post a picture so we can how much black is visible

Is the fridge a counter depth? We need pictures too.

Build them in with side panels.

Getting new counters and upper cabinets

Take this opportunity to build in the fridge- it will look much better and the cabinet above will actually be functional.

Regarding the micro hood- yup that’s weird. I think the black will disappear into the overall kitchen when you are done but it is odd that the micro had black sides.

Anyone have thoughts on spray paint?

Good idea on the frig I’ll talk to cabinet people when they come to measure. I am also going to call Judd and Black and have them talk to the GE Cafe line rep and see what he suggests

I don't know whether these fit your refrigerator:

• Refrigeration Panel Accessory CKLBLSCNW2
• Refrigeration Panel Accessory CKLBRSCNW2

All sides of upper end appliances are a different color than the beauty color on the face. The sides are not meant to be seen. They are meant to be built in.

But the microwave though? You can’t have the cabinets as deep as the microwave because then the vents at the top would be covered... seems like a design flaw.

These appliances are not meant to be "built in" and there is no "design flaw". The appliances' black sides are clearly shown on the Cafe website and it is the responsibility of the buyer to research before buying.

The standard MW is meant to be used with the trim kit, to build it in. Just as the fridge is meant to be used with cabinet side panels, as shown above. And the range with cabinets on both side. They are not designed to have visible sides, if they are installed as meant.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/ge-29-8-trim-kit-matte-white/6316370.p?skuId=6316370

The OTR follows the same principle of only having the pretty part right in the front. But, it’s an oddball, as renovations that would use the Cafe level choose a real hood, and not an OTR. They aren’t very useful for venting. So it’s pretty odd that is even made to begin with. Much less that someone would choose it.

@rnonwheels: "I don't think the website for Cafe did well to inform the buyer at all that these side were black. Some of them look stainless some photos are "cropped" or blurred so as to make it less obvious."

No. The fact that the sides are black is clear from the photos on the Cafe website. There is no cropping or blurring.

• Microwave photo
• Refrigerator photo

Thank you. I agree. Wasn't looking for it to be different and it didn't stand out. I've always had stainless before so it wasn't an issue.

You can try to decorate your kitchen like this https://subzerorepairpros.com In tones of silver. It goes well with different shades of colors.

Did you not go to look at the appliances before buying?

Do your refrigerator doors open fully? I see a wall to the right?

If you always had stainless, then you’re used to black sides on appliances.

I am not a kitchen designer and my stainless appliances were built in before I bought my house so didn’t see the sides. I appreciate all of you that gave me helpful advice

GE Cafe makes side panels. They are pricey though. https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-French-Door-Refrigerator-Panel-Matte-White/1002660802?cm_mmc=shp--c--prd--app--google--pla--118--sosrefrigeration--1002660802--0&placeholder=null&&ds_a_cid=117417880&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyoeCBhCTARIsAOfpKxiixNAIaUZl0qPeJrYmNctMWxy0hC2xbV8xyWcpLGuiJmCx69Ms4YaAiCVEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

When copying a URL, just copy the text before the "?".

"I am not a kitchen designer and my stainless appliances were built in before I bought my house so didn’t see the sides."

Good point, Darlene.

Just wanted to say not all stainless appliances have black sides. Our stainless fridge is built in to the cabinets, but the sides are gray that blend with the stainless finish.

Any idea where you can but the sidelanels in canada. GE customer service is useless

I did have a custom kitchen design and discussed the issue of the black sides when I purchased the refridgerator. My contractor did build it in but it still could not be built in enough to not show some edge ( about 5 inches) without making the upper cabinets look off. I do feel this is a poor design choice by GE. This is not an inexpensive appliance and spending another 350.00 per side to cover it is excessive.

Here is my installed counter depth appliance with custom cabinets.

I am going to try to use a white magnetic roll cut to size and see how it works out before I order any side panels. Hopefully it will work out.

Denise just curious if you tried the white magnet roll and how it worked out. I'm dying to know.

Has anyone found any solutions? I bought the cafe matte white drawer microwave not realizing that we were getting a 30 inch microwave cabinent and they don’t make a trim kit and now i cant return it.

@Tess: "I bought the cafe matte white drawer microwave not realizing that we were getting a 30 inch microwave cabinent"

Attach a 3" wide filler panel on either side of the cutout to reduce its width from 30" to 24". Shove the oven into the now-24" cutout.