The Ultimate Cozy Alternative To Cabinets In Your Kitchen

Perfectly matched rows of cabinets, countertops, and fixtures make a dream kitchen for many homeowners. But others find charm in the cozy alternative of freestanding furniture pieced together to create a functional food prep space. This design is referred to as a "freestanding" or an "unfitted kitchen," and it's a growing trend that dates back to the early 1900s before fitted kitchens were popular. The idea is to cut back on built-in cabinetry and replace it with standalone furniture pieces to create the kitchen storage and workspace you need.

The fitted kitchen concept we know so well can be traced back to 1926, when architect Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky designed the Frankfurt Kitchen. Many of its features sound familiar: a tile backsplash, built-in cabinets, and a long stretch of continuous countertops. Fitted kitchens became popular in the 1950s, which also saw the rise of the work triangle — the outdated kitchen layout that's still found in many homes. Fitted kitchen may create a cohesive aesthetic, but they're a little too cookie-cutter and predictable for some homeowners. They also require professional installation and aren't easy to change.

In an unfitted kitchen, most of the storage comes from freestanding cabinets and furniture pieces that aren't anchored to the wall. This configuration affords a lot more flexibility if you want to rearrange your kitchen later on. Plus, you can handle most of the work yourself — you don't have to worry about anchoring cabinets to the walls correctly or installing heavy countertops over the base cabinets. For some people, it's all about the eclectic, cozy look you achieve by collecting furniture pieces with different textures, colors, and features, to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind kitchen space.

A modern-day unfitted kitchen usually includes some base cabinets for practicality. At the very least, you'll need a stretch of cabinets to hold your kitchen sink. You might also commit to open shelving above the base cabinets to offer more storage without relying on built-in cabinets. However, most of your storage comes in the form of freestanding furniture. It's common to have different workstations within the kitchen based on the activities you normally do, such as food prep, serving meals, or socializing. A large worktable is often a focal point and the spot where you'll prep food and gather as a family.

Antique pieces like cupboards, hutches, baker's racks, butcher's blocks, dressers, buffets, and armoires are popular in the freestanding kitchen design. You can collect these pieces over time to expand your kitchen design. Flea markets, antique shops, thrift stores, and garage sales are all great spots to look for your next kitchen addition. You might even have pieces in your home that already work.

Embracing the unfitted kitchen trend is a good way to make your kitchen look more cottagecore with its rustic, cozy aesthetic. Antique furniture pieces paired with rustic pot hangers, old shelves, and vintage kitchen decor embody a country cottage style. However, you can also create a more modern or industrial look in a freestanding kitchen. There are companies that make new furniture for unfitted kitchens. Buying matching furnishings gives you the chance to create more cohesive look while still allowing enough flexibility for rearranging the pieces as your needs change.