The distinct advantage to me would be a better look, not having the bulky refrigerator sticking out beyond the counter depth.

However, there is one distinct disadvantage and that is the considerable additional cost.

If there is enough clearance in front of the fridge then save some money and go with the regular option.

In your situation I would do counter depth because when a refrigerator is next to an entry way, the amount it sticks out is even more awkward and noticeable. We too have a slightly oddly shaped kitchen adjoining a family room, and our fridge is next to an angled entryway with a counter on the opposite side. The old standard sized fridge always looked terrible there, but the counter depth one we now have, with a wood frame around it, looks almost seamless with the cabinetry. So the benefit is aesthetic. The downside, as you note, is expense and slightly less storage space inside (though they are good at configuring counter depth fridges to use up every inch of interior space efficiently).

Thank you all for your thinking and comments. The range of comments thus far illustrate our dilemma: counter depth yields a better appearance with fewer available cubic feet, for more money. We cannot fully enclose the unit, as the side next to the kitchen entrance has no allowance - fridge wall serves as side to the entry path. There is plenty of space in front of the fridge, so we are leaning towards Dytecture's advice to go with the regular option.

If you have the space you can install a recess in the wall framing and pick up 3" in depth.
It will take some work but well worth the out come.
You will have to offset the outlet to the side.
Good luck!

Thanks, SAG - We'll check it out since your suggestion could allow me to keep the additional cubic feet of a regular size fridge.

If you recess a regular sized fridge, you might also gain enough space to build a narrow frame around it, making it look more finished. Most counter-depth fridges are a bit wider than full sized ones.

They also hold less since they are not as deep.

This question has come up before. From what I have been told, go regular, You pay more for counter top depth, and you can't put a large pizza box or large relish tray in them.

I agree with Patricia Colwell. We just did a kitchen renovation but had fairly new appliances ...our contractor saved us money by building out pantry on either side of frig. so it looks built in!

We just remodeled our kitchen and at first we were going to go with a counter depth frig to get the built in look but after looking at many models came to the conclusion that they just didn’t have enough room in them. We went to our cabinet man and he was able to design our cabinets around the frig giving it a built in look. We are very pleased.

I gained space with my new Kitchen Aid counter depth french door (22 cf) versus my old Samsung french door that was 4 cf larger. I did not want to get a new one but the husband and contractor convinced me and short of an actual built in, I am so happy a made the change. And, yes, they cost way more. The deli tray is huge, the freezer has three sections, two of which hold multiple pizza boxes and the door bins hold everythig I need them to hold. Easy to clean inside and out.

@Gina-That's what I did with my regular depth refrigerator-I built the surround about 29" deep.