Both types of kitchen have their supporters so, as with most aspects of style,
the choice boils down to a matter of taste and personal preference. Don’t
be swayed by other people’s opinions, though – you’re the
one who will be living with this kitchen so you make the decisions.
A fitted kitchen does make the most of the available space, as the built-in
units hide all the difficult corners while still being accessible for storage
purposes. There is a vast range of units – whether flat pack, rigid or
bespoke – to suit every taste and every pocket. It is often suggested
that a fitted kitchen will add value to your home but it is not always the
case – many house purchasers make it their first job to rip out an existing
kitchen and replace it with one that exactly matches their own tastes!
A free-standing kitchen enables you to create a more individual and informal
look – you can mix and match furniture and units to give you precisely
the ambience you prefer. It is also more flexible, allowing you to make adjustments
to the layout if you need to – or if you just fancy a change. However,
it doesn’t use the space as efficiently as fitted units. Bear in mind,
too, that any space beneath furniture on legs may be awkward to access for
cleaning purposes. One advantage is that you can always take the furniture
with you when you move – although that might make it more difficult to
sell your home!
