Why everyone’s obsessed with unfitted kitchens

What’s an unfitted kitchen?

Instead of sleek, wall to wall cabinetry and built-in units that match, an unfitted kitchen is a mix of freestanding pieces (often antiques) that work together to create a space that’s functional and beautiful. Think of it as a kitchen that feels collected over time, with each piece telling its own story. We’ve seen some amazing unfitted setups while sourcing antiques in England, and they always inspire us to think outside the box.

Why we love them

Unfitted kitchens are packed with personality. Pair a painted dresser with some open wooden shelves, utilize a large table as your kitchen island or turn a  sideboard into a custom coffee bar. 

Timeless

Trends come and go, but unfitted kitchens have been around for centuries. When natural materials such as stone countertops, earthenware dishes, linens etc. are combined with furniture that has history, your space will stand the test of time.

Flexible

There are some wonderful options for built-in kitchen cabinetry, but opting to use furniture in its place (or in addition to) could give you more flexibility down the line. If the pieces aren’t built-in, you can shuffle things around as your needs change. 

Small space heroes

In cozy kitchens, unfitted designs have the ability to make the room feel bigger. Freestanding pieces break up the heaviness of wall-to-wall cabinets, and open shelves keep things light and airy.

Tips for creating your own unfitted kitchen:

Start with a statement piece

We love using an antique dresser or hutch as the heart of the kitchen. We found this antique pine kitchen dresser in Edinburgh and immediately fell in love. Working with a tighter space? This blue kitchen hutch may do the trick. If you have school-aged children, maybe you search first for a homework table to be the heart of the room. This stunning antique French oak table is full of patina and begging for a new home. Whatever your needs may be, we recommend finding a piece that speaks to you and building around it.

Mix materials and include patterns

Since your furniture will primarily be pine, consider incorporating a soapstone slab on the island, using a tumbled flagstone or terracotta on the floor. When selecting your metals, the goal should be to have them coordinate but not always match. Perhaps the faucet you’ve chosen is finished in polished nickel, but your furniture has original brassware with 150 years of glorious wear. The two can coexist in the name of patina. I’d also like to encourage you to find a way to incorporate some pattern or color, whether it be on a cafe curtain, delft tiles or otherwise. Give the people something to talk about. 

Consider function

Make sure your layout works for how you actually use your kitchen. Keep your stove, sink, and fridge in a practical triangle, then fill in the gaps with freestanding pieces. We’ve worked on a few unfitted kitchen designs this year, and mapping out the flow from the off always makes a big difference.

Add personal touches

This is where the magic happens! Display your French pottery collection, mark the kids’ height proudly on the door trim or hang a vintage light fixture that you found on one of our antique buying trips (wink wink). Little details all add up and make a big difference over time.

An unfitted kitchen isn’t just about looks—it’s about creating a space that feels right for the house and works best for your family. If you love the idea of an unfitted kitchen but need a nudge to get started, we’d love to help! Whether you’re in the market for  a special piece or some design insight, our inbox is always open.

Thanks for reading,

xx

Liv