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Benefits of Freestanding or Unfitted Kitchen Units

There are several benefits to a freestanding or unfitted kitchen and being able to easily update or add on to a kitchen is just two of the benefits of this type of kitchen.

06/11/2022

 

 

 

 

Anyone moving into a new build property or planning a major kitchen renovation should give some thought to the advantages and benefits of installing freestanding or unfitted kitchen units. Not only does it make it far easier and simpler to install this type of kitchen installation, but it also makes it very easy to add on, change, remove or update a kitchen without too much hassle. There are several benefits to freestanding or unfitted kitchen units, and we take a look at these below.

 

 

 

 

1 | Cost of Freestanding or Unfitted Kitchen

Installing a fitted kitchen can cost anywhere from R100k upwards, and that's just for a basic design in a small kitchen. Contracting a kitchen installation company doesn't come cheap and for good reason. These guys do everything for you, but they also include a hefty price tag to do it. I'm not knocking the services that a kitchen installation company offers, just giving you an alternative solution that won't cost nearly half as much.

 

 

 

Any carpenter or cabinet maker, or even a savvy DIY enthusiast, can knock together even professional-looking kitchen cabinets and buying materials to do this is cost-effective and will save money. Nowadays, you can pop into any Builders or timber and board merchant and take your pick from a selection of high-quality materials to assemble kitchen cupboards and units.

 

 

 

 

2 | Quick and Simple Installation

A freestanding kitchen means that individual cupboards can easily be assembled and installed. The kitchen space can be prepared beforehand with tiled or painted walls and flooring installed from wall to wall. Only wire-in appliances and fittings need to be installed beforehand and then you can install cupboards and cabinets around this to suit your design ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Custom-built cupboards or cabinets are assembled to be sturdy and strong, and you won't find cam screws or flimsy joining methods holding everything together. Anyone who has previously had knock-down cupboards will know that the way these are assembled is not great and that most are manufactured using laminated chipboard that eventually flakes and breaks apart.

 

 

 

 

3 | Freedom to be Sustainable

Going the freestanding or unfitted kitchen route gives you more freedom to select sustainable materials for the design of kitchen units and cupboards. This allows you to select FSC - certified - timber for the construction, use reclaimed or recycled materials, or look at alternative options such as steel. Not only can you select the materials for the construction, but you can also identify the most affordable source for these materials.

 

 

 

 

You can design a freestanding or unfitted kitchen to any design style and even mix modern and rustic, contemporary with a touch of traditional.

 

 

 

 

4 | Mixup Style and Design

Freestanding kitchens have built-up a following due to their versatility and ability to adapt to any style. It isn't hard to find freestanding kitchens that incorporate more than a single style and it is even more frequent to see unfitted kitchens incorporate more than one style. There is nothing wrong with taking a modern kitchen and adding a few mid-century or retro accent pieces into the mix just like there is nothing wrong with a rustic kitchen with some modern elements. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the day, you want a kitchen that is more than just a space to cook and clean - a kitchen that has warmth and personality and is a space where you or your family love spending time together and a freestanding kitchen design gives you that freedom.

 

 

 

 

5 | Introduce Colour and Accent Pieces

Many kitchen installation companies do not give you full freedom over the colours used for kitchen cabinets and cupboards. They generally have a set list of surfaces available and their colour options. Custom-built kitchen units can be painted in almost any specific colour, or you can go directly to the supplier of materials to look at other colour or pattern solutions.

 

 

 

 

6 | Update a Kitchen Anytime you Like

Now that we have gone over some of the benefits to be gained by installing a freestanding or unfitted kitchen, the one most advantageous benefit is the fact that you can replace any of the furniture at will. Knowing the exact measurements to make new pieces and simply removing and replacing them could not be easier. You can ensure your kitchen is always up to date with trends or fit new pieces that bring more convenience or versatility to the design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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