Affordability is just one of the many advantages of a free-standing kitchen

We caught up with mother and daughter duo Sylvia and Sabrina Miles from Milestone Kitchens to find out about their range of free-standing kitchens produced in their factory in KwaZulu-Natal.

We asked about their unique concept and why they believe this is the way to go when investing in a new kitchen or adding to an existing one.

What is a free-standing kitchen?

It's a kitchen made up of self-supported, mobile pieces of furniture designed and built for a unique culinary purpose. Pre-1929, our great-grandparents' kitchens were equipped with separate pieces of furniture to work on and store things in. We have based our ranges on these timeless pieces.

What's the best thing about this concept?

The most amazing thing about free-standing kitchens is that they give you creative freedom. You are free to choose different colours, working surfaces, kitchen styles, base finishes — all in one kitchen.

The units are not all stuck together, which means they don't have to be the same colour, have the same top or even the same base construction.

Can I move units around if I want to change the layout?

Units can be easily moved or rearranged, making it simple to change the layout of your kitchen without replacing everything. If you want to change the floor, you don't need to rip up your kitchen to do so.

Fitted kitchens are fixed to the walls and floor with linings and cover strips, creating hidden spaces for rats and cockroaches to nest in. Cleaning and maintaining free-standing kitchens is so easy — it's a piece of cake!

Free-standing sink and stove units are not stuck to the walls, which allows easy access for repairs and plumbing.

A new kitchen can be expensive. Does this concept offer flexibility when budgeting?

A free-standing kitchen is more affordable because you don't have to outlay a huge sum
of money all at once. You can plan your ultimate kitchen and buy units as your budget allows. Plus, your investment is not tied to your property so if you move house, you
can take your kitchen units with you.

What materials do you use?

Our units are hand-crafted and constructed using long-lasting solid wood and supawood. They are painted with high-quality furniture-grade acrylic water-based paint that is easy to clean. All units are fitted with state-of-the-art galvanised hardware.

Okay, I'm convinced. How do I get one?

We sell online, directly from our website to the customer. Once you've placed your order, it takes approximately six weeks for your fully assembled units to be delivered to your home, ready for placement. You can have an empty room in the morning and a kitchen in the evening.

• Visit the Milestone Kitchens Showroom, 52 6th Street, Parkhurst, Joburg.