Free-standing kitchens

How can a free-standing kitchen benefit me?

A free-standing kitchen is comprised of a number of separate functional units such as drawer units, storage cabinets, wall shelves and trolleys which stand alone, rather than fitted together as with a built-in kitchen.

As it consists entirely of free-standing units such as these, a free-standing kitchen can benefit those who like the idea of being able to add to, arrange and change their kitchen to fit their personal needs.

Free-standing units are easy to install and move, and often have adjustable legs which can stand steadily on uneven surfaces. As free-standing kitchens require no fitting, they are particularly beneficial if you are short on time, as well as being a practical option if you find yourself moving house – you can simply take the units with you.

How should I design my free-standing kitchen?

It's essential to design a kitchen that revolves around your needs, as this will make life in the kitchen both easier and more comfortable.

A good way of doing this is to create a triangle between your free-standing cooker, sink and fridge, which makes for a better working environment: arranging your kitchen like this guarantees that your workspace won't get too crowded, and allows you to move around freely between units.

When choosing the kitchen layout, think about the size and shape of your room – for example, consider if there is enough space for a kitchen island or just a trolley – as well as the position of doors and windows – make sure to fit free-standing units away from swinging doors which could dislodge them.

You could also consider putting food storage cabinets or trolleys next to the fridge/freezer unit, which puts all your food storage needs in one practical location. Also, don't forget that plumbing and electrical points can normally be moved, so these won't restrict your design. For more advice, see the lowdown on kitchen layouts.

Is a free-standing kitchen a good alternative to a built-in kitchen?

A free-standing kitchen is a good alternative to a built-in kitchen if you don't want to commit to a specific design and layout in the long term. Whether you want to change your kitchen around, add or remove storage or put in a different mobile kitchen island, all of this is made easier if you have free-standing pieces like wire shelf units and base cabinets, especially if they are on wheels.

If in doubt about the positioning of a dishwasher or sink consult a plumber, as it is not always possible to reposition them. Free-standing kitchen units are easy to clean behind and under because of their mobility, and can also be a good temporary solution if you are saving up to buy and install a built-in kitchen.

Take a look at the range at the IKEA free-standing and built-in kitchen range

How should I organise my free-standing kitchen around the shape of my room?

Whether you decide to build your kitchen entirely from separate free-standing pieces, or blend free-standing units with fitted furniture, make sure everything links together to form a functional, uniform working kitchen.

You can do this by combining free-standing units around the design of your kitchen, which will most likely fall into one of four basic designs: a single line of units, a double line, and an L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen. In doing so, it is easy to transform your free-standing kitchen to suit the shape of your room and your lifestyle needs.

Once you have chosen your basic units and work-surfaces, don't forget about appliances and accessories to add the finishing touches, such as butchers blocks, corner cupboards, stools, breakfast bars, wine racks, dressers and kitchen storage, as well as colours, finishes, and fittings on doors, walls and units. For more ideas on what to put in your kitchen, take a look at our top 10 furniture must-haves.

Make the most of space in your kitchen – see our Top 10 Storage ideas