I'm thinking of doing this in our plan we are currently working on with architect. It is a galley style kitchen and the fridge will be between a 2 foot deep wall pantry and a 2 foot deep countertop. The other side of the fridge wall is in the master br closet. What do you think about recessing the fridge so it is even with the countertops, centering it on the mbr closet and building in shelving on either side of the recess in the closet? I mentioned to architect, but they didn't seem too keen on idea. Said I wouldn't get a good amount of shelf space. But just based on the fact that regular fridges are about 34-36 inches deep, that would leave me about a 12 inch deep shelf. I am going to show them the pictures on this thread. What do you guys think? countrysmile, I would love to see the other side of your recess!

Visually I much prefer the bar handle. I haven't ever hung my dish towel off of it because (like dseng) my 100lb German Shepherd would assume it's for her amusement while we're out of the house. It does stick out slightly so if I'm leaning into the cabinetry right there I am touching it, but I've never banged into it. If you have an immediate right angle of cabinetry adjacent to it (I do right now), you will have to check clearances of any drawers.

I just went through selecting a dishwasher. I ended up going with a Bosch with a recessed handled. I selected the recessed handle for two reasons. First, the dishwasher is where I do most of my cooking work like cutting vegetables, etc so I didn't want the handle in the way. Second the recessed handle forces you to apply force to open the dishwasher door more toward the center. Take a dishwasher with a handle and apply a torque to it and they doors seem pretty flimsy. With the recessed handle it forces you to pull in the best spot.

I just did the replacement. First remove the 3 screws from the existing handle and save them for the new one. Next, remove the front panel. Taking the front panel off is easy and just requires removing the 6 screws vertically down each side on the inside. If needed you can loosen the controls at the top of the unit view the additional screws at the top inside. I wouldn’t remove it completely if you can help it as it is wired in and the wires are taped to the front (I did but thought it unnecessary in the end). Note the pressure clips inside the handle are very very strong to the point that I had to break some of them on the old handle to be replaced just to get it out, which I did from the inside after taking off the front panel. I figured I’d rather break the old handle than bend/dent the sheet metal. After getting the old handle out put the panel back on and screw everything back tight (but not too tight). Now you can just install the new handle. Start at the top, angling it in and then use some quick force to get it clipped in on the bottom. Then replace the 3 screws gently. If you see the handle visibly bending you’re doing it too tight. Too tight will snap the plastic and you’ll be right back where you were. Good luck!