How inconvenient to have fridge and freezer columns far apart?

13 years ago

I am struggling with our new kitchen layout. We are leaning toward the Thermador Freedom columns: 24" fridge and 18" or 24" freezer. The only place they can fit side by side is in a side wall that is also the only good spot for a reach-in pantry (no room for a walk-in).

Facing into the kitchen from the living/dining area, the right side wall is 11' 4", with a 6' wide bay window that starts about 2' in from the wall to the dining room. The right wall meets the back wall in an L shape. The back wall is 14' 8". The left side wall has a 5' 6" long area that recesses 3' 6" deep into the hallway on the other side. The fridge/freezer will fit into this recess, but I would rather use it for a 16-18" deep reach-in pantry with shelves, plus a closet from the hall side (we have no coat or broom closet now). We want to put a small island at the front end of the kitchen where it transitions into the dining area.

Because I have 24" to the right of the bay window (sink will be centered under the window), I could put either the fridge or freezer there, and put the other unit at the other end of the L next to the oven stack, or it could go on the short side wall and still leave us a little pantry space.

Will it be really inconvenient to have the fridge and freezer across the room from each other? On occasion, I will have to collect ingredients from both locations to make dinner (as well as from the dry goods area and spice drawer), so I will have to walk around a bit before I can start prepping, but I expect that will happen anyway. The biggest inconvenience will be if someone wants a glass of ice water and has to visit both fridge and freezer to accomplish that task (unless we spend the extra $400 for in-door ice and water in the freezer and live with the look and increased risk of repair). I have learned to drink water w/o ice since we moved and no longer have an ice maker, but our kids or guests may prefer iced beverages.

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bluemoongirl

13 years ago

I have the Thermador columns on opposite sides of my kitchen, and I love it! I wanted a tight working area, AND to highlight my stove and backsplash, and I couldn't fit the fridge and freezer together on that wall. The freezer, which we use far less often, is diagonally across the room. I just have my kids use the Brita in the fridge - the water's cold enough. Good luck!

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Comments (11)

kaysd
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks, Bluemoongirl. We use the Brita in the fridge now too. What size columns do you have and are they a good size for your family? I would love to see pictures of your kitchen if you have any posted.
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sabjimata
13 years ago
We have the Kenmore all fridge in the kitchen and a chest freezer in the laundry room. Since 2004. Three houses later, it has never been a problem. First house the freezer was furthest from the kitchen, last two it has been just a few steps. So if we can handle that, I think what you are planning won't be inconvenient at all. I am not big on ice but my children have decided they love it (5 & 7). They have so much energy, they don't care walking a few extra steps to get it.
cheri127
13 years ago
Our refrigerator and freezer are not together and it's never been a problem. The kids get ice and then fill glasses from the water filter at the sink.
kateskouros
13 years ago
why do you think it would be an inconvenience? they were designed specifically to give you the freedom (yeah, good name!) to put them wherever you'd like. for me, the only concern was having enough counter space to set things down for both loading and unloading. i have a fridge/freezer wall; 30" thermador columns (fridge & freezer) with approximately 5.5' of counter and storage in between. sorry, it's not finished yet!

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}
rmkitchen
13 years ago
Me too, I have the 30" columns separated by a walkway, and we like it that way. Well, that's the way it worked out space-wise for us and it's been fine (2.5 years). Having the fridge closer was important -- we have an interior ice maker in the freezer so if anyone wants ice we just open the door for it.
kaysd
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for the reassurances and pictures. Yes, I guess they are called Freedom columns for a reason. I am just so used to having one unit, that I had a moment of panic about them being too far apart. I love the way the columns look "book-ending" a single run of counter or other appliances like wall ovens or a wine tower. I was just nervous being placed diagonally at opposite ends of the room might be too far.
sabjimata
13 years ago
Rm and Kate...I so want to make love to your kitchens!
melaska
13 years ago
I'm with sabjimata!!! Oh, how I wish I had the space & $ for this!
megradek
13 years ago
I have 27" SZ columns that are set far apart and have never thought that it would have been better together. I suppose the length I have to walk from freezer to fridge to defrost isn't that big a deal since it is infrequent. I'm not a big ice in drink person, but my husband is and he's never complained. We do have our freezer near our butler's pantry so that cocktails can be easily prepared :)

and you asked about size, so thought I'd share. We are a family of five, eat mostly fresh/cooked from scratch kind of family that enjoys the trips to Costco for certain items! I love the size of our fridge and freezer. The drawers are amazing and I can't fathom all the stuff I used to have to throw out with our old standard depth fridge!!!
kateskouros
13 years ago
LOL! thanks sabjimata. i think...

How inconvenient to have fridge and freezer columns far apart?

bluemoongirl

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kaysd
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How inconvenient to have fridge and freezer columns far apart?

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kaysdOriginal Author

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