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Kitchen Ideas: 12 Refrigerators in Disguise
Designs hide the fridge behind unexpected finishes and doors
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design... More »
Are you sick of your less-than-attractive refrigerator being the unfortunate focal point of your kitchen? Thanks to kitchen design vixens everywhere, the refrigerator has come a long way — sometimes as far as to be unrecognizable.
Designers have been pulling out all the clever stops to incorporate the icebox in a stylish fashion, and they’re doing it well. Refrigerators are big investments, so even if a new one isn’t currently in your budget, it’s fun to window shop. Check out the following photos and dream a big dream for your future fridge.
Designers have been pulling out all the clever stops to incorporate the icebox in a stylish fashion, and they’re doing it well. Refrigerators are big investments, so even if a new one isn’t currently in your budget, it’s fun to window shop. Check out the following photos and dream a big dream for your future fridge.
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| Those faux “cabinets” flanking the pass-through are refrigerators in disguise — not one, but two. Double the pleasure. |
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At first glance, this panel may look like nothing more than a chalkboard. But this chalkboard knows something you don’t: it leads to the refrigerator. The secret weapon behind the contemporary fridge: the unconventional door.
| Look at that tall, narrow cabinetry — er, refrigerator. Another trick for creating a unique fridge is changing the shape. We’re so used to seeing wide, boxy designs that this sleek version can’t help but trick the eye. |
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| Here’s another example of a fridge that is slightly taller and skinnier than the usual. By finishing it in the same wood grain as the island and the cabinets surrounding the oven, it blends into the scene instead of standing alone. |
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If you’re a fan of stainless steel, you can still incorporate your favorite finish without your fridge being the focal point. Simply surround your oven with your refrigerator (in this case, two!) and finish the entire area in stainless steel. The attention is diverted from the fridge to the stylish composition of the stainless steel.
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| If you have two ovens, they’re often placed one on top of another, but here’s a new idea: Install them horizontally, place the refrigerator between them, sneak a few cabinets into the mix and finish everything but the ovens in the same material. I bet you didn’t even realize that was the fridge snuck inbetween those ovens, did you? |
by Susan M. Davis
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Consider mirroring the refrigerator structure to that of accompanying cabinets, and finish them with the same material. The eye will notice the clean symmetry first, and the refrigerator second.
by Kenneth Fromme
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Who ever thought an armoire belonged in the kitchen? When it’s actually the refrigerator, it sure does. When your fridge is this beautifully designed, you’d be proud to call it the focal point.
Here’s another armoire-style refrigerator design, complete with intricate detailing at the top.
Odds are you might walk into this kitchen and waltz right on past the refrigerator. If you design the fridge to blend right into the cabinetry, it will require a second glance to realize what’s right in front of you.
| With its moldings and center decal, these refrigerator doors look more like architecture than appliance. |
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| What happens when you mix old-fashioned icebox concepts with contemporary design? This guy. With its beautiful finish and unexpected look, I’d probably think it was for storing china before I’d ever consider the milk. More: Can You Spot the Refrigerator in These Kitchens? Hutch-Style Kitchen Cabinets Next: Browse thousands of kitchen designs Find refrigerators in the Products section |
Ideabook published on Nov. 1, 2011.
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...At least separate them with a thick layer of insulation. Avoid heat transfer by convection, conduction, and radiation.
- A French Armoire is hiding two face to face Sub Z's and 4 extra fridge drawers in the island across from it.
- Two identical cabinets - one houses a fridge and the other a pantry - can you tell which one is which?
It's too bad that specialty retro fridges like Big Chill are so outrageously priced. Really no reason to be, it's just a sheet metal change.