Couperwife Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Afternoon all Due to the fact that our kitchen is falling to pieces we are looking at getting a new one. I've been looking (as you do) and have found free standing kitchens in Ikea, does anyone have any experience of free standing kitchens, and any comments about them? I really like them, but I'm not sure, thoughts about the gaps underneath (cue kittyCat hiding stuff things rolling under and disappearing ) thoughts about the separate units not joining together properly It's a big investment, so I want something I like, but I don't want to regret not taking a chance Thank you Cathy X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 No experience of free standing. Lots of experience with fitted! Kitty hiding things under fitted is a far greater issue than free standing (IMO) If I were to go for a whole new kitchen, I'm erring on freestanding. Why? Because they are moveable (great for deep cleaning!), because I could alter the arrangement after fitting if it didn't quite *work* for me. But, as I said, my experience is with fitted and I have a desire for free standing I could be biased Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted February 11, 2012 Author Share Posted February 11, 2012 Thanks I really fancy free standing too, I'm going to idea tomorrow to speak to someone but I thought that I would ask on here first, cos there is always someone who knows Cathy X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Fingers X'd for you Cathy that a) you get a few more responses (=broader view/experience) and b) that tomorrow's trip is a successful and happy one for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Hello Cathy Would love free standing. Not so clinical looking and much more individual. If I was to do it again would prob go for free standing. Do let us know what you decide oh and we'll need pics too. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 My 'new' kitchen is free standing, but not Ikea. I had the carpenter make the units to fit as it is an old house and I wanted to use reclaimed scaffolding boards for worktops. So far so good. Chunky legs, so solid and stable. It helps if the floor is level - my brother retiled so that was fine. Cleaning is easy, just a swiffer/hoover and a wet wipe. However, if it is right under the units, you can't see it, so I won't lose sleep over that Some of the Ikea kitchen are stunning! Good luck looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I'm Cathy...love free standing kitchen units but I have a small kitchen so not worth bothering Have fun choosing and keep us updated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I like the look of the free standing kitchens. I think I'd go for one if I was buying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Free standing for me always. You can move the units about from time to time to get a "new look" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Potts Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 We currently have a fitted kitchen, but I think I would opt for free standing, for two reasons. If you aren't fitting yourself, you have to be very careful to check the contract/make sure that fitters leave it as the salesman described it. We have ended up with kitchen light outside in the hall because the salesman/planner forgot that our fridge would have to be in a different corner after fitting and would cover up old light switch. There was no after-fitting check, it took two visits from an electrician to fix the light and us finally withholding the last half of payment before we got over £1000 back from the company because of poor fitting. It was our first fitted kitchen and I do love it but it took a lot of aggro. The other reason is for access. Next door's cat was trying to get in the cat flap last week and OH thought he had hurt his mouth, so opened the back door to check. Cat meowed and let out a sparrow. We left the back door open so the thing could fly out and after three hours, it looked like it had gone. It took 24 hours for us to find out it was actually stuck underneath a 1.8m tall fixed larder, behind the kick boards, which had been cemented in. It must have flown to the top of the unit and abseiled down the 3 cm gap/1.8m drop between the back of the unit and the wall. Had to empty the fridge, pull it out of the corner and jemmy open the side kick board to let it out. Once the fridge was out, I was able to give it a deep clean behind and underneath but it hadn't been on the list (although maybe it should have been ! ) So, I'd like to take a look at freestanding next time if I could and like the thought of being able to move units about, like you do furniture. Mrs Potts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
