Am I overthinking this? Do most of you have freestanding ranges in your kitchen and they look just fine?

I'm so afraid of making, to borrow a phrase from Lou Holtz, "a 20 year mistake" because of shortsightedness(and short funds) now. Any advice? Any pictures of your perfectly lovely kitchen with a freestanding range? Thanks! And help!

Have you gone through the finished kitchens blog? The link should be in the READ ME FIRST post that floats around near the top page of this forum.

I think the most common setup is a freestanding range, whether it be a Roper or a La Canche. They look...NORMAL!

I think you're fine.

So thanks for the pep talk. Tomorrow I'll go shopping again and this time look at all the freestanding ranges I walked past the first time. Now my challenge will be to see if I can find an affordable range that has front control knobs, which is one reason I liked the slide-ins so much. Thanks again for the advice.

Oops. Am I about to commit a faux pas? I have a freestanding range w/ cabinets on either side with mantel hood above, and am planning a decorative backsplash. Is this a nono with freestanding ranges?

One question...I've never had a slide-in range, so I don't know...but, do you have to put a strip of countertop behind the slide-in range or does it go all the way to the back wall like a freestanding? I think I've seen them both ways on the Forum.

Also, I seem to recall on an earlier thread someone saying that with a slide-in it's important to have the range installed at template time...is this a necessity? I.e., if you plan to later put in a slide-in, is it possible?

Sorry, I don't mean to cause trouble, but I want to be sure that if Bluemoon28 plans to replace her freestanding w/a slide-in someday that she can...

I have to decide before getting my granite countertop done, since a slide-in will need a piece of granite at the back. Are there any disadvantages to slide-ins?

As for the space behind, you can opt for either a strip of counter, or for a strip (from the manufacturer) that matches the range. My neighbor just did that so that it's easier to switch later if she wants, and because she could get away without seams.

bluemoon, what do you mean about "reworking the cabinets" if you switch? There may be a problem with the counter template if you switch, but that's all. Also, there are freestanding ranges without a backsplash part (like the GE cafe) that can be used to acheive the look, without the countertop problem.

Thanks for the heads up about the GE Cafe freestanding. Gosh, that's gorgeous, though pricey.

As for now, I will keep my "retro" coiltop range until I can really decide what I want. I really want a Big Chill fridge, so I'm willing to go with a more standard electric range, though I still want convection.

I had a piece of 1inch granite strip put in behind my
range. My range is a slide in but it did not slide in
enough because of building codes. There is still a 1 inch
space where my range sticks out. With my granite it looks
built in. Sorry no current pic.

Here are some pictures that show how lovely free standing
can be. No worries yours will be amazing too. Free or
slide in.

~boxerpups

A grandma stove looking gorgeous

Those are gorgeous free-standing ranges, but to be realistic, bluemoon is talking about budget, and I don't think any of those would fall in the budget category.
All I ever had before this reno was a free-standing range, and yes, went through sticker shock while shopping for a slide-in. But, we love it! Love not having crumbs and crud fall down the sides, love the sleekness and clean look. Most of the pics above have a similar look to a slide-in with controls in front, and I'm guessing would probably all cost more than $1200 anyways. :>)

I would do a slide-in again no question. We do have a piece of granite behind ours, so I would ask both the granite fabricator and the appliance guy want to do if you end up with a free-standing range for now. Probably a model that has it's own back piece would be easiest. I also would hesitate about spending $500-$900 for a temporary fix. We couldn't give away our old free-standing stove (ended up being picked up by the garbage collector), so I'm sure you could find a temporary one for very little or no money. I'd advertise on Craig's List or at least look on there to see what was available.

Here are some beautiful freestanding ranges that are under
$1000. Check out Sears and Lowes. Try E-bay. With this
economy there are businesses that have to get rid of
some of their stock in order to survive. They are offering
free shipping and some great deals. Don't give up
a freestanding in a small price will still look lovely.

Bosch, GE, LG, Whirlpool, Frigidarie, Maytag,....
I hope you find a great deal.
~boxerpups

GE Range under $1000

LG under $1000 visit US Appliance

GE $1200

Kenmore $1200

Bosch under $1000 at AJMadison and $1200 Lowes

Bluemoon, there is a gorgeous Kitchenaid freestanding that has front controls and low back, so it looks like a slide-in, but the online reviews I've seen have been not good. The electronic panel would blow out when the self clean runs. They're also more pricey.

The crudy, gunky sides are only one reason I don't like inexpensive freestanding, the main one being asthetics. I don't like the part that sticks up where the knobs are. I associate it with over-the-range microwaves, apartments, and the 80s and 90s. BUT, that's my own personal hangup and associations, so it's seeing through my filter, and probably isn't most people's reality.

In reality though, staying within your budget is I think of utmost importance, and I think it's a much better decision to get a freestanding range now and upgrade to a slide in later. Or if you can live without a range for awhile longer, save up the extra $500, and then buy it, even if it means having a hole sized for a slide-in for a few months and cooking out of a toaster oven or the grill. You can also seriously hunt the scratch n dent sections for a slidein that's affordable or look on Craigslist. $1200 was the cheapest slide in I found too, and it was a Frigidaire.

One note, if you do a free-standing range with a built in backsplash inset, and you put it high enough to accommodate it, you are then probably stuck with free-standing until you change out the backsplash. So if you really do plan to upgrade to a slide-in, take that into account.

I love the red knobs on the GE Cafe Range. Gorgeous.
If you love the GE Cafe go to Lowes and Homedepot.
Be firm about what you are willing to spend. You will
be surprised to learn they will come down on the price.

Have you seen the GE Cafe in person?

It is really pretty but the GE Profile seemed better
quality for the price. What did you think?

We ended up with a Bosch slide in because my DH got
a super deal. He was firm about the price.
I am thrilled with the Bosch it ended up being
cheaper than the GE. No, I don't have those cool red
knobs but I have learned to live without them . : )
~boxerpups

If you mean the architect II series (I don't even try the KA site since they switched to that annoying flash format), one of my neighbors has it and I think it's actually worse looking than an honest standalone. It still has a fairly tall backsplash and to me it just looks silly having that big blank thing back there. However, she got a terrific price on it, something like $700 with convection oven and warming drawer. She just doesn't use the self-clean function.

Boxerpups, oh gosh, no, I have not looked at the GE Cafe in person. There is a dealer near work, so I may have to stop in without DH. Heck, I'm the one who cooks, right! I was looking at ranges ~$1,000 (smoothtop with single convection oven). Luckily, I am not in an area where high-end appliances are expected, though that Cafe would look awesome with my blue glass mosaic backsplash. Our "splurge" we would like to be the Big Chill fridge in blue.

Thanks!

So, if it's just the looks, do the freestanding, if you don't mind reaching over to control things.
That KA with the black backsplash is silly looking to me too. It also has an oblong burner in the back that is too small for my not huge dutch oven.
I think that the Frigidaire's are nice, and generally get some positive nods at the appliance forums. I have read some appliance tech's reviews elsewhere that say they are good appliances.

If I had my heart set on a focal point backsplash, with a medallion or something behind the range, then I'd buy a second hand plain jane to fill the hole until I could afford the slide in. Because the backguard of a free standing range is 48" from the floor, you really don't have a lot of room for a focal point backsplash behind one, especially if space constraints force you into an OTR. Now if you just want a decorative backsplash, as in a simple design all the same like all subway tile, or all mosaic tile, with no focal point, then a freestanding range can look quite beautiful with that type of decorative backsplash.

Either way, I'd not go over my budget without fully exploring other alternatives first.