Counter depth or non-counter depth refridgerators

5 years ago

Hi,

I'd love some advice. We are building a home and have 24" deep x 42" tall cabinets going above our refrigerator as well as throughout the rest of the kitchen. We were told that the counter depth refrigerators are a better fit for that space and will only stick out by a few inches from the counter. However, we do not like that they are smaller and actually more expensive. Is it really a big deal to have a non-counter depth refrigerator that sticks out potentially 9" from your counter? Ours will be in the corner (see photo); so one side of the refrigerator will be against the wall and the other side will have a framed in cabinetry wall. I need to measure the wall that it will be up against to compare that to the depth of a non-counter depth refrigerator. I've attached a picture from a model home that is like ours, except their cabinets are not as tall.

Thanks in advance!

Melissa

Featured Answer

sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)

5 years ago

Using the search field above, lots of recent discussions...

counter depth vs other

And this one going on now in 'kitchens'...question for those with counter depth

Many options /opinions. Reading through you will get instant advice rather than wait for just a few responding over a few days...

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Comments (9)

Melissa
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the advice!
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plllog
5 years ago
This is a freestanding fridge, so it does not affect the value of your house (or can be swapped out for the pictures if you have to sell). That care taken care of, measure carefully. Remember that many full depth fridges still need air circulation in the back, so make sure you're looking at the full footprint numbers, rather than the box depth. Draw it out on the floor with masking tape. If you're not in the space yet, do it where you are, and make tape versions of the nearby cabinets and island too. Fill with boxes. See if walking around the stick-outy fridge bugs you. See if you bump into it a lot.

Because that wall is there, no matter what depth fridge you have, it's going to have to stick out so a left-of-picture hinged door can open completely or have a single door opening between you and the working part of the kitchen. This can actually be useful, because you can dump things on the island, but snack raiders and condiment snarfers can be more or less outside of the kitchen while they root around in the fridge.

Play around with the possibilities and the tape and boxes, and you'll soon figure out which you want. There are pluses and minuses of each, but it's how you and your family with use it and what will please or annoy you that matters. That's different for everybody.
stevep2005
5 years ago
"we do not like that they are smaller and actually more expensive". It sounds like you have your decision. There is no way around the SMALLER, or the more expensive. For any 'open box' discount you can find on a CD, you can find a better discount on on a regular depth so that's a wash. And there's no adding space after the fact unless you are willing to drop a second fridge or freezer in the basement. For me, we valued the extra 3" of walking space the CD gave us between the island, and the aesthetics over the lost interior capacity. But many kitchen purchase decisions are about tradeoffs, and you may have already decided a CD is not worth it.
Fori
5 years ago
It doesn't look like the one in the model house is counter depth either...so it'll look like that. Make sure you like the look of the sides because they will show. (Some fridges don't have matching sides.)
plllog
5 years ago
Fori, I'm not sure that it's a full depth, rather than a CD pulled forward so the door next to the wall will open. Which sounds like they didn't take it into consideration when they designed the kitchens.
Fori
5 years ago
Could be. I'm not sure that's better. :P
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
5 years ago
Good call. I brightened my screen and it looks pulled forward. With all the internals for the ice/water in door, i bet pushed back you can't access the shelves inside in that area. (don't care for side-by-side anyway)

Yes, as Pllog pointed out, measure and measure again. Even the door swing as the space needed once open could potentially hit the counter...so i would look at a french door, bottom freezer.

With that kitchen configuration i prefer single door left hinge, bottom freezer as door opens for access straight to the counter. BUT, that could be trouble if too wide.

Do look in person and see what you like and note if the doors need to open wide to access drawers.

My CDepth opens on a wall but does not need the clearance of a regular depth.
kismetique
5 years ago
If your cabinets are not set in stone - I opted to go 30" deep cabinets on either side of my fridge and I pulled the cabinet above the fridge out to sit even, so it's very accessible. We ordered Conestoga cabinets and they have certain cabinets available 30" deep. I love the look, my fridge sticks out just enough for the doors to open and I have an extra microwave tucked away above the fridge with a lift up door and it works perfect!