I am doing the same. I've been trying to pay attention on when I open the fridge and then immediately the freezer, and the only time I do that is when I am grabbing prep stuff from fridge and then I keep giant Costco sized container of garlic cloves frozen in olive oil in the freezer... otherwise - I am not in both at "once" - like when putting groceries away, etc. Love the symmetry.

To be fair - I do not use ice in my drinks - I would think that would be the only think that might make you want to reconsider splitting them.

We once rented a house where the owner had started their reno by buying a frig-only SubZero, with the intent of later getting a freezer-only one. She kept her old refrig in the basement but took it with her when she moved. We put ours down there and within a month or two, I have my husband and son move the SubZero to the basement and bring my combination refrig upstairs. A total nuisance having to run down the basement to get ice cubes for the water for dinner!

I don't think anyone is advocating not having a freezer and making anyone run to the basement. That would have driven me nuts too!

Oh yes, the ice! I will still need a small freezer for kitchen. We have a full upright freezer in the garage but it's mostly empty. It's nice to have ice and water in one spot but my understanding is the refrigerator columns don't have water at the door. So that seems to be a non issue.

I do like having a French door fridge with freezer on bottom. It puts all fridge contents at eye level. I might just stick with the same style vs separate columns.

I like the idea. We really only use our fridge for ice, nuts and frozen fruit for smoothies. As long as you have something small - I think it would work out really well. Johnsboro - that's a dream kitchen!

Jpmom- thank you so much!

So this goes to function and dividing things.

First, I think it sounds like a nice idea as long as its symmetrical. Asymmetry makes me crazy.

I moved my fridge with top freezer to the other side of the (pocket) door into the mudroom. It's next to my full-sized freezer. So much counter space now!

Within 2 months, it crapped out on me.
I picked up a Frigidaire dorm type fridge and stuck it under the counter.

Within a MONTH, the fridge started working again, but the full-sized freezer crapped out.
Luckily, I was due a binge-cook 'n freeze, so I was low on frozen life. I crammed everything left back into the fridge freezer.

Now I'm considering trying to make the bottom part of the fridge the freezer ( can they be set that low? ) and the top the fridge ( can that be set that high? )

Since I can't fit much other than beer cans (dorm fridge, remember?) I'm thinking I might try to set the whole thing down to freezing for ice cubes and small frozen soup, 'getti, or other single-serve frozen stuff I live on.

Anyway, I'd dump the full-sized freezer, although it's only 5 years old. If I knew then what I know now, I'd have purchased tall and thin, vs. short and wide. Takes up SOOO too much space!

So I guess yes, I'd split them.

I must ask, though, in a U kitchen, if space is that tight, why are you blocking it with an island?

A slightly different column question but a lot of times if the columns are side by side I see them hinged to both open from the middle like a side by side. However, I am planning them at the end of a run of counter. I think it makes more sense to hinge the same way so when each is open I have counter handy to place things on. So left end of the back wall with hinges of both on left so right side opens. Does that make sense? I am surprised how many open like a traditional side by side while work flow wise to me it makes more sense to be hinged he same way. I really would like the look of them book ending that wall one on each side but it is the ice and water issue that keeps making want him together. Although I was thinking of one set of fridge/freezer drawers under the opposite counter near the glasses for beverage. If I do that maybe I'd separate me for the look.

kfpwvt I totally agree with you. I prefer the look of both hinged on the same side and this is what I wanted for my new kitchen. I wanted a kitchen where the fridge/freezer just looked like pantry doors and when you have them in the "traditional side by side" configuration, that is lost. I was also going to split them but my layout didn't allow for it, and the Miele freezer that I wanted only hinged on the left. Ugh. Not the look I wanted, but love the product!