A Queens Kitchen Doubled in Size with a Stunning Rear Extension

For nearly twenty years, Laura and Tim’s 1929 Queens townhouse served as the backdrop for raising their family. But while rich in history, the home’s aging galley kitchen was cramped, crumbling, and suffering from water damage. What began as a necessary update soon evolved into a transformative vision: not just remodeling the kitchen, but extending the rear of their home entirely, seeking a bright, modern space that seamlessly blended improved flow and storage with the dwelling’s period character.

A family reenergizes the back of their home—and adds an extension

• Homeowners: Nearly a couple of decades after they bought their home, Laura and Tim posted their galley kitchen remodel on Sweeten 
• Where: Rego Park, Queens, New York
• Primary renovation: Adding square footage to the back of a townhome and updating an ill-organized kitchen
• With: Sweeten general contractor
• Our role: Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering guidance, tools, and support—for free.

“After” photos by Pixy Interiors for Sweeten

Post your project on Sweeten for free and make your dream renovation a reality. Sweeten simplifies home renovation by connecting homeowners with top-rated general contractors, handling the vetting process and project management. To learn more about how we can help, check out our home renovation services.

Time for a change

In 2001, Laura and Tim bought and moved into their first home—a 1929 brick townhouse in Queens. The single-family home measures 1,360 square feet on two floors, plus a finished basement. Having raised their family there, the pair were finally ready to tackle some of the issues that had plagued their charming, but problematic, house. 

The galley-style kitchen was falling apart and had also suffered water damage from a leaking shower upstairs. A kitchen remodel with new cabinets, flooring, and wall treatments had been the initial plan. They had recently purchased new appliances but the rest of the space had gotten “old and grungy,” according to Laura.

split-image-before-remodel

split-image-before-remodel

 

A full-extension project

They wanted to create a “comfy, modern kitchen that still matched the period feel in the rest of the house while providing more storage and better flow.” The kitchen also had a drafty door to the patio, which they never used because of its impractical location. An interior designer friend, Suzy Leon of Suzy Leon Design, Ltd., made suggestions, and one thing led to another—taking the homeowners from a kitchen remodel to a full-blown townhouse extension project. Laura and Tim posted their project to Sweeten to be connected with vetted remodeling firms who worked in her Queens neighborhood. They then chose their Sweeten contractor to perform the townhouse kitchen extension project.

At Sweeten, we’re experts at all things general contractors. Here’s how Sweeten works: We pre-screen them for our network, carefully select the best ones for your remodeling project, and work closely with hundreds of general contractors every day.

Reorganizing the space

As a result of the townhouse extension, the old patio became part of the kitchen and dining space, and skylights were added to the new ceiling to bring in more light. The kitchen is now a beautifully organized and cheerful space for the family. Since it remained a galley layout, the homeowners chose simple textures and light colors to contrast a wide-plank dark wood floor with some grain and character. 

A bright and modern feel

The cabinets have Shaker-style fronts in a minty green, which “matches the feel of the old house but is also clean and modern at the same time.” A tall pantry cabinet opens to reveal a column of drawers for optimal food storage. The white quartz countertop lightens up the space, and an enormous sink means there’ll be enough room for even the largest pots. The oversized undercounter sink has an instant hot faucet, disposal, and stainless steel finish to match the appliances. At one end, a wine fridge provides extra space for beverages next to the refrigerator. 

“The kitchen extension came out beautifully! We love the new flow, the light, and the extra space.” Laura reports that the extension is a lovely addition to the house where guests naturally gravitate, and the skylights add light and fresh air. Moving the doorway between the dining room and kitchen improved the flow to the basement.

Getting things to code

Due to the domino effect often seen in renovations, the basement also had to be brought up to code—with updates to the bathroom and boiler. They also took the renovation as an opportunity to install mini-split systems in the whole house so that they would no longer have to deal with inefficient window units. The homeowners love their new space, and are satisfied with having addressed their long list of broken or less-than-perfect things in the house. 

Thank you, Laura and Tim, for sharing your home!

Ready to get started?

Post your project on Sweeten for free and make your dream kitchen a reality. Sweeten puts you in control of your renovation, from finding the perfect contractor and gathering design inspiration, to using cost guides  to plan your budget wisely.

Townhouse Kitchen Extension Renovation Materials

• Design consultant: Suzy Leon Design
• Kitchen cabinets: custom.
• Cabinet paint in #466 Garden Path; interior paint in Chantilly Lace: Benjamin Moore
• Schaub and Company Northport hardware in brushed bronze: Build.com
• Flooring in Deerfield Beach: PID Floors
• Kohler Prolific 33” sink: Kohler 
• White quartz slab countertops: Marble Systems 
• Sliding patio door: Andersen
• Solar-powered “Fresh Air” skylights: Velux
• Park Harbor Summerlake ceiling light fixture in antique brass: Build.com
• Acrylic Tiffany counter stools, Parsons table (custom height): Room & Board