The truth about unfitted kitchens

Unfitted kitchens– aka kitchens with little to no built-in cabinetry- have become all the rage on the Internet over the last few years. And for good reason. They’re cute! Cost effective. Easy to switch up. Character up the wazoo? But are they really all they’re cracked up to be? After 3.5 years of living with an unfitted kitchen in our cottage, I’ve got the inside scoop. Let’s dive in!

Now I guess technically you could argue that my kitchen isn’t totally unfitted as the “cabinets” or workbenches are affixed to the walls, BUT everything is open and there is not a door or drawer in sight. I do have four drawers in the free-standing hutch that sits on the north wall of the kitchen, but other than that, it’s wide open spaces. There are two kitchen carts, painted to match the workbenches, on either side of the stove so everything looks more cohesive, but both are movable, as is the stove. So, we’re counting it.

Pros of unfitted kitchens

Space to be creative + change it up. Anyone who knows me in real life knows that I like to change things. In fact, I have a reputation for being in a perpetual state of painting in our house. I enjoy switching things up for the seasons or just based on my mood. So as you might imagine, it’s really nice when I can change something that isn’t a whole heap of work (or money). Being able to move pieces around in an unfitted kitchen scratches that itch without breaking the bank.

Character + Charm. While there are plenty of built-in kitchens with character and charm, having individual pieces of furniture- often antique- is a GREAT way to add that special something. I found this green cabinet (which I’m actually painting AGAIN, as I haven’t loved this color) on Craigslist for $75 and the guy even delivered it. It is the perfect size for this strange space which would otherwise be just an empty wall, and holds all my baking supplies. It is also the only drawers in the whole room, so it’s a workhorse.

Budget Friendly. When we moved in to this cottage, our budget for a new kitchen was approximately NOTHING. We had spent every dime we had just to get in the door. But the kitchen was absolutely awful. I knew we had to come up with something, so my Dad and I designed some simple “workbenches” that would serve as “cabinets.” Later I added two IKEA kitchen carts and this thrifted cabinet. Basically, this kitchen has cost us very, very little and has served us very, very well.

Good temporary solution. If you find yourself in a situation like us, with a slim to none kitchen remodel budget, an unfitted look can be the perfect temporary solution. You’d be amazed what a little paint can do to unite things, and how far you can get with an inexpensive countertop and some ingenuity. 3.5 years in and were still loving it!

Cons of unfitted kitchens

Imperfections. An unfitted kitchen will NEVER be perfect. Things don’t line up exactly. There are gaps, cracks, nooks and crannies and empty spaces. Sometimes your thrifted or vintage pieces aren’t quite the right size. If you are accustomed to a seamless built-in modern kitchen, it can be a tricky adjustment.

Nooks + Crannies. One of the things that does drive me a little batty in my kitchen is all the in-betweens that somehow manage to get filthy. There is constantly food, dirt, dust and all sorts of other creative items falling through the cracks. An unfitted kitchen has endless nooks and crannies, and you’re gonna have to clean them all.

Constant maintenance. Speaking of cleaning, in an unfitted kitchen, you’ve gotta do it and do it OFTEN. Every single day will require a wipe down and once over. No gettin’ around it.

No uniformity. As mentioned in the imperfection section, with an unfitted set up you aren’t going to have that uniform look that custom cabinetry gives you. Uniformity can be calming, easier to keep feeling clean and looking good. There have been times when uniformity calls to me like a siren on the sea.

Work space. Often times unfitted kitchens can run a little short on work space. This doesn’t have to be the case, but usually built-in kitchens have nearly wall-to-wall countertops, so they can be hard to beat.

Takes time. Rare is the unfitted kitchen that comes together all at once. Usually it is a slow process of collecting the perfect pieces over time. It takes TIME, and often lots of it. I have been in a near-constant state of figuring out my kitchen for the last 3.5 years, and we’re still not quite done yet. It’s an evolution!

Common elements of unfitted kitchens

Unique range. Since many unfitted kitchens are in Europe, it’s no surprise that they often include a unique range. Whether it’s a British AGA, a French LaCanche or another one of the many brands that have popped up in recent years, a stove with character is the star of the show. Luckily, my Dad chose to save this 1936 Magic Chef porcelain stove (my Grandma’s!) for the last 30 years, and now she is the crowning glory of my little kitchen.

Work table. Though I don’t have the space in my smaller kitchen, I love the way that many unfitted kitchens have a big, old, wooden farm table as a work space. I’ll never forget seeing Mimi Thorisson’s kitchen for the first time in her book A Kitchen in France, deeply admiring the centuries-old wood table that sat in the center.

Stand alone furniture. Whether it’s an antique armoire, a painted bookshelf, a vintage butcher block or that trademark farm table, stand alone furniture is the crowning glory of an unfitted kitchen. It brings endless character, makes your space totally unique and gives it that old world or old farmhouse feel.

Farm or basin sink. My sink was the only thing I splurged on when we put in our extremely cost-effective kitchen. Made in England, my 30″ Shaw fireclay sink gets used approximately 200 times a day. It was worth every penny. Unfitted kitchens often have some sort of large farm or basin sink, sometimes made of cement, stone, copper or the like. Next to the stove, they can be a real showstopper.

Big windows. Not a requirement, but the lack of built-in cabinetry can make for way more flexibility when it comes to windows. My Dad and I installed a window three times as large as the one that was there, and it instantly made the room feel bigger.

So…do I like my unfitted kitchen?

Yes! Most of the time. Ha! There are days when modern conveniences like drawers, cabinets and uniformity sound pretty darn appealing. There are days when I get tired of wiping down the work benches, brushing food off the kitchen carts or dusting the open shelves, but most of time, the charm makes up for it in spades.

Bottom line, despite its imperfections, this space is a BLESSING. It feeds my family three times a day, keeps me company as I cook and clean, and I do my very best to be grateful for it!

What’s your take on unfitted kitchens?

Well, what do you think? Are you into the unfitted kitchen trend? Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts on this concept.

And don’t forget to pin this image to share The Truth about Unfitted Kitchens with friends. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Kali

I’m Kali. Oregon mama, farmer’s wife and creator of the Potager book and blog. Join me and as we cook and garden through the seasons!