I spend most of my days scrolling through Instagram in search of the latest trend or design idea. Over the last few months, I’ve noticed a clear change in how most of us have been decorating our kitchens.
Gone are the days of wall-to-wall kitchen cabinetry and the perfect work triangle layout. Instead, we’ve entered the era of the “collected kitchen”. And I don’t just mean collected decor (which is also great!) – I mean the furniture. Welcome to return age of the “unfitted” kitchen.
Once a wholly traditional approach to kitchen design, unfitted kitchens, also known as freestanding kitchens, are defined by a sort of happily hodgepodge feel that comes together over time – think slow decorating at its finest.
Below, we’ve broken down exactly what an unfitted kitchen is, why they’re growing in popularity, and how you can easily get the look in your own kitchen space.
What is an unfitted kitchen?
Put simply, an unfitted kitchen relies less on built-in cabinetry and more on freestanding furniture pieces – nothing is anchored to a wall – or a combination of both.
“The unfitted kitchen is more of a furnished room with appliances and kitchen items included than a generic kitchen,” says Helen Parker, the creative director of beloved British kitchen design firm deVOL.
Instead of glass-fronted upper wall cabinets, you find a tall step-back cupboard. Instead of a built-in, marble-topped island, an unfitted kitchen makes do with a happily worn farmhouse table.
These types of kitchens prioritise personality, utility, and a gathered-over-time approach to decorating over uniformity and perfection.
Are unfitted kitchens trending?
Yes, and it’s not hard to see why. “Their flexibility, ease of installation, and design choices make them an appealing choice for clients building, renovating, or refreshing an existing space,” says designer Tanya Smith-Shiflet, founder of Unique Kitchens and Baths.
While the concept of a freestanding kitchen isn’t new, it’s currently being reinvigorated with global impact.
Now even American designers and homeowners are adopting this older style, thanks to a growing rejection of sameness and a renewed emphasis on personality-forward decorating (see: maximalism and cluttercore).
It seems the design aesthetic based entirely on personal expressions of style, especially those with a flair for antique accents, is set to dominate the design zeitgeist in 2025.
What are the key elements of an unfitted kitchen?
Clean-lined cabinetry
Freestanding kitchens still require some cabinetry, though designers prefer to keep cabinetry confined to a single area, such as along a single wall or just flanking the stove, to allow freestanding pieces to make up the majority of the kitchen’s storage. The cabinets themselves should feature simple doors, such as Shaker-style doors.
Freestanding furniture
Standalone pieces make unfitted kitchens what they are, and reflect that uniquely traditional perspective that made them so popular in the first place. “A classic English country kitchen has few built-ins, if any,” says designer Kathryn Ireland.
Instead, antique step-back cupboards, hutches, and armoires constitute a majority of an unfitted kitchen’s storage space. Not only do these pieces add a mix-and-match ease, they also offer an economical approach to decorating.
“You can buy a reasonably inexpensive pantry cupboard at a flea market or antique fair, play around, paint it, add new hardware, or add café curtains inside the doors if they are glazed, and suddenly you have something special and unique to you,” says Helen Parker of deVOL.
Workhorse tables
2025 is the year of island-less kitchens, and trading them for a farmhouse table makes the transition an easy one. Not only does this swap save some money, it adds cosy, country house charm to any kitchen.
Earlier this year, in a vintage decorating trend report, Leanne Ford spoke about the growing popularity of tables-as-islands, saying: “I, of course, love the way it looks, but even more, I love the way it feels and the way it brings my family together.”
Interesting lighting
Following the idea that unfitted kitchens should be unique and not-at-all standard, interesting lighting choices are key. While overhead recessed lighting is (unfortunately) necessary, they don’t have to be the only source of light in your kitchen.
Instead, opt for layers of lighting with small lamps, one-off picture lights, or a set of sconces flanking the sink or over open shelving.
Antique accents
While this may be an optional aspect, antiques are, in our opinion, essential in bringing an unfitted kitchen to life.
As Helen mentioned, the spirit of an unfitted kitchen is a room that you cook in, not a space dedicated to the cold machinations of feeding oneself. Shifting that mindset begins with adding layers of personality and decor to the space. So, yes: The kitchen is a place for your favourite vintage landscape portraits or seascapes. Your antique pottery and old copper cookware will sit happily next to your brand-new range or air fryer.
Examples of unfitted kitchens
A simple pine hutch, sit-on-top plate rack, and antique table-turned-island bring this classic farmhouse kitchen together.
Anna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
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