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Holly Cockburn

Freestanding kitchens are the key to a flexible layout in 2026 – here's why this old-school style is making a comeback

Neptune Freestanding kitchen.

Built-in kitchens have reigned supreme for many years now, and have often felt like the only and obvious route when designing a new kitchen. But there's a new kid on the block, or should I say, an old kid that is back again - the freestanding kitchen.

Freestanding kitchen ideas were the original kitchen; designed in the 18th century, these individual, moveable units were paired together to make up a complete cooking layout. Fitted kitchen ideas then took over, but as kitchen trends move towards prioritising craftsmanship and heritage design, the flexible, traditional freestanding style is back on top.

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