The stove serves as the focal point for many kitchens. Some kitchens are even designed around a particular type of built-in or stand alone stove. Clearly there are some differences between having one or the other in your kitchen. Make the choice between having either a built-in stove or a standalone stove takes many factors into consideration.

SPACE
Both standalones and built-in stoves take space constraints to heart. The best design and most energy efficient stove has no place in a kitchen where there is not ample space. New construction homes are often provided with new appliances. The possibility of taking those appliances to another home always exists and gives many people reason to chose a standalone stove rather than a built-in. Standalone stoves also work well for kitchen that have fixed cabinetry.

VARIETY
Hands down the standalone stove comes in a great deal more shapes and sizes than the built-in stove. This is not to suggest that there are a limited number of built-in stoves. However, the choice for a built-in stove is often to suit a particular space more than the selection of the stove. For example, a kitchen modernization project where new appliances such as the stove, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher will all be built-in to suit the overall redesign of the kitchen.

LIMITATIONS
The perfect built-in or standalone stove may be in the making. In the meantime, there are limitations to either choice in the kitchen scheme of things. Built-in stoves are in a fixed place and do not offer the option to place them in another area in the kitchen without having reconstructive work done to the kitchen to make a new built-in space. Likewise, standalone stoves can move around and have a freestanding place in the kitchen but don't offer the cohesive together look that you can achieve with a built-in.

COST
Although the prices are comparatively close when it comes to built-in stoves and standalone stoves, the cost that is incurred to install a built-in stove. Even a basic design built-in stove design may result in a significant cost over a standalone stove.

Very few kitchens function without a stove. Deciding what type of stove to have depends on a number of factors. Such factors include the amount of cooking that will be done on the stove, the amount of space in the kitchen that has been allotted to a stove, the budgetary amount that can be spent.

Perhaps the most important decision is to select a stove that will not only suit the needs of those who use it but one that looks well, provides ample versatility and creates a look that is both stylish and complimentary to the rest of the kitchen design. Meeting these criteria will ensure satisfaction with a stove selection of either type and provide users with a stove that offers preparation choices for many delicious meals for years to come; objectives which can be accomplished on both a built-in stove and a standalone stove in the right kitchen setting.