Open Concept Galley Kitchen Remodel in Arcadia, Phoenix

Transforming a Closed Kitchen into a Connected Living Space

Residential kitchen remodel · Arcadia, Phoenix

In many Arcadia homes, the kitchen was originally designed as a narrow, closed-off galley—functional for its time, but disconnected from how people live today.

This home followed that same pattern. The kitchen was separated from the adjacent family room by a dividing wall, limiting both visibility and interaction. While the structure of the home offered strong potential, the layout prevented the space from functioning as a true gathering area.

The homeowners had already begun updating other parts of the home in a modern transitional style. The kitchen was the missing piece.

Their goal was clear: open the space, improve functionality, and create a kitchen that felt connected to the rest of the home.

The completed Arcadia kitchen

Completed Arcadia sink wall opening toward the family room, with white cabinetry, a dishwasher, and dark wood flooring
Completed Arcadia kitchen with white cabinetry, a stainless steel refrigerator, cooktop, range hood, and patterned tile backsplash
Modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, tile backsplash, wood flooring, and ceiling fans. A bowl of fruit is on the counter, and crosses are displayed on a wall in the background.

This type of transformation reflects the approach used in open concept remodeling in Phoenix, where structural changes redefine how a home functions.

The most significant decision—and the one that shaped everything else—was removing the wall between the kitchen and the family room.

Opening the Space to Change How the Home Lives

Removing the dividing wall transformed two separate rooms into one unified living space.

What was once a confined galley kitchen is now visually and functionally connected to the family room, allowing natural light, conversation, and movement to flow freely.

This single change redefined how the homeowners experience their home—turning the kitchen into a central hub for both everyday living and entertaining.

Designing Continuity Between Kitchen and Living Space

With the wall removed, the next priority was ensuring the kitchen felt like a natural extension of the adjacent living area.

Custom cabinetry was designed to match the finish and door style of built-ins already present in the family room. This alignment creates continuity across the two spaces, making the transition feel intentional rather than newly constructed.

Completed Arcadia sink wall opening toward the family room, with white cabinetry, a dishwasher, and dark wood flooring
Completed Arcadia kitchen with white cabinetry, a stainless steel refrigerator, cooktop, range hood, and patterned tile backsplash
Stainless steel double wall ovens installed within the Arcadia kitchen’s white cabinetry

The result is a kitchen that belongs to the home, not one that feels added onto it.

Rebuilding the Kitchen Around Function

The original kitchen had several limitations beyond its layout.

Cabinetry had been altered over time with laminate veneer, counters were outdated tile, and previous DIY flooring introduced inconsistency. These elements were removed to create a clean foundation for the new design.

The updated kitchen focuses on usability.

Quartz countertops provide a durable, modern surface with a subtle concrete-inspired appearance. A glass tile backsplash introduces reflectivity, helping distribute light across the space.

Arcadia induction cooktop set in a gray countertop beneath a stainless steel hood and white cabinetry
Close view of the Arcadia cooktop and stainless steel hood, with a patterned tile backsplash and gray countertop
Arcadia kitchen sink beneath a window, with white cabinetry, a stainless steel dishwasher, gray countertop, and patterned backsplash

These materials balance durability with a clean, modern aesthetic.

Expanding Storage with Purpose-Built Features

Storage was reimagined to support how the homeowners actually use their kitchen.

New cabinetry includes deep pot drawers, a dedicated recycle and trash cabinet, vertical storage at the baking center, and a full-height pantry with roll-out trays.

Completed Arcadia kitchen with white cabinetry, a stainless steel refrigerator, cooktop, range hood, and patterned tile backsplash
Arcadia kitchen cooktop, white drawer cabinets, patterned backsplash, and stainless steel refrigerator beside the family room

Each feature was designed to reduce clutter and improve efficiency, allowing the kitchen to function effortlessly.

Introducing Modern Performance with Induction Cooking

One of the most distinctive features of this remodel is the induction cooktop.

The induction cooktop sits beneath a stainless steel hood, with preparation space and drawer storage alongside it.

Completed Arcadia cooking wall with an induction cooktop, white drawer cabinets, stainless steel hood and refrigerator, and double wall ovens
Completed Arcadia sink wall opening toward the family room, with white cabinetry, a dishwasher, and dark wood flooring

This upgrade reflects how modern performance can be integrated without disrupting the overall design.

Creating a Cohesive Material Palette

The success of the space comes from how the materials work together.

White cabinetry provides a clean foundation. Quartz surfaces introduce subtle movement. The glass backsplash adds light and dimension. Dark wood flooring grounds the space and connects it to the adjacent living area.

Arcadia kitchen cooktop, white drawer cabinets, patterned backsplash, and stainless steel refrigerator beside the family room

Together, these elements create a kitchen that feels balanced and complete.

A kitchen connected to the family room

The completed room brings the kitchen and family room together through coordinated cabinetry, continuous wood flooring, and longer sightlines. Pot drawers, a trash-and-recycling cabinet, vertical baking storage, and pantry rollouts give everyday items a defined place.

Planning a kitchen remodel in Arcadia?

Explore our kitchen remodeling services and design-build process for changes to layout, storage, and finishes. For a broader scope, see whole-home remodeling or the open-concept remodeling guide.

The Path to Remodeling Clarity™ helps you prepare for the planning process. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your kitchen.

Project Specifications

Project Name: Arcadia Open Concept Galley Kitchen Remodel
Project Location: Arcadia – Phoenix, Arizona
Project Type: Kitchen Remodel
Remodeling Method: Design-Build Remodeling
Builder: Homework Remodels
Key Features: Wall removal for open concept layout, custom cabinetry aligned with built-ins, quartz countertops, glass tile backsplash, induction cooktop, expanded storage solutions, wood flooring continuity