skip to main content

Standard vs Cabinet depth refrigerators

15 years ago

It seems like many people on GW have CD refrigerators. DH does not want to spend more for less space w/ the CD. Our fridge would be in the middle of a wall w/ small pantry to the right and possibly w/ microwave built in small cabinetry to the left. Would this stick out like a sore thumb?

Comments (11)

klaa2
15 years ago
Not if you build out the cabinet and pantry to match the depth of the refrigerator.
laxsupermom
15 years ago
If the frig isn't on an exterior wall, you could recess the frig into the wall.
Related Discussions
42' counter depth vs 36' standard french door fridge
Q
Comments (19)
I have what KristianCO has, but without the wine slots in between. At least at the time, that required ordering a panel that goes between them -- an insulation panel, I think? She mentioned the ice -- another reason I liked the Thermador over the SZ. The SZ had the ice down at the bottom, nearly on the floor. That just doesn't work for all the ice we can use here in Texas. Fori, it's not having a second fridge to make up for the failures of the first one. People who spend $3 million on a house as well as the guest who walk into one expect a certain lifestyle to go with it. Even if they don't cook, they probably entertain. If they don't entertain, they want to look like they do -- or at least they could. In my area, people look for a space for a second fridge in homes by the time they hit $250-350K. By $1 mil, they expect a second fridge regardless of how big the one in the main kitchen is. Beverage fridge somewhere in the house or in an outdoor kitchen is probably also desired if not expected. I've seen homes below $1 mil (at the time) that had built-in fridge, second fridge space in the utility, a wine fridge and a small beverage fridge in the master suite. Those homes are probably between $1 mil and $2 mil now, but they give a clue what folks look for when they reach a certain price point. Yes, you can design for change and tear out a pantry, assuming you also left the upper clearance, and maybe it won't make a mess of flooring and cabinets, but in a $3 mil home, I don't think you are going to save a lot of money in the long run. First, you have to plan the layout to include a tall pantry and cabinet above the fridge that would be lost or have a 12" or greater opening and dress that off. That would all be lost when changing the fridge and you could have the cost of cutting down the above fridge cabinet and doors or a new cabinet. All the crown on that wall will probably need to be removed to change the upper cabinet. Your toe kicks will have to be removed and adjusted. Not a big deal, but another detail. And if any of these trim pieces split when being removed, you have to match trim and finish. This won't break the bank for anyone living in a $3 mill plus home, but it is enough that you can see the savings may be negligible or non-existent. Not to mention that after suffering through an entire build out, the last thing you will want to do is any reno any time in the reasonably foreseeable future. Most folks are exhausted well before the build is done. Ok to do it - but be honest with yourself about the cost, especially if you are not a DIYer.
...See More
42' counter depth vs 36' standard french door fridge
Q
Comments (14)
From priciest to least expensive: 1. there are built in fridges like sub-z and that ilk where the doors are flush to the surrounding cabinets. you can get panels for these, generally. 2. there are counter depth fridges where the doors stand proud of the counters by a few inches but the body of the fridge is flush to the counter. you can get panels for some of these. 3. there are standard fridges where the body of the fridge stands forward of the counters. I don't think these come with a panel option. I found about 1-2K difference in price between #2 & #3 so bought #3 for a new build and made a 6" alcove for the back to recess into. I had no problems with "lost" items, it seemed very similar to a #2 type fridge I had of the same manufacturer in a prior home. A fridge will last 10-20 years, your kitchen may last longer than that. I really liked the alcove option, it seems you will always win when you can buy a less expensive appliance with more space.
...See More
Standard vs Counter Depth refrigerator
Q
Comments (23)
I absolutely love my LG French Door counter depth fridge. We moved into a split entry home with a small kitchen in May and as soon as you walked into the kitchen you just saw a wall of giant fridge. Our old fridge was a side by side so stuff was always going bad in the back and it was just obtrusive. When we renovated our kitchen we we adamant that we would put in a counter depth fridge and built cabinets around it to give it a built in look. It is gorgeous, my food is easily accessible, and my kitchen feels so much bigger even with adding a 48" peninsula! Sorry my before pic isn't great! Silly me got carried away with renovation and forgot to take some! This picture is from the listing when we bought the house and it isn't great (probably trying hide how ugly the fridge is)!
...See More
Standard depth refrigerator build-out suggestions please!
Q
Comments (23)
Appliances die sooner than cabinets. And refrigerators are not standard sizes. So I would not design for a specific refrigerator. We had an exisiting refrigerator that was only a couple of years old. But it was on the small side so we had our GC design side trim pieces and a shelf above that could be easily removed if the replacement refrigerator down the line was bigger.
...See More
Laurie
15 years ago
Our refrigerator is in the middle of a wall with a pantry on the left and cabinets on the right. When we did the remodel, we kept the white refrig & stove because we wanted to save money and because they were still fairly new. I feel the refrig does stick out like a sore thumb and I can not wait until we someday can replace it with a ss one that does not stick out so far!!

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}
flseadog
15 years ago
Maybe someday the kitchen will be done and I'll be able to post pictures. We've been planning so long it feels like forever. Our refrigerator will be the new colossal Samsung standard depth. It's at the end of a 10.5 wall of cabinets that includes the microwave. Our base cabinets will be pulled forward so the counter top will be 30" deep. 18" deep appliance garages sit underneath the wall cabinets that are pulled forward 5" from the wall (13" for the cabinets plus 5" to form the appliance garage underneath). It's too hard to describe the details but the general idea is that if you have enough room you can pull the base cabinets and the wall cabinets forward to the same line as the refrigerator. This way you gain counter depth and the the refrigerator doesn't stick out. Hope this helps.
izbit
15 years ago
We did almost the opposite of that, but to a similar effect. We've got a galley kitchen, that gets wider at one end. So we put the fridge in the deep section, and then used 18" deep (rather than 24" deep) base cabinets next to it, with the fronts flush. It gives us more walking space through the narrow part, and the look of a cabinet depth fridge but the space of a standard one.
mamadadapaige
15 years ago
I have read many suggestions about recessing a standard depth fridge into the wall and considered this in my own situation however the cost of the labor involved in busting through a wall should be factored into the decision.... it isn't free to pull off such a maneuver (unless it is DIY). Just wanted to play devil's advocate on that.
inkycrab
15 years ago
Very good point mamadadapaige. I originally bought a standard and realized that I wanted a CD thanks to this forum. We "returned" the standard (it wasn't delivered yet) and got the same exact fridge (KA french door) in a CD and I love it. You do lose space but it fits so beautifully with the cabinetry that it makes me smile everyday. Totally worth the extra money to me since this would've driven me nuts. My dh didn't want to hear my complain for years!
klaa2
15 years ago
Laurie, your refrigerator would look fine if the cabinet above it was built out and the side panels were the width of the unit. Simple, no need to sacrifice with a counter depth refrigerator.
minac
15 years ago
We opted against the CD because we didn't want to lose the space or like your DH pay more money to have less space. We actually have our old fridge in the basement and need it for the overflow freezer and drink items. Our setup of fridge, counter, and pantry is kind of like Laurie's so on one side the fridge panel is deeper so the panel sticks out a few inches beyond the counter but it is the same color as the cabinet. I think the cabinet above the fridge are deeper than standard and the pantry depth matches up with the standard size fridge. We basically built the cabinets to accomodate the depth of the standard size fridge.
Babka NorCal 9b
15 years ago
Our old fridge was 30" wide. The new CD depth one is 36". They both have the same capacity, but I really do like the new one. I don't have to push stuff around to get at the things in the back of the fridge. It is taller than the older one too. We have a small kitchen and I cannot believe the difference just a few inches in front, where it protruded, make in the overall feel of the kitchen. I guess it depends on how much room you have to play with.
kailleanm
15 years ago
I like my CD fridge too. It may be smaller, but the space is used far more efficiently, IMO. Plus it just looks so much nicer to have everything flush. (We have the JennAir FD SS fridge).

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Easy Reference: Standard Heights for 10 Household Details

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

How high are typical counters, tables, shelves, lights and more? Find out at a glance here

KITCHEN DESIGN Stay Cool About Picking the Right Refrigerator

By KitchenLab Interiors

If all the options for refrigeration leave you hot under the collar, this guide to choosing a fridge and freezer will help you chill out

KITCHEN DESIGN See-Through Refrigerators Dare to Go Bare

By Lisa Frederick

Glass-front fridge doors put your food and drinks on display, for better or worse. See the benefits and disadvantages

KITCHEN STORAGE Storage Space Gem: Above the Refrigerator

Underutilized space above the refrigerator has valuable kitchen storage potential. These ideas for cabinets and more help you maximize it

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS Key Measurements for a Wine Cellar, Part 1

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Find out the best ways to store your stash and how much space you need for wine refrigerators, racks and other storage

KITCHEN CABINETS 9 Ways to Configure Your Cabinets for Comfort

By Jennifer Ott Design

Make your kitchen cabinets a joy to use with these ideas for depth, height and door style — or no door at all

KITCHEN STORAGE 8 Cabinet Door and Drawer Types for an Exceptional Kitchen

By The Inman Company

Pick a pocket or flip for hydraulic. These alternatives to standard swing-out cabinet doors offer more personalized functionality

FUN HOUZZ Houzz Call: What’s on Your Refrigerator?

By Becky Harris

Magnets, menus, children’s art, coupons, perfect-attendance certificates, song lyrics — what is fridge-worthy in your house?

BATHROOM DESIGN Spotted: Refrigerators in the Bathroom

By Becky Harris

You read that right. Before you protest, here are seven good reasons why people are chilling in the bath

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS The Right Dimensions for Your Porch

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space

Sponsored

More Discussions

Quartzite Veins Turned Pink/Red

35

kitchen renovation

7

Kitchen Remodel Finally Finished

10

quartzite countertop suggestions

6

Omega cabinet shaker door outside edge profiles

0