The first item to consider when buying a new fridge is to figure out what size will fit your kitchen space. After that, then you can worry about the style and features that you like best. It’s easy to become infatuated by a sleek design, but appearance doesn’t mean a thing if the product isn’t practical enough to fit in your home.
Most people gravitate toward a French door refrigerator because of the pristine exterior and wide drawers and shelves that help keep fruits and veggies at eye level. If you’re looking for more storage space in your freezer, you may prefer a side-by-side model—if you want to maximize your kitchen area without your appliances feeling too congested, a counter-depth fridge is a valuable space-saver for an open, airy feel.
Purchasing a new refrigerator is a major decision that requires plenty of in-depth and thought-out research. We encourage you to explore your options to get a feel for the different features that each model has to offer. Make a few phone calls, check out some showrooms, and survey every possibility. And to help guide your research even further, our latest article will help explain everything you need to consider in your refrigerator buying journey.
What Size Fridge?
As we mentioned, size is the most important factor when determining the type of fridge that will fit in your kitchen. Refrigerators are typically measured by their internal capacity in cubic feet, but as nice as it is to know how many bags of groceries you can fit, it’s more important to focus on the external dimensions and limiting factors such as height and width.
When measuring the open space where you intend to place your refrigeration appliance, measure the depth at waist-height and from the top where your cabinetry might be placed. If you have a baseboard, you may also want to measure from the bottom of the floor as protrusion from the wall trim can limit the available fridge space.
Take a few precise measurements of height and width to be sure you’ve got the right fit. If the space for your fridge is somewhat asymmetrical, it might take a few additional readings. Be sure you keep an extra inch free at the top, back, and around the sides of your fridge to leave room for proper ventilation and air circulation.
And if you’re moving up in size, don’t forget to measure the entryways into your kitchen and your home. A new fridge is always nice, but it does little good if it can’t make it through the door.
The Right Door Style:
French Door
Atop most kitchen appliances lists, French door refrigerator models are leading the charge in terms of popular style and functionality. French door fridges come equipped with a bottom-mounted freezer that opens like a drawer and two half-width doors on the exterior that have an expanded, flush opening. They typically range from 30 to 36 inches wide and our favorite model is the Samsung Full Depth French Door Refrigerator—RF28R6201DT.
Side-by-Side
Side-by-side refrigerators are split vertically down the middle with the freezer compartment on the left and the refrigeration compartment on the right. With two separate cooling areas and a vertical design, this model typically has more storage space for frozen food and it’s easier to organize food items because there is more accessible shelving at eye level. Side-by-side models are commonly found from 33 to 36 inches wide—we’re quite fond of the GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator—GSS25GSHSS.
Top Freezer
Top-freezer models have a top-mounted freezer with a full-width door on the outside of the fridge. It’s the everyman refrigerator—a classic, no-frills kind of icebox that gets the job done regardless of appearance. Despite the growing popularity of French door models, top freezers are still out in front in terms of refrigerators sold by unit. Top-freezers are a smaller appliance, typically ranging from 24 to 33 inches wide. Check out this Stainless Steel Whirlpool Top Freezer Model—WRT311FZDM.
Counter Depth
Counter depth fridges are the most shallow option of all the standard fridge models—measuring around 25 inches from the back of the fridge to the door seal. The doors will stick out slightly from the counter because there still needs to be enough room for them to swing open, but counter depth fridges still integrate nicely into your kitchen and create an open space so walk paths can remain unobstructed. Counter-depth fridge models are commonly found in French door and side-by-side styles. KitchenAid Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator— KRFC300ESS is a great option.
Additional Styles
If you live in a smaller home or apartment with a narrow kitchen space, you’ll be best suited for a bottom-freezer design. Built-in refrigerators are becoming a well-known commodity in the high-end kitchen appliance market because the paneling and size are made customizable to match any kitchen design.
Features:
The Finish
Stainless steel is the most durable refrigerator finish that can fit into any kitchen décor. There are even fingerprint-resistant finishes available so you can erase the worry of smudging the exterior of your appliance. Black stainless steel is also becoming an increasingly popular finish because of its elegant look. It’s a regular stainless steel gloss with a dark polymer coating—much easier to keep clean than traditional stainless.
A regular white or black finish is not always available in more modern refrigerators and the bright colors of golden yellow and avocado green are reserved for retro-fridges.
Handle Style
The handles are one of the few features of the fridge that you’ll notice when it’s closed, making this a valuable aesthetic choice for some buyers. There are European-style handles that offer a curvaceous and ergonomic look, and there are pro-style handles that are straight and more textured or rugged looking. Handleless fridges are also an option where the grooves are located on the side of the door to create the opening. These are less functional than a traditional handle because you grab hold from the grip and cannot open the fridge from any direction.
Drawers and Shelves
Drawers and shelves are the most crucial feature on the inside of your appliance. Drawers with rollers open and close much smoother than plastic bins that slide in and out. Glass spill-proof shelving helps to contain any spilled beverage or condiment and a folding shelf lets you expand your storage space for large or overly tall items without adjusting the height.
Gallon door storage can also free up plenty of room on the shelf by allowing you to fit the jug of milk or orange juice on the door. Popular in many French door refrigerator models, full-width crisper drawers are great for storing produce at the perfect temperature and keeping after-school snacks in reach for those hungry kiddos.
Ice Makers and Water Dispensers
A built-in ice maker or water dispenser is a simple convenience with plenty of upside. You never have to worry about having clean water or ice with built-in dispensers on the exterior of the fridge or built inside the door. Soda, iced coffee, lemonade, or any other beverage can be enjoyed with plenty of crisp ice at the touch of a button. They do require the filters to be swapped out somewhat regularly, but it’s a small price to pay for fresh filtered water.
Climate Control
Climate control or humidity control is another feature that you’ll see much more often in newer or high-end refrigerator models. The control system delivers premium temperature management to both the fridge and freezer compartments and adapts to its surrounding environment. There are separate evaporators in the refrigerator and freezer that maintain independent temperature control and maintain humidity two times that of refrigerators with shared cooling.
Energy Efficiency
All modern-day refrigerators use far less energy than the prehistoric models at your grandma’s house. Your energy bill will certainly drop once you make the upgrade, so go ahead—give your wallet some relief. A typical household fridge with the Energy Star rating can save you upward of 165 dollars per year. When you shop for your new fridge, be sure to keep an eye out for that Energy Star certification.
Smart Features
Smart features are making their presence known in the high-end kitchen appliance space. The most common of those features are Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled technology, and the flashiest specs feature door-mounted touchscreen tablets, built-in cameras, voice assistance, and smartphone apps that allow you to manually control the internal temperature and make grocery lists.
Now that you know all about some of the potential refrigerator styles, finishes, and features, it’s time to open the door to a new world of refrigeration possibilities. If you’re open to any type of fridge for your kitchen space, we recommend a French door refrigerator for style and storage. If you’re looking for something to fit your outdoor kitchen space, we also have a great line of compact and under-counter refrigerators. And if you just can’t make up your mind or you need more information, give us a call or chat with us today to discuss our entire catalog of refrigeration appliances. We’ll answer any questions you have and help you find the perfect fit.