recently bought a new refrigerator. At first, the measurements seemed correct, but after seeing the fridge, I’m not sure how I feel about it. Our family of five could not fit inside our previous refrigerator, which was the best size below this one. Without a doubt, we need the room for our goods. Just a counter-depth refrigerator will not do. How awful does the fridge look?
This fridge will have to do if a smaller refrigerator isn’t big enough.
Yes, it is very large and visually dominates the kitchen. However, the kitchen is a functional area, so if you require a refrigerator that large for practical reasons, then that is the situation. Maybe it’s worth making the concession as long as you can still maneuver around it and access the doors.
Personally, I would start by getting used to a smaller refrigerator. Although I don’t have a huge family, I grew up in one, and our refrigerator was only about half as size with a very tiny frozen section. In the garage, we did have a chest freezer as well.
@Cabby We did have a smaller refrigerator, and keeping our groceries organized was really challenging. Along with my spouse, we have a toddler and school-age children. The next size up was something this size, so it was clear that it was not working out.
It appears a little too huge, but not unusably so; if you require the extra area, I don’t see any problems. Are you certain you’ve gone as far as you can with it?
@Dacosta The doors appear to be twice as thick as mine, hence a thicker space is required because they must be able to be opened. You are able to view the sides. I would simply handle it.
I believe the design has more visual weight because it is square in shape. Having said that, I would try my best to ignore it because I understand how important refrigerator space is.
@Kristen I really appreciate your advice. Yes, it appears that the majority of refrigerators nowadays are constructed with a lot of square footage and weight.
@Bailey Their product is referred to as a counter-depth refrigerator. They often have a little bit more height but are comparable in width. I’m moving into a new place with a big, brand-new fridge that we intend to sell for a counter-depth refrigerator! In worst case, you would have to take out the upper cabinets to create space. Or perhaps there is ample room already.
Coming to this late but you may be able to get another inch or two out of the wall behind the fridge. Google “recessing refrigerator into the wall.” How far you are able to do this depends on the wall thickness and if there are any mechanicals in that wall. Make sure that your refrigerator is a model that vents from the front.
That and adding panels around the fridge would make a huge difference aesthetically. You could also consider moving the cabinet on top of the fridge forward or just adding an additional one in front of it.
The biggest issue (to me) is that the refrigerator blocks the entry into the kitchen which is already quite narrow. If it’s possible to move or widen that entry at all the other direction to compensate that would be well worth doing.
@Reafe Hi, indeed, we did. We saw a few in person, however we were unable to buy a counter-depth refrigerator due to the wall to the left in the third image. When opening the doors of most of the refrigerators we observed, they had to protrude a little.