skip to main content

Should I consider this look for a built-in fridge?

15 years ago

I am very happy with our layout, posted here:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg1100134312329.html

except I feel we may be enclosing the kitchen too much. The cabinets will be stained and the family room to the left of the refrigerator is not large enough to compensate for the amount of wood so I am concerned about it looking too bulky.

If we had higher ceiling I would have definitely opted for an open cabinet above the fridge but with our 8 feet ceilings and 80" fridge that would be too narrow. We also can't eliminate the tall glass cabinets, they are covering a pipe from the 2nd floor bathroom behind the crown molding.

But just a couple of days ago someone posted a link to Hampshire cabinetry website where I came across this photo:

This looks like a solution to wanting an open space above a built-in fridge in a room with lower ceilings.

So I did some cut-and-paste with one of my photos and came up with this:

It definitely doesn't look as "perfect" as the original but seems to open up the place somewhat. I also like the display area for ceramics or holiday decorations. DH things it looks funny and defeats the purpose of the integrated refrigerator.

So what do you think?

Comments (10)

rhome410
15 years ago
I think one of the reasons (the main reason, maybe?) that the configuration in the photo works is the continuity with the style of cabinets to either side of it. Also, that's a very country-ish kitchen and that kind of unfitted modification suits it. I'm afraid your DH may be right that it would make the fridge stick out, rather than blend.
igloochic
15 years ago
I'll take a pic of my fridge cabinet today and post it later on. (I have to take my little guy to the doc first). I have 8' ceilings and a huge fridge, and added a thin cabinet above the fridge. While it's short, it's quite deep so I use it to store all of my decorative trays I use at parties. I left it open because an inset door would have been too small and I really like it. I think you should do the same if you're going to go with that look...it really finishes it off nicely, especially when it comes to the trim on the ceiling.
Related Discussions
Am Considering Silky Pole Saw - What Else Should I Consider?
Q
Comments (7)
The Silky pole saw is one of the nicest out there. I have never used or owned the Silky version. I have a fiberglass version that I use but I also have separate pruning and saw head for the poles. I don't think the Silky can take a pruning head IIRC. Since you don't use the pruning portion, that should not be an issue. It will not matter which blade you get IF the blades are interchangeable. I know they offer the blades in different lengths for the handsaws, I'm just not sure about the polesaws. I have a zubat hand saw that I really like. You'll want the blade to be as stiff as possible. It helps prevent the blade from bending when it binds in the cut. Great things about the Silky are that it is one of the lightest and stiffest poles out there. But anything that long is going to flex. The Silky blades are excellent. The extendable version is nice in that it quickly adjusts to the desired height. Bad things are that the aluminum poles are not as sturdy as some folks hoped. Drops and bangs to the units have caused bent poles that could not be satisfactorily straightened (think bent retractable radio antenna). Also, if the clips that lock the extension poles in place break, they are not repairable. They are not rated for utility work (around electricity). The above info is what I remember from doing research @3 years ago. Some of this may have changed in the meantime. There were alot of happy folks using these though. Problems were with durability and not being able to repair a pricey piece of equipment.
...See More
Full Depth Fridge built in look next to cabinets
Q
Comments (6)
What is your current aisle width to the island? This is important. If you are comfortable reducing that width everything else is doable. We have a full depth Samsung french door that is in a run of base and wall cabinets that are pulled forward to match the depth of the refrigerator. The added bonus for us is that while the cabinets are pulled forward the counter depth is an extra 6" deep along this run so we added appliance garages along the whole length under the upper cabinets. The stand mixer, the toaster, the food processor, the bread machine, etc. are all housed in there but we still have enough functional room in front of the appliance garages---about 18"---to use for a sandwich and breakfast making area. So much depends on your actual measurements and how you intend to use the space. Good luck.
...See More
Built In Look With Counter Depth Fridge installation
Q
Comments (2)
You can have your cabinet maker make all of your boxes on the same line as the cabinet extra deep, at least an inch and up to three (25 to 27 inches), in order to fit the full body depth. Or, you have to have your GC install your water line and plugs to be as recessed as possible behind the fridge opening. In fact, at the narrower 25" depth, you may still have to recess your plugs and water connections. I have a 24" depth and one of the few CD fridges that come with a 23 1/2" deep body, plus a special trim kit. And, I still had to route the water line up from the floor and recess the plugs in order to get it to all fit. All in all, it will still stick out, unless you get a built-in, integrated refrigerator. It will just stick out less. Many of the models do have a black or grey cover at the bottom that cover the bottom, some have a grill, and others, as you note, just have feet.
...See More
Regular fridge with a fridge drawer or larger built-in fridge?
Q
Comments (2)
We have a built-in 30" all-fridge (Thermador Freedom Column) and two 24" GE Monogram fridge drawers -- and they both are packed, all the time! (We also have a 30" all-freezer in the kitchen plus a chest freezer in the basement.) We did our kitchen ~four years ago, and our two children are now 7 & 5 -- my point being I only have two small children (not voracious teenagers). Granted, we are strict vegetarians, so we have lots (& lots) of fresh produce. But both my husband and I are of the mind: you can NEVER have enough fridge / freezer space! freezer on left, fridge on right: both have faux drawer fronts to help break up the plane stacked fridge drawers are just to left of sink [on right side of pic], with the fridge on the far left of the photo, just next to ovens
...See More
laxsupermom
15 years ago
I agree w/ your DH. The inspiration pic works because it is flanked by open storage - the glass front on either side plus the plate rail around the window makes the top foot of the entire space intentionally a display space.
annab6
Original Author
15 years ago
Well, thanks for your honest responses. Igloochic, i'd love to see your photo if you get a chance to post it.

If it wasn't for the drain pipe sticking out, i'd go without the tall cabinets to save floor space. Just can't think of any other way to cover it. Just in case, here are a couple of pictures of it:
ci_lantro
15 years ago
If it wasn't for the drain pipe sticking out, i'd go without the tall cabinets to save floor space. Just can't think of any other way to cover it.

Pull the refrig down to where the tall cabs would have started and go with the idea you posted in the photo at the top of the thread. You'd need to frame out a wing to cover the back of the refrig & the pipe on the backside & then the cab/ shelving would conceal the front side of the pipe...

Or, the more usual approach with a soffit but maybe an angled soffit to mimic the underside of a staircase? That way you could limit it to being only 36'' or so wide. Or continue it to die into the far wall.

We have a soffit in our family room that conceals plbg in the bathroom above. Ours is the usual rectangular thing & pretty large...9 1/2'' tall & extends out from the wall almost 18''. I'd rather it wasn't there but, for some reason, I don't mind it nearly so much as I minded the soffits that were in the kitchen.
igloochic
15 years ago
I had to do some fancy searching to find this thread LOL

Ok remember please that our kitchen is NOT finished. Included in the not finished group would be the fridge cabinet which will have a bead on the inside like the rest of the inset doors do when I hire a new contractor. The doors on the right will also have full cherry (the ones over the entry) verses the little holes they have now. And, because I know this space has to be emptied soon, I have't actually arranged the platters and bowls up there as they will be. The future arrangement will have one big white platter in the front with a couple of pretty farm house bowls on top and then all the other stuff stuffed back behind that (which you can't see because it's so deep).

What I like about this cabinet is it's storage ability, but also it kills the akward little space people end up with above a tall fridge. Having cabinets to continue the molding around makes it fit in really nicely, even in a small space like mine:

I was trying to get in all views but my chandelier blocks that last one a bit...I wanted to show how the molding flows....oh well, use your imagination :oP
loves2cook4six
15 years ago
We had a similar pipe. The plumber ended up moving it into the wall and ceiling. It was totally worth the expense. Have you looked into that option?
vicnsb
15 years ago
igloo,,, I have never seen these pics of yours posted before...
it looks great! Are your ceilings 8 ft? I am looking at your hood
and would like to know the dimensions and I am assuming it was
built custom, right?
Thanks so much

anna...putting that pipe up into the ceiling sounds like a good idea, did
you look into that?

vic
annab6
Original Author
15 years ago
igloochic, thanks a lot for the pictures, yours looks great! The only reason I am still not sure about it is we get a good amount of dust in our house (my theory is the dust is one of the consequences of the forced air heating system but I may be wrong on that one) and I can see how it can get old to dust inside this open cabinet on a regular basis. But do like the crown molding flowing around the fridge so you got me thinking here.

loves2cook and vic, the pipe is actually new for our new bathroom upstairs. The reason they had to run it this way was to achieve the necessary pitch in the drain. There wasn't enough room between the floors to have it hidden. So nope, can't move it.
madeyna
15 years ago
Igloochic, I love the creativity you have shown in your kitchen design. My last kitchen had its frig. inset like yours except it had two narrow doors. I think the insperation pic would work well in the posted design . Its hard to totally get around something as large as a fridge,so you might as well get creative with that upper space.

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Get the Look of a Built-in Fridge for Less

By Kathryn Peltier Design

So you want a flush refrigerator but aren’t flush with funds. We’ve got just the workaround for you

FURNITURE Space Savers: Consider the Beauty of Built-Ins

Rooms can work better and more efficiently with the help of built-in furniture pieces. Here’s where to begin

Kitchen & Dining Room Seating: Consider a Banquette

By Becky Harris

KITCHEN ISLANDS What to Consider With an Extra-Long Kitchen Island

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

More prep, seating and storage space? Check. But you’ll need to factor in traffic flow, seams and more when designing a long island

LIFE Have the Kids Left Home? 16 Things to Consider

By Mitchell Parker

‘An empty nest is not an empty heart’ and other wisdom for when the household changes

KITCHEN APPLIANCES What to Consider When Adding a Range Hood

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Get to know the types, styles and why you may want to skip a hood altogether

HOME OFFICES Consider the Home Office Bar

By Jonathan Baker

Stir Up a Little Mad Men Style With a Mini Bar in Your Home Office

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Your Fridge, Inside and Out

By Bonnie McCarthy

Keep your refrigerator clean and fresh, while you gain storage space and lose those ‘UFOs’

BATHROOM DESIGN Upload of the Day: A Mini Fridge in the Master Bathroom? Yes, Please!

By Mitchell Parker

Talk about convenience. Better yet, get it yourself after being inspired by this Texas bath

BATHROOM DESIGN 12 Things to Consider for Your Bathroom Remodel

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Maybe a tub doesn’t float your boat, but having no threshold is a no-brainer. These points to ponder will help you plan

Sponsored

More Discussions

Studio McGee Inspo Pic- Cabinet Hardware

13

kitchen renovation

7

Kitchen Remodel Finally Finished

10

wellborn kitchen cabinets

1

blue grey kitchen island help!

0