The Freestanding Kitchen Design Guide

The idea that a kitchen is ‘just’ a place to cook is fast becoming outdated. Kitchens are so much more than a place solely for preparing food. The modern kitchen is the space for entertaining, dining, socialising and living and is truly the heart of the home. A kitchen’s design is crucial to ensure that the space works perfectly for you and your lifestyle.

If you love the look of a freestanding kitchen but aren’t sure where to start with designing your own, here at Crusoe Kitchens we can help you every step of the way with our ultimate professional’s kitchen design guide.

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How to Choose a Kitchen Design

First things first – how to choose the design of your kitchen. This is the tricky bit as there is a seemingly endless choice of kitchen designs out there – so how do you narrow it down to find one that works for you?

We advise looking at kitchen design inspiration ideas to really get your creative juices flowing. Looking at other kitchen designs can give you a good starting point of what you do and don’t like, making it easier to pin down what you think would work for you and your home.

The kitchen is the cornerstone of family life and a cleverly designed kitchen should reflect that. A good design should support the natural flow of life, no matter what the kitchen size. Clever design features and carefully considered freestanding elements can really take your kitchen to the next level, dictating the overall functionality and flow of the greater space in which it sits.

Whilst it’s important to consider your needs as a family now, it’s crucial to consider what your needs might be in the future to ensure that your kitchen is able to ebb and flow alongside the tides of time. Ensuring that your chosen kitchen is for life is not only a cost-effective way of working, but it also encourages sustainability and a more responsible way of shopping.

Choosing a timeless, functional design which offers versatility and flexibility is the best way to achieve this. When choosing a colour palette for your kitchen, aspire for colourways which make your kitchen feel less like a workspace and more like a space for living. Warm, neutral colours which connect your kitchen to the natural world can create a space which is easy on the eye and makes for a relaxing backdrop. Using other kitchen design ideas for inspiration will give you an idea of what is possible- when you choose freestanding kitchen units, the freedom and design options available give you so much scope to make your kitchenspace reflect your individuality.

Questions to Ask When Designing Your Dream Kitchen

Before you start designing your dream kitchen, consider the following questions to ensure that your kitchen design works for you, and works for life:

How do you want your new space to work?
Which aspects do you like (and not like) about your current kitchen?
Do you prefer modern or traditional design? Or a mix of both?
What is your total budget?
What are your top five kitchen must-haves?
What are the room measurements?

How to Design a Kitchen

1. Assess the space and your requirements

Do you need space for dining?
Will your new kitchen need space for laundry?
Would a galley-style, an L-shape space or peninsula style kitchen suit your lifestyle best?
How much cupboard space do you (really) need?

2. Thoughtfully consider the space and lighting

Where are the windows and radiators and how will your kitchen elements fit around them? Where does natural light fall and how does it work within your space?
Consider the view from your sink, from your cooking hub and from the dining area and how it will work day to day
Layout and functionality are important considerations – how will you reach for produce when you are standing at the hob, how will you deliver meals to guests, where will you put shopping when you get back from the supermarket, how will the space perform for your growing family?

3. Personalise your design

Some kitchen designers all have their favourite kitchen design ideas they’ll try to make you choose, but with a freestanding kitchen the choice is entirely yours. Free up your thinking and choose what works for you.
Will your pantry live in the dining room? Will your freestanding storage units be better positioned close to the utility room? It’s your home and your choice so anything goes
If you want a mix of colours or just one hue for your new kitchen design that’s entirely up to you. Get creative and be bold.

4. Consider and stay within budget

Set a sensible budget which allows for every aspect of your new kitchen. Don’t forget to include adequate budget for worktops, appliances, handles, lighting, artwork and decorating or your new cookspace will never feel ‘done’.
Remain within budget for true new kitchen satisfaction
You will need to remember the cost of tradespeople when considering your budget.
With a freestanding kitchen you won’t need a kitchen fitter, but you may need a plumber and electrician for all those crucial fixes.

5. Kitchen design dos and don’ts

Don’t get too complicated and remember that simplicity is often the key
Don’t settle for the ‘norm’ – the standard ‘triangle’ approach with a sink, oven and food storage can be outdated and not suit your lifestyle. Consider multi-use stations which allow you to do a lot more than just cook
Don’t forget functionality; is entertaining guests at the top of your list? Or do you need worktop space for arts and crafts?
Don’t forget longevity; do you plan to expand your family in the future?
Do consider the rhythm and flow – a cohesive style and design will be easy on the eye and make your kitchen feel ‘current’ for many years to come
Do think about the spaces in between – the places to watch, to listen, to dwell and to reflect
Do it your way and try not to be swayed or you’ll never feel fully satisfied with your new kitchen
Do consider the height as well as the width of your kitchen cabinets and stations
Do make sure you are realistic about both the space and your budget. Overshooting the mark and overdesigning is a costly mistake to make
Don’t overcrowd your new kitchen with cabinets.
Carefully consider freestanding cabinets or moveable island units so that you have versatility and freedom. Too much cabinetry can swamp small spaces and are not usually necessary

Kitchen Design – The Takeaway

When designing your kitchen we advise that you start with YOU. Make sure that your kitchen designer carefully considers the needs of you and your family, and takes into consideration how you will be using the space. Most importantly, make sure that your new kitchen design makes you smile. Because if it doesn’t make you happy, what’s the point? Whether you are installing a new kitchen or remodelling a current one, make sure that your cookspace is as inspirational and individual as you.