I agree that you should get a counter depth refrigerator because otherwise it is going to look like a hulking presence whatever the sides are. However even a counter depth refrigerator will not give you the same look as a fully integrated refrigerator because of clearance issues needed for the doors.

For my recent remodel, I had the lower cabinets increased in depth by an inch to minimize the amount of protrusion. I installed a counter depth refrigerator and the side panels ran up to the maximum amount so the doors could still operate properly. This still left a bit of black side protruding. I had my cabinet maker install wood strips on the side so an optical illusion is created so that the refrigerator blends into the cabinetry but still enables the doors to swing open completely.

She already has quite a bit protruding past the cabinets I don’t think that is the issue in fact there might be too much past the cabinets for the doors to work it will remain to be seen once the counter depth fridge is installed

Use that as an extra fridge in basement or garage and buy a counter depth fridge. You can't hide it, it will stick out like a refrigerator!

Who is doing your IKEA installation? Have them fix this! The right side panel should have been cut to completely hide the side of the fridge. You’re likely about an inch short? The pantry and top fridge cabinet should’ve been pulled out that same measure. I completely enclosed all of my fridges in IKEA installations. Here’s an example of my full depth fridge and a counter depth fridge I did for my daughter.

I would not get a stainless cover for the side. Instead, do as suggested above, and have a deeper box made for the fridge surround, as shown in bbtrix's photos (especially the first one, which is non-counter depth).

If that's not an option, live with it, or get a counter depth fridge. A standard depth fridge will indeed look large in your space.

The design required someone knowledgeable who would block out the upper cabinet and cut the side panels appropriately. It also required actually dealing with the soffit problem by removal or extension. And the recessed light placement that interferes with cabinet placement. Etc.

Wait until your kitchen is done and the fridge is installed. Your fridge cabinet already comes out further than the other base cabinets so you might be fine. The sample pic you supplied doesn't have fridge cabinets that are deeper than the other base cabinets so you're not really comparing correctly. If you have already done the measurements and are sure the fridge is going to stick out too much, have your installers pull the fridge cabinets out even more and put a filler piece at the back. It won't be ideal but will look better than a fridge sticking out. I would double check those measurements though. Cabinets are standard sizes for a large fridge that isn't counter depth so I think you may be okay.

I'm confused! The top picture is NOT your kitchen and that is showing a 24" deep panel - the second picture is your ACTUAL kitchen? That panel looks to measure 30" which is what you should have for a standard depth refrigerator - and the door should sit proud in order to open completely in order for your bins to be able to pull out freely...

You should be fine.

@Me AGirl, I hope you’re going to fix it. I’m sure you’ve put so much effort into your kitchen so far and you envisioned the side being enclosed. Since it’s IKEA, unmounting the cabs may be inconvenient but not too difficult and will make a big difference in the outcome. Yes, it’s extra work and the cost of a new 3x8 panel, but worth it. Both of my kitchen examples are also IKEA. My full depth fridge required the panel cut to 30.75” depth to cover the fridge side to the hinge including air flow requirements. What does your fridge require?

Whatever you do, be sure you can open the refrigerator doors all the way open. My DS and DIL had a refrigerator where the doors would not open so couldn't get the drawers out.

What is the depth of your ref - box only? and what was that deep panel cut to? That panel should easily cover the side of many ref even with the air gap needed in the back. Did your designer know what model of ref you were getting? They should of had a discussion with you about it.

If you extended your side panel 5” you should be fine. Why do you think it isn’t correct- I don’t see a fridge in the photo- have you measured your actual fridge?

Two things are wrong on this installation.

1. When you build in a fridge, you cannot use the 24" deep panel unless you select a counter depth fridge. IKEA offers either a 30" or 36" panel for this built in.
2. Some French Door fridges are deeper than others.

If you have combined these two issues, then you have an expensive problem to fix. It's not possible to have high cubic storage without adding dept to the fridge. Water through the door makes matters even worse. You could try this Fridgidaire on the far right below.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/frigidaire-21-7-cu-ft-french-door-refrigerator-stainless-steel/6131401.p?skuId=6131401

Here is my IKEA cabinets with a built in fridge............but see how much deeper the panel is to accommodate the side dimension of the fridge?

It looks like it should fit to me too. How deep is the actual fridge?

Op seems to be gone, hope it worked out.

Am back, busy before Xmas...

Thanks all. Brown dog is right.
In a few weeks will be ready to instal. I will update.
I guess I got worried, since I can’t see it in place yet.
Thought it might end up like picture #1.

@Beverly, your panel looks as deep as mine. Should be fine.
I believe the panel is 29”d.