Size:
When it comes to a free standing kitchen cabinet, Rita Konig recommends opting for one that measures 25 inches wide. Though cabinets can be narrower, this is a good size for making sure you can store everything properly without it looking cramped. As for height, this will greatly vary depending on the shape of the cabinet you choose. In general, always leave a 10 inch gap between the top of your cabinet and where the ceiling begins. This will stop light from being blocked and also create a more open look in your kitchen. Some kitchen cabinets are split down the center, too, with half dedicated to shelving and the other half to counter space. These types of counters tend to be wider, though they can be a solid substitute if you have a lack of counter space.
Shape:
Just like with most cabinets, rectangular is the most popular shape for a free standing kitchen cabinet. However, you can still find a cabinet with an interesting silhouette if that's what you prefer. Details like curved or tapered legs will help to give your cabinet some character, as will cutouts in the middle or at the top/bottom. Additionally, some cabinets have a separate cupboard section that will break up the boxy rectangular silhouette of a typical cabinet. Due to the cabinets on this list being free standing, they will take up room in stature, if not necessarily width. If you have a lot of shorter shapes in your kitchen such as squares, place your cabinet strategically so these smaller furniture items don't look out of place.
Style and Color:
Robert Stilin states that a lot of free standing kitchen cabinets feature a farmhouse or distressed coastal style. This is partially because these two styles are common for kitchens and create a charming, cozy look, but also because they prevent a cabinet from looking overly dull. The design of some kitchen cabinets can be uninspired, but by opting for one with character details like curved handles and paneling, you won't have to worry about your kitchen cabinet appearing uninteresting. For colors, light and mid-brown shades of wood are a good and versatile option that will never go out of style. While it does have a distinguished feel, extra dark wood can look awkward in a kitchen, especially if it is small, so we recommend choosing a lighter shade.
Storage:
A free standing kitchen cabinet should have at least three shelves, whether these shelves are on display or behind doors. In addition to this, a useful storage feature in a kitchen cabinet is hooks. Hooks will give you a place to put dishcloths and other kitchen essentials like cooking utensils. A kitchen cabinet can even have wine bottle storage, a must-have if you entertain often and hate the look of bottles on the counter. Moreover, a counter shelf can either act as counter space or as a spot to put a microwave or rice cooker, therefore saving your actual counters from being cluttered. These features tend to only appear in larger free standing cabinets, so keep this in mind when searching.