Does your fridge manual have specs that give you the required clearances? That's what we used to determine spacing around ours...Approx 1/4" on each side and enough room at the top for the hinge to barely clear.

Yes, and I provided it to the cabinet makers and specified that I wanted it as built in looking as it could be. They pulled the upper cab out as well as the side run of cabs next to it, so depth wise it's going to be spot on. However, measuring the opening of the fridge cabinet from side to side and top to bottom has me worried that there will be too big of gaps once the fridge is in place. Looks like they made it to where there will be a 2" gap at the top and 1 1/2" on each side. Owners manual says it needs a 1/2" gap at the top and back to breathe but doesn't say anything about how much space is needed on the sides. I wonder if there is some kind of trim they can add to it to close the gap a little?

In the 2nd photo above, the cabinet is actually built large enough for if we need to replace the fridge and want to put in a 36". (that one is 32 or 33") We just put some painted trim pieces down the inside of the cabinet at the front edge. I actually prefer the heft that gives the cabinet surrounding the fridge, and will miss the look if we ever put in a 36" fridge. (That panel above it is there for the same reason...For a taller fridge. We now have a slab drawer front type of piece there to finish it out better.)

Okay, so our trim carpenter can probably do something to fill it in a bit. I guess it's better that the opening is a little too big rather than too small, but I'd sure like a nice tight fit like you've got. Thanks for the pictures and the info.

I agree w/RHome410...the extra width does give it more "heft". My end panels are only 3/4" (w/1/8" gaps b/w them and the refrigerator (CD)...according to specs) and they do look a little "wimpy" next to the refrigerator. But, I needed all the space I could get so I wouldn't do it differently.

However, you're getting the extra heft (and/or maybe expansion room)...so as long as they do something to finish off the gaps, I think you'll be fine.

What refrigerator is it? Perhaps one of us could dig up the specs for air clearance on the sides. I will say that regular refrigerators usually need more air clearance on all sides than counter-depth or true built-ins.

[I didn't post a pic b/c my refrigerator is counter-depth (CD), not regular/standard depth.]

Our fridge is a KitchenAid. I'll post a link to it.

Here is a link that might be useful: KitchenAid Fridge

According to the specs:
"To ensure proper ventilation for your refrigerator, allow for 1/2" (1.25 cm) space at the top and behind the refrigerator. If your refrigerator has an ice maker, allow extra space at the back for the water connections. When installing your refrigerator next to a fixed wall, leave 2 1/2" (6.3 cm) minimum on each side (some models require more) to allow for the door to swing open."

Note that it says 2-1/2" & that it is to allow the doors to swing open. So, they actually created an alcove 2" less than the specs state. However, as long as the end panels are no deeper than the refrigerator carcass/box depth + space needed behind it (1/2" + whatever else is needed), then you should be OK, even w/just 1-1/2" instead of 2-1/2". Also, if the only reason that much room is needed is to allow the doors to open, then I don't see why you cannot install a strip of filler on each side at the front of the refrigerator carcass. That would work with the finished end panels being the depth of the .

Remember, the doors have to stick out past the end panels & filler to open fully. BTW...if the refrigerator is being installed next to a wall that's deeper than the end panels, then you may need additional space b/w the wall and the end panels to allow the doors to open fully.

Here is a link that might be useful: KBFS25EVMS - Standard-Depth : French Door : 24.8 cu. ft. : 35 5/8

Neither side is on a fixed wall, so I would think that 2 1/2" clearance would not apply? I can understand why you need plenty of space if it is on a fixed wall, so that the door could open all the way. But what about if that's not the case? I couldn't find how much breathing room the sides needed if any. Did I miss it? Our fridge will only sink into the alcove up to the doors, and the depth there is spot on accounting for ice maker lines and breathing room. It's the side to side and top to bottom that seem too big to me. The fridge is just under 36" wide and just under 70" tall, but the opening is 39 1/2" wide by 72" tall which should give 2" clearance at the top when only 1/2" is needed and 1 3/4" on each side which seems like a lot to me. Here's a pic...

You're right...I don't know why they made it so wide & tall. Even though your refrigerator is a standard depth, it's almost 36" wide, which is becoming the "standard" width...so there's probably no need to plan for wider. The top I can see since the new "standard" is close to 72" high, so that may be planned for the future. I actually have 4" of so of empty space above my refrigerator but I also have filler to cover up the gap. My refrigerator is about the same height as yours, so I needed room to expand later...but probably not 4" worth!

I think RHome410 has a great idea of putting a slab drawer front piece across the top filler to make it look "planned" and more "finished". Unfortunately for me, my door style wouldn't work b/c it needs almost 7" to fit the frame + a center...and I think you're in the same boat since your style is similar to mine.

I wonder if the real reason has more to do with measurements in general on that wall. Maybe it was made bigger to take up a couple more inches of room so there would be less filler elsewhere. If there wasn't at least 3" that could be tacked on one of the middle cabinets (or 6" to balance two cabinets...3" for each), then maybe the thought was that rather than have two inches of additional blank wall on one side or even an inch on each side, it would look better to have those 2" in the refrigerator alcove.

Have you asked them why there's so much extra width?

I haven't asked yet, but I do plan to. Our trim carpenters are wonderful and accomodating, so I think if it can be done they will do it. They're the ones who installed the cabinets. Hopefully they'll be able to add trim easy enough. I appreciate all your help.:-)

rhome's solution of trim pieces to allow for a larger future fridge is one recommended by Kelly Morisseau, a CMKBD (Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer) who blogs at kitchensync.com. See link below.

Wish we'd thought of this when we built 16 years ago. Our cabinet was wide enough to accommodate a 36" wide fridge (5/8" plus 1" face frame on each side) but not tall enough for a 72" tall fridge. It was 2" too short. We had to Jerry-rig our existing cabinet by boosting it up on 2" tall plywood strips. It's not the prettiest fix but it will work until we can remodel.

Nice kitchen! I look forward to seeing it finished (as I'm sure you do, too).

Here is a link that might be useful: kitchen sync - refrigerator hinges