We had a couple of inches open, not 5. We had our GC fill that in with light rail (decorative wooden trim). Now the fridge sits flush with the cabinet above.

I imagine you need some space for ventilation for the fridge , right? Otherwise it looks like it is missing the light rail trim piece. IMHO

Oh, now that makes sense - I'm new to all this, but I do know about light rail as my cabinet company installed it around the under cabinet lighting fixtures. My cabinet company and contractor are two separate entities I'm working with, so this looks like a call to the cabinet company. THANKS SO MUCH...I love the fact that I can get so much information here!

They should have installed a 3" taller cabinet above the fridge and made up the distance (2") with light rail and a filler. The designer goofed unless you spec'd a taller fridge than the standard 70".

That looks like a cabinet depth fridge instead of a built-in. The built-in ones are flush with the cabinets. Don't the built-in ones have a compressor thingy on top? Maybe they were allowing for that?

grrrr!!!! I do believe the designer goofed - I had printouts of all my appliances ahead of time. Do you know if all light rails are 2". I'm wondering it he would just install two 2-inch light rails and leave an inch open, or if there are 4-inch ones available?

If you look at my over the range microwave, I believe he erred there as well. Fortunately, I am 5'5" and my son is 6'1", so we can reach the microwave fairly easily, but this wouldn't work for shorter folks! Fortunately, the kitchen is such an improvement over what it was, I am very accepting, plus I'm glad to see this whole process come to an end!! :-)

Great idea about the filler with hinges -- solves the gap problem and makes it functional.

I like that solution alot...thank you so much! I'm learning that there are solutions to just about every problem if you post it here!

Thanks again!

Oooooh...I would love to have an extra space like that for cookie sheets and trays! Great solution.

Is that really a built-in fridge? It does look like a cabinet-depth fridge as someone else mentioned. If so, you might actually need at least a little gap for ventilation.

My built-in fridge is flush at the top, but they are designed for a flush fit on all sides - the compressor ventilation is either through the top or bottom, versus the back.

My KD purposely ordered the cabinets so there would be a little gap (maybe 2" -3") above the fridge, so that we would have some extra space in case refrigerators get bigger by the time we need to replace it. He filled it with a piece of the same wood that was used for the toekick and told us to just take that piece off if we ever need to. Here's a photo:

My terminology was wrong - the fridge is a counter depth fridge that my cabinet company built a cabinet for. Thanks again your input - another snafu that may become a feature to my advantage!!

I think I would insist on having the cabinet over the frig replaced with a taller cabinet.

Just today our contractor asked us if we wanted a strip put over the fridge or leave it open, so I searched for this thread that I'd previously passed by.

My understanding was that our cabinets were standard sizes, and having a taller cabinet wasn't an option - not that it was a measuring error. Guess I'll have to check on that.

It seems like having the option to have a taller fridge someday might be an advantage, and so keeping it as is with a strip or hinged strip (I love that idea!) might be best.

Let us know what you decide and how it looks!

I don't think it was a goof - the cabinet probably is a standard size as our was. We had extra filler and put it on hinges so we can open it for air/storage. I have to admit, after my husband did an amazing install, I rarely use it, but it's nice to be able to put it open/closed when needed. I think I got the hinges (two) at Lowes.

With filler/hinge: (excuse the living room mess)

Before:

pcjs - your husband did an awesome job!

My contractor came over and were are looking at all the solutions. I'm glad to know there are really good options out there!

I appreciate everyone's input!

I have checked Home Depot and Lowes and neither of them carries this "filler" piece people are referring to. I would like a stainless steel one with louvers so my fridge can breath. Amy suggestions?

Michael Elson have you tried looking at grate covers or patterned metal sheets for heaters in stainless steel that could blend with your fridge.

No and I'm not sure where to start. I can find pictures on line of what I am looking for but don't know where to fin them. I need a piece approximately 3" by 36".