Unfitted kitchens offer a flexible solution for the heart of the home. Jenny Oldaker extols their charms and shows how to create the look
Life in the kitchen got easier in the 1950s, with the arrival of the washing machine and other appliances designed to make light work of previously gruelling tasks. To house, or maybe to hide these wonder gadgets, fitted cabinets became de rigueur and the concept has stuck: for decades, the kitchen has hardly changed from the built-in formula.
But tastes are changing and the unfitted kitchen is back in vogue: think capacious freestanding pantry cupboards, sturdy work tables or painted dressers, mixed with a few fitted elements to create a joyfully versatile fusion of pieces.
‘The unfitted kitchen has the beauty of feeling much more atmospheric and unique because it will inevitably incorporate different styles and materials,’ says Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL. ‘You can add vintage cupboards, change things around or reuse cupboards
in different ways, giving a flexibility that isn’t really possible in a brand new fitted kitchen.’
While this versatility is undoubtedly part of the reason the freestanding kitchen has grown in popularity, it’s not the whole story. Sustainability is another key factor. Portable, unfitted pieces are better for the planet than the hard-to-recycle carcasses that a new owner might rip out. Added to which, the homelier, more personal nature of freestanding pieces aligns with the relaxed ambience we want from kitchens today.
‘The kitchen has become more of an emotional space where people feel relaxed and happy,’ explains Merlin Wright, design director at Plain English. ‘The emphasis is less on efficiency as it was in the 1950s when fitted kitchens with gadgets became popular. Today, how people feel in a room is important, and this is reflected in things like choice of lighting, and the addition of freestanding pieces of furniture.’
Kitchen Dressers
With space for both storage and display, a dresser makes a charming focal point, with colours and sizes to suit every home
Kitchen Islands
The rise in popularity of the freestanding, moveable island or prep table, is not surprising. ‘Work tables have a traditional feel, reminiscent of the cooks’ tables used in grand old country houses,’ says Leila Touwen, co-founder of kitchen design company Pluck. ‘They provide a sturdy surface on which to prep food, as well as a lower shelf for storage of big items.’
With designs to fit all spaces and to suit any interior aesthetic, the kitchen island is now the workhorse of many a kitchen. Easy to move around – some are even on castors – they are incredibly practical and, as long as you scale the table to fit your space, they can work in any room, whatever its size: ‘That’s the beauty of modern kitchen design,’ enthuses Leila. ‘Mixing styles and eras to suit eclectic tastes is always possible.’
Range Cookers
Make your kitchen the hottest spot in town with one of these statement ovens
Pantry cupboards
The pantry cupboard has seen a huge surge in popularity and is fast becoming a staple of the modern kitchen; a large, versatile space for storing almost anything. ‘Larder cabinets are arguably one of the most useful components of a well-designed kitchen,’ says Simon Temprell, interior design lead at Neptune. ‘They can be standalone pieces, or picked out in a contrasting colour to create
a focal point.’
Homeowners are drawn to the dual appeal of this useful and aesthetically pleasing kitchen companion. And they’re not just for storing dried goods – these cupboards can be used for almost any purpose: ‘You can create your own cocktail bar, adding a small fridge alongside,’ suggests Simon. ‘Or the larder could become a hot-drinks station with an integrated coffee machine and blender.’
