage underneath is, too. You can be creative with this and add open shelves, drawers, or cabinets.

Image: Volcano Granite Waterfall Kitchen Island Countertop & Backsplash & Canyon Ivory 24 x 48 Porcelain Kitchen Floor Tile from Arizona Tile

Volcano granite is a stunning kitchen island surface to consider as an aesthetic feature that can work as a highlighted focal point. This dark granite offers a richness to the kitchen space that will endure for years to come. Paired with the backdrop of Canyon Ivory large-format porcelain tile flooring, these granite countertops add a striking feature piece to the design.

Kitchen Pantry Addition

While a pantry is a separate space, typically, the addition of one can reduce so much of what’s stored in your cabinets and on the countertop. A pantry doesn’t have to be a drab space, though. Adding a countertop and cabinetry can feature a coffee bar area, a space for countertop appliances, or even a place to store formal dinnerware.

Image: Taj Mahal Satin Quartzite Pantry Countertop & Backsplash from Arizona Tile

Taj Mahal Satin is so beautiful that it could be used anywhere, but you can see this homeowner added it to their pantry, and it is stunning. Pairing this quartzite with the wood cabinetry is a seamless blend between two raw materials.

Butler’s Pantry

A Butler’s Pantry is a little different from a traditional pantry in that it’s intended for “storage” and items that may not be used in daily cooking and meal prep.

In the kitchen expansion highlighted below, we see an open pantry behind a separating wall and stove. The large doorway creates an open feeling and allows for some discretion with what it displayed. If you have fine China that is used for your best gatherings, maybe this will be displayed but will not impede day-to-day items.

Here, CS-Calacatta-Gris Honed Lotus marble makes a stunning kitchen backsplash, which expands into the pantry display area to create a connected, cohesive design. The look of marble, especially in lighter colored kitchens, adds a sense of elegance that can be easily adorned with many other accents to make them pop. We see this in the image below with the richness of copper cookware and the sleek look of stainless steel appliances.

Image: CS-Calacatta Gris Honed Lotus Mesh Marble Kitchen Tile Backsplash from Arizona Tile

Kitchen Island Bar

Another design feature to consider in your kitchen expansion design is the addition of a long kitchen island bar. Using the space previously occupied by a shared dining room wall, you can install a long island surface with a functional countertop overhang. Just add some stylish stools and you have a wonderful communal area for family and friends.

If you want to add some color to your design, look into our Flash Bars ceramic tile. Available in a full spectrum of eight colors from graphite to white, this glossy ceramic tile has several options to choose from. Try connecting the visual space by using the same color tile on the wall of the island bar and the kitchen backsplash. Or use it as an accent wall to make the kitchen area stand out in the open space.

More Inspiration

For more inspiration for your kitchen expansion, visit our photo gallery for great ideas! For a helpful sense of product appearance, explore our Just Imagine Tile and Slab Visualizer, and, when you can, visit an Arizona Tile showroom or slab yard to see materials, colors, and designs in person. If you have questions, please send us a message!