More flexibility with free-standing table. Use just 2 opposing chairs or shift the table a few inches for more space on one side, move the table against a wall and make it a desk, replace the table and chairs with any other furniture you want. Just limited by your imagination. I built a 'U' shaped unit with two desk surfaces, bookcase under the window and a single computer chair in the middle. Kept the factory table and chairs and returned everything to original before I sold the fiver.