Goodbye To The Built-In Kitchen Look: The Cabinet Trend We'll Be Seeing More Of In 2026

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Traditional kitchen cabinets are often considered the perfect storage solution all on their own. However, other variations of the standard kitchen cabinet design can make them even more efficient for storage and styling. The 2026 freestanding kitchen cabinet trend is the perfect example of this. Just as the name suggests, these cabinets differ from traditional cabinetry in that they are not built into walls or attached to floors. Instead, they stand alone and can be moved around within the kitchen. This provides a long list of benefits, including design flexibility and more styling options, among others. The popularity of this feature suggests that built-in kitchen cabinets might be going out of style.

If you've been looking for a storage solution that allows you to switch up your kitchen layout, freestanding kitchen cabinets might just be the right choice for you. Although traditional built-in kitchen cabinets are the most popular option, they are quite limiting. The cabinets typically require costly professional installation. The process is priced an estimated $100 to $650 per linear foot on average. If you would like to personalize your kitchen by installing custom cabinets as part of a renovation, you should expect to pay even more, about $500 and $1,200 per linear foot. Freestanding cabinets don't have to be installed, just assembled, and you can typically put them together without the help of professionals. This means that homeowners get to avoid professional installation costs and the overall high price of built-in kitchen cabinets. 

The freestanding kitchen cabinet craze is expected to increase in 2026, but why is this? Given the flexibility of this exciting kitchen design trend, homeowners are likely seeking to embrace versatility and personalization. The traditional kitchen cabinets of the past are functionally and visually limiting. With freestanding cabinets, homeowners can alter their kitchen layout as needed and design a space that is aesthetically unique. 

Simplified cleaning is another perk provided by this cabinetry that might explain its appeal. The freestanding design gives you 360-degree access to the cabinet to clean the surface thoroughly. You can also move the storage units to easily clean the floor underneath them and the wall behind them. If freestanding kitchen pantry cabinets are now on your wishlist, check out one like the TEENFON pantry cabinet for less than $140. You can not only store items inside of the body of the cabinet, but the doors also include a total of six shelves.