Stay Cool About Picking the Right Refrigerator
If all the options for refrigeration leave you hot under the collar, this guide to choosing a fridge and freezer will help you chill out
Few of us even think about refrigerators, much less obsess about them, until we're faced with dropping $2,000 to $10,000 on one. And wow, what a range in price for a home appliance that's supposed to do one basic thing: keep your food cold. What accounts for the price differences? Stick around while we discuss the main types of refrigerator styles to explain.
Side-by-side counter-depth option. This counter-depth refrigerator is a 36-inch side-by-side. As you can see, the doors stick out past the side panels and cabinets to allow the doors to fully swing open.
All-refrigerator or all-freezer counter-depth option. This style of refrigerator or freezer gives you a ton of cubic storage without the price tag of high-end commercial-style ones, but of course, you need more space to have two in the same area. Customizing your panels and cabinets can make these units look like custom built-ins for a little extra cost.
Electrolux IQ-Touch Series Counter-Depth French-Door Refrigerator
This is a side-by-side refrigerator with a bottom freezer and French doors.
Contemporary Refrigerators
There are many options for side-by-side models with sleek ice and water dispensers and door handles.
Fridgidaire Professional Series All Refrigerator
A custom trim kit panel makes this 32-inch freestanding counter-depth unit look like one huge commercial refrigerator/freezer.
2. Full-Depth, or Standard, Refrigerator
What it is: A standard-depth refrigerator is about 68 to 71 inches tall and 31 to 35 inches deep to the face of the doors.
Variations: These come in side-by-side, bottom-freezer and top-freezer options and stainless steel, white or black finishes.
When to use: When clearance isn’t a concern and you’re looking for the most amount of cubic storage with the least amount of width and height, the depth is where you get it. This also is the most affordable choice. For people used to a full-depth refrigerator, the interior storage of a counter-depth or built-in fridge might be a shock. It’s a good idea to compare cubic footage before you buy.
What it is: A standard-depth refrigerator is about 68 to 71 inches tall and 31 to 35 inches deep to the face of the doors.
Variations: These come in side-by-side, bottom-freezer and top-freezer options and stainless steel, white or black finishes.
When to use: When clearance isn’t a concern and you’re looking for the most amount of cubic storage with the least amount of width and height, the depth is where you get it. This also is the most affordable choice. For people used to a full-depth refrigerator, the interior storage of a counter-depth or built-in fridge might be a shock. It’s a good idea to compare cubic footage before you buy.
Whirlpool Gold GSS30C6EY Side-by-Side Refrigerator
From the front it’s hard to tell a standard-depth from a counter-depth refrigerator. The first clue will be the price tag: Counter-depth ones tend to cost more. Second, check the specs: A standard refrigerator can be 6 inches deeper. If you’re looking at this option, consider your circulation path; a standard-depth fridge can really change the flow and design of a kitchen.
Tip: By making the cabinets a custom depth around the refrigerator, you can get the look of a custom built-in refrigerator without the hefty price tag.
Find a local custom cabinet maker
Tip: By making the cabinets a custom depth around the refrigerator, you can get the look of a custom built-in refrigerator without the hefty price tag.
Find a local custom cabinet maker
3. Bottom-Freezer Built-In Refrigerator
What it is: Built-in units are typically 80 to 84 inches tall and 24 to 25 inches deep to the face of the door. The entire unit, including the door, is flush with the depth of most standard base cabinets. Bottom-freezer units are also referred to as over/under refrigerators; they most often come in 27-, 30- or 36-inch widths.
Variations: You can get most bottom-freezer built-ins in both stainless steel and panel-ready options, as well as glass fronts.
When to use: These are great for smaller kitchens because of the width. If you have a larger kitchen, you can use two of them side by side. The best location for this style of refrigerator is at the end of a cabinet run where the door swings open to the work triangle. You can specify the single-door units to have a right hinge or a left hinge.
What it is: Built-in units are typically 80 to 84 inches tall and 24 to 25 inches deep to the face of the door. The entire unit, including the door, is flush with the depth of most standard base cabinets. Bottom-freezer units are also referred to as over/under refrigerators; they most often come in 27-, 30- or 36-inch widths.
Variations: You can get most bottom-freezer built-ins in both stainless steel and panel-ready options, as well as glass fronts.
When to use: These are great for smaller kitchens because of the width. If you have a larger kitchen, you can use two of them side by side. The best location for this style of refrigerator is at the end of a cabinet run where the door swings open to the work triangle. You can specify the single-door units to have a right hinge or a left hinge.
Sub-Zero BI30U Built-In Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator
The classic single-door bottom-freezer built-in model is still one of my favorites. I prefer the produce I use every day to be up high and the frozen goods down below in the drawer.
4. Built-In Side-by-Side Refrigerator
What it is: A side-by-side unit has the refrigerator on the right and the freezer on the left, with the compressor on top.
Variations: They come with and without water in the door and are typically 24 to 25 inches deep to the door; 36, 42 or 48 inches wide; and 84 inches tall. Most have a freezer that's smaller than the refrigerator. They're also available in stainless steel or panel-ready options, as well as some glass door options.
When to use: These are best for kitchens where you have ample room for one large unit on a separate wall. They typically work best on the right-hand side of a wall of cabinets or perpendicular to the work triangle, due to the refrigerator's being on the right.
People often get "built-in" and "integrated" confused. The main difference is that a built-in might be flush to the cabinets and look sleek as can be, but it won't be completely hidden. The flange along the outside of the unit and the grille on top will give it away as a refrigerator, even if it has a matching cabinet panel.
What it is: A side-by-side unit has the refrigerator on the right and the freezer on the left, with the compressor on top.
Variations: They come with and without water in the door and are typically 24 to 25 inches deep to the door; 36, 42 or 48 inches wide; and 84 inches tall. Most have a freezer that's smaller than the refrigerator. They're also available in stainless steel or panel-ready options, as well as some glass door options.
When to use: These are best for kitchens where you have ample room for one large unit on a separate wall. They typically work best on the right-hand side of a wall of cabinets or perpendicular to the work triangle, due to the refrigerator's being on the right.
People often get "built-in" and "integrated" confused. The main difference is that a built-in might be flush to the cabinets and look sleek as can be, but it won't be completely hidden. The flange along the outside of the unit and the grille on top will give it away as a refrigerator, even if it has a matching cabinet panel.
Sub-Zero BI-42S Side-by-Side Refrigerator/Freezer
If you want a side-by-side unit, I suggest you go for at least 42 inches of width — if you have room for 48 inches, even better. The 36-inch side-by-sides don't have a lot of of cubic storage in the refrigerator section.
Between the ice and water on the door and the C-channel pulls, this panel-front built-in side-by-side is not trying to conceal its identity. The chalkboard panels are a nice alternative to stainless steel, alleviating fingerprint worries for the busy family who uses it.
GE Profile Built-In Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Here is the same refrigerator with wood panels as opposed to a chalkboard finish. With the flange along the outside edge and the water and ice in the door, it's not considered fully integrated. (See next for one of those.)
5. Fully Integrated Refrigerator and Freezer Column Units
What it is: Fully integrated refrigerators can be completely concealed with cabinet-panel fronts. The hinge style, the lack of an exposed frame and a design that allows the door panel to hide the compressor make this all possible. Whereas all-refrigerator and all-freezer units have been around for some time in restaurants, fully integrated column-style units are relatively new on the residential market. They allow for more flexibility because they can be put together as a custom side-by-side combination or kept separate.
Variations: Even though these units ideally have cabinet panels to hide them completely, they also come in stainless steel. Typical widths are 18, 24, 30 and 36 inches; heights range from 80 to 84 inches. They are 24 to 25 inches deep.
When to use: Choose this style if you are looking for the ultimate customization and flexibility, if you want to break up the location of your refrigerator or freezer, or if you want to make your refrigerator completely disappear. In this kitchen, the 30-inch refrigerator is the white panel door to the right of the ovens, and the 24-inch freezer is the oak-paneled door in the foreground concealed as part of the pantry cabinetry.
What it is: Fully integrated refrigerators can be completely concealed with cabinet-panel fronts. The hinge style, the lack of an exposed frame and a design that allows the door panel to hide the compressor make this all possible. Whereas all-refrigerator and all-freezer units have been around for some time in restaurants, fully integrated column-style units are relatively new on the residential market. They allow for more flexibility because they can be put together as a custom side-by-side combination or kept separate.
Variations: Even though these units ideally have cabinet panels to hide them completely, they also come in stainless steel. Typical widths are 18, 24, 30 and 36 inches; heights range from 80 to 84 inches. They are 24 to 25 inches deep.
When to use: Choose this style if you are looking for the ultimate customization and flexibility, if you want to break up the location of your refrigerator or freezer, or if you want to make your refrigerator completely disappear. In this kitchen, the 30-inch refrigerator is the white panel door to the right of the ovens, and the 24-inch freezer is the oak-paneled door in the foreground concealed as part of the pantry cabinetry.
Thermador 30-Inch Freedom Fresh Food Column
Column-style units can be stainless steel or panel ready for total concealment.
Some of the fully integrated units have drawers as well. Another benefit of this style of refrigeration is that you can create furniture-style cabinetry.
Sub-Zero 736TCI 36-Inch Built-In Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator
What’s nice about the Sub-Zero 700 series is that you can get an all-refrigerator, all-freezer or combo unit in which the freezer is in the bottom drawers.
What type of fridge works best for you?
Shop refrigerators on Houzz
What type of fridge works best for you?
Shop refrigerators on Houzz
What it is: Counter depth means the body of the unit is as deep as the countertop — but the doors extend past that due to the hinges. Counter-depth units are typically 32 to 36 inches wide, 24 to 26 inches deep (not including the door) and 68 to 71 inches tall. If you’re looking for a true built-in, a counter-depth refrigerator won’t cut it, but the price tag might: It’s often thousands of dollars less than a true built-in refrigerator.
Variations: This style refrigerator comes in many forms. French doors are very popular now, and because the side-by-side doors are half as wide as one door, they’re great for kitchens with tight clearances. Side-by-side and regular old bottom-freezer options also can be found. Like all the refrigerator types in this ideabook, they’re available in a range of finishes besides stainless steel.
When to use: This is a good choice if you’re looking for something that looks sleek and more built in than a standard-depth fridge, that has more clearance around the door and that costs less than a true built-in refrigerator.