Fitted kitchens might seem like a better use of the space, but once you have one, you’re committed to it. With a freestanding kitchen, furniture can be moved around or even replaced if you find something that better suits the space. Old homes with their wonky walls can make fitting cabinets more difficult, whereas freestanding furniture works well.
Lending themselves to vintage furniture and flea market finds, freestanding kitchens can be a cost effective way of redesigning a kitchen and creating the perfect space. If you’re a fan of DIY or craft, you could really make the project your own by upcycling furniture that you already own and repurposing it for your lifestyle.
Lending themselves to vintage furniture and flea market finds, freestanding kitchens can be a cost effective way of redesigning a kitchen and creating the perfect space. If you’re a fan of DIY or craft, you could really make the project your own by upcycling furniture that you already own and repurposing it for your lifestyle.
If all your vintage finds need are a lick of paint, have a read through our step-by-step guide to painting furniture but if it's a matter of restoring old wooden furniture, we've got a guide for that too.
GO FOR COUNTRY COTTAGE CHARM
With their awkward angles and uneven walls, country cottages can benefit from freestanding furniture which can be easily positioned to make the most of the space. Antique wooden pieces with their time-worn patina are a great complement to rustic timber beams and stone walls.
DISPLAY ON OPEN KITCHEN SHELVES
If you prefer fitted cabinetry, but like the relaxed look of an unfitted kitchen, a great compromise is to have fitted base cabinets, but to replace fitted wall cabinets with open shelving. Not only will shelves help enhance the feeling of space, they are a great place to display kitchenalia and pretty ceramics, as displayed below. The possibilities are endless.
ADD TEXTURE WITH A REAL WOOD DESIGN
For versatility over a kitchen layout, opt for freestanding units. Whether you need to create extra space for entertaining or simply fancy a new look every now and again.
INVEST IN A KITCHEN DRESSER
Thought to date back to the 17th century, the classic Welsh dresser has become a mainstay of the traditional farmhouse kitchen. A timeless piece, it's worth investing in either a good quality antique version or new handmade version which will stand the test of time and can be passed down the generations. While the base cabinets and drawers offer ample kitchen storage for crockery and cutlery, the open shelves are ideal for displaying treasured pieces.
SMALL KITCHEN? YOU CAN STILL GO FREESTANDING
If you’ve only got a small kitchen, the obvious choice would be to maximise on space with fitted units, but this doesn’t allow for flexibility. Instead, a few well chosen, expertly placed freestanding units can be a really clever use of the space. Make sure you’ve got room for everything you need, and if you find that there isn’t enough, just swap out a unit for something more useful.
www.besp-oakkitchens.co.uk