Well, I'm not a fan of open shelves in general...so I'd say cabinet that's the depth of the refrigerator....even if you have to pull a 12" above fridge cabinet out to make it flush w/the refrigerator "carcass".

One question, is recessing the refrigerator into the wall behind it an option? Even 3 or 4 inches (the amount you'd gain w/a standard wall depth) would really help. Even better would be if you could recess it into the room behind it to make it look built-in!

How tall are your ceilings and how tall are adjacent cabinets? I have 2 fridges...1 has tall, deep storage over it where I'm currently storing vases, cake plates, and other less often used things. The other fridge is next to the matching freezer, and I plan to steal the idea from Trailrunner and put a shelf for cookbooks right above them, and closed cabinets above that.

Here is a link that might be useful:

When I posed the same question to my KD she said what Buehl did: cabinet the depth of the fridge to fake a built in look. I have a counter depth LG fridge; Thermador and Sub Zero are not in the ballpark for both budget and priority reasons. She thinks I will store cookie sheets in there, although I know my cookie sheets are too important to be banished to Siberia.
Here's a pic without the fridge in place yet (please excuse the construction zone/temp kitchen mess):

Thanks for the input. I'm leaning towards using doors because at least I'll be able to "hide" stuff.

Recessing into a wall isn't an option as this is an outside wall. BTW this is new construction that was so carefully planned "on paper". But the reality is I has limitations to work within.

The wall height is 9ft. then slopes to 20ft. cathedral ceilings. Upper cabs will be at 96".

I'll talk to my KD about bringing the upper cabinet over fridge to the same depth.

Jenn

buehl- which model fridge did you get? My bigger problem is that I need to stick with a 33" wide fridge so the fridge doesn't sit "practically" on top of my window trim.
I've been unable to find a 33" counter depth.
Thanks
Jenn

Cabinets are above mine, with a space of about 6" between the top of the fridge and the cabinets. The cabinets are 18" deep, so there's some room for storage. Mostly, I keep seasonal stuff up there - plus the lunchboxes.

DonnaR/CA

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen

Sorry Jenanla, mine is 36" wide. I don't remember seeing a 33" CD when I was looking, but I was looking for a 36".

FWIW...I have a GE Profile Energy Star® Counter-Depth 20.9 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator with External Water Dispenser Model#: PFCS1NJWSS.

Here is a link that might be useful: GE Profile Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator PFCS1NJWSS

How about Liebherr? Gotta go to work, and don't have time to research it, but they have some narrower CDs I think.

Thanks again for all of the tips. I just need to make a decision and stick with it, as my cabinet order will depend on what I choose.

Buehl- I looked at the fridge you got, and I have to say that it is my favorite of the bottom freezers. Most that I have looked at seem to have so much less useable space than the Kenmore that I currently have.

Claybabe- I am going to look into the Liebherr, not sure if it is out of my price range or not, but I have another week before I need to order cabinets.

Rhome- I do like the idea of a place to put cookbooks.

bluekit- your progress is coming along quite nicely, and that granite, Wow!

donnar-Thanks for the link, your kitchen looks great.

Jenn

Someone has wine storage above the fridge...
We did a full depth cabinet but, at 84" tall, it's too short for cookie sheets & such. But it works for paper towels and SS cleaner, etc.

I like having one really deep cabinet, even if it isn't that terribly accessible.

(I keep my cookie sheets up there, bcs my cabs are 42" high overall, so I could fit something pretty tall there).

I have counter depth FD (36"). I have cab out to the front if it above, and I just finished filling it with tray dividers. Initially I thought I would put dividers in half and junk in the other half, but I found I had plenty of stuff that fits vertically with dividers - enough to fill it. Since I have only 7'6" ceilings the cabinet isn't very high - just right for trays, lids, etc.

My vote is for a cabinet rather than open shelves for two reasons.

First (and to me most important) because that is an awkward place to clean. Open shelves need to be dusted fairly often and it is a pain to get up there every week and do it.

Second, it will make the fridge look like it fits in with the rest of the cabinets better.

I will have a regular depth refrig, recessed into the wall. The cabinet that will go over the refrig will be pulled out 3" from the wall so that it will line up with the front of the refrig for easier access.

I actually asked my KD about pull-out shelves for in the cabinet above the refrigerator (and for the upper part of the tall cabinet next to the refrigerator). He didn't think it made sense because when you pulled it out all you would see was the bottom of the shelf, but if I have to stand on a chair to reach things in that upper cabinet anyway, doesn't it make sense to put pullout shelves in there so I can more easily reach the stuff on the back of the shelves? I thought it did, but I let it drop. Maybe I should have kept trying to convince him that it was a good idea?

Patti

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

You've all convinced me that a cabinet will work best. Now if I could only find a 33" fridge that will work.

I looked into the 30" Liebherr built-in, but I think it is out of the budget (honestly if I could work this price into my budget I'd probably go with the 27" Sub-zero, because I love the look) The 24" Liebherr integrated is more budget friendly, but so small.

The hunt is on.

Have you looked at Fisher & Paykel? Their model E522B is counter depth, 31+ inches wide. This is what we just plunked down money for - can't wait to get it...

Here is a link that might be useful: F&P E522B

Susan,

I'd get the F&P in a second if it came in black. We are building an Antique Reproduction home, so I feel the stainless is too modern looking and the white is just too white.

I emailed F&P 2 days ago to see if black is ever an option. I've considered painting the white, but I'll still be left with white seals.

I'm sure you'll enjoy yours, it looks like a great appliance.

Jenn