Are you in the market for a refrigerator?
The first thing to consider is the dimensions and how you want it to perform and fit into your space.
The width is typically 36” or other options exists such as 30” wide for apartment size or a 30” column sub-zero refrigerator only or 48”, 60” or 72” combination high-end units but 36” wide is your typical refrigerator.
The heights will vary between each brand and even within a line. This is why it is very important to purchase your appliance BEFORE ordering your cabinetry. We need to be prepared for accommodating the height difference and how to utilize the space above the refrigerator.
Sub-zero is typically 84” high and Thermador is 84-1/2” high while Bertazzoni or GE is roughly 56” high. That ½” is key to the success of the cabinetry layout.
The depth is another thing to consider. Cabinet depth is typically 25 ½” - 27” deep in order to clear the countertop overhang. Or a standard depth is roughly 36” deep and the high-end refrigerators are roughly 24” finish with special hinges to align with the countertop.
The price will vary anywhere from $500 - $12,000. That’s quite a difference so set your budget BEFORE shopping and coming up with the perimeters of how you want the refrigerator to perform.
In the Rocky Bay Home project, I was replacing a 1984 frig that was 35 ½” width with a 36” wide new refrigerator. That ½” resulted in us having to move the wall ½”. I couldn’t find a refrigerator that fit my budget that was also the right height. So, I simply added a piece of wood at the top to fill in the gaping space above the frig that drove me nuts. It’s not perfect, but it will suffice for the time being.
The refrigerator is a huge investment and also takes up a lot of real estate in a kitchen. Recently, we wrapped up a small kitchen renovation that simply couldn’t fit a standard refrigerator. So, freezer and frig drawers were used instead and the function beautifully.
Overall, carefully weigh your purchase to make sure that it’s a good fit – both with budgets and with cabinets.
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