Find Great Refrigeration in the Size You Need

by Rachel Lyon, Editorial Director for Direct from the Designers

Don’t skimp out with a generic fridge! There are so many things to take into consideration to make the right refrigeration choice(s) for your home. From the size and layout of the appliance, to how it installs, to the interior storage features—every aspect has something to offer in terms of aesthetics or practicality. Before you get into the specifics, you should acquaint yourself with the different size options. Whether you’re shopping for your kitchen, a wet bar or game room, or for overflow cold storage to keep your family well-stocked for months, here’s how different types of refrigerators stack up!

Standard Kitchen Refrigerators

The average refrigerator is larger than it used to be. This is due to expanding homes with larger kitchens and changing lifestyles—not many of us have the time to shop every day or two! Fridges come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to fit different kitchen and household needs as a result, so you have to shop intentionally.

Most fridges are about the same height, so look at width and depth to compare your options. Standard-depth models provide more cubic footage than counter-depth ones at the same width; this is why standard-depth fridges offer a greater range of widths while counter-depth fridges err on the wider side to offer enough volume. You’ll find both of these styles available in freestanding refrigerators, but if you want a built-in look, counter-depth will be your only choice and you’ll have to plan for a wider fridge. Consider your kitchen design aspirations and how much space you need for cold storage—you may need to modify your cabinetry or choose something else that works with the existing layout of your kitchen. Whatever you go with, you’ll be happy to know that the vast majority of today’s refrigerators offer a host of nifty features that make organization a snap, regardless of size.

Custom Kitchen Refrigerators

If you can’t find a refrigerator with the right balance, don’t despair. Some families buy two of the same model and install them side-by-side with opposite door swings to create the illusion of a super-wide fridge. Bottom-freezer refrigerators work best in this case, because side-by-side and French door styles would have four doors across the width and look busy. Alternatively, you can also build your own solution with two appliances—a full fridge and a standalone freezer. Just make sure they have the same height, depth, and overall appearance and you can do the same thing. Not a fan of hobbling together your own solution? Ask a professional kitchen designer for help, or order a custom refrigerator that meets all your needs.

Undercounter Refrigerators

They may be small, but undercounter fridges still give you a lot to think about! They come in three main types—wine cellars engineered to keep your collection in optimal conditions, beverage centers for soft drinks and other items, and regular refrigerators for everyday needs. Given their size and how they install neatly under countertops, you’ll find these appliances included in kitchens, butler’s pantries, dining rooms, wet bars, game rooms, etc. They may seem niche, but many families install undercounter refrigeration to add a bit more cold storage where they need it and to keep the main refrigerator clear of soda/alcohol.

Undercounter appliances are specialized—they aren’t like generic mini-fridges. For example, wine cellars are designed to keep reds and whites at the right temperatures in their own zones. They also have UV-protected glass doors to keep your collection on display without allowing damaging UV light in. Beverage centers often include a section for wine, but they have fewer racks to make room for shelves for other drinks. Both have swinging doors and pull-out shelves/racks to keep bottles and cans in order and accessible. On the other hand, undercounter fridges eschew the fancy racks to offer more flexible storage space to use however you need. They come in swinging door—with or without glass windows—and pull-out drawer configurations, so you can choose what works best for your space. You’d probably choose something different for the kitchen than a media room, after all!

Chest Refrigerators/Freezers

Do you need more cold storage space than you have room for inside? You’re not alone! Whether you have a large family to feed, like to buy everything in bulk, or farm/hunt your own food and need it to last through the seasons, a secondary refrigerator and/or freezer in the garage or basement can help. Most people opt for a chest model in these cases as they’re specifically designed to be placed in unfinished—but protected and enclosed—areas. If you don’t like reaching down into a chest, upright models are also available. In any case, make sure to compare options. Some only function as freezers while others are convertible for refrigeration needs. Many are simply cold empty boxes, but others include different levels and baskets to keep everything in order. As with any other refrigerator, you have to take a look inside!

If you’re in the market for great refrigeration, see what Whirlpool®, KitchenAid®, and JennAir® have in store! These brands cater to the full range of budgets and offer a variety of fridge solutions for your kitchen and beyond. And with all the configurations and finishes available in their catalogs, you’re sure to find something that checks your style boxes, too!