No, I'm assuming that the panels will look the same. I'm only wondering about the finishing on the edges where the panels are layered onto an already thick French door. But this may just be a failure of my imagination for the solution you are proposing.

I have never seen a fridge done with panels that was not specifically designed to accept panels.
Look on-line for your specific fridge model to see if it can be done, but I would be extremely surprised.
Every kitchen that I design, I ask the client to decide if they want a built-in look for appiances like the dishwasher and fridge, as we need to specify that at the time of order. Maybe you could sell your fridge and get a new one, or trade it in towards one that can be built-in?

Sharon, I just built our kitchen cabinets and have been saving the fridge for last because it to is not a panel ready fridge. The edges are rounded and it's going to be a challenge to make it work so that it looks professional and stays in place. I have a couple of ideas in mind. My first idea is to notch the stiles and rails on the wood panel to accept aluminum angle iron. The angle iron has a "L" profile so that one side of the angle iron will fit into the notched edge along the stiles and rails of my wood panel. The other side of the angle iron will attach to the side of the fridge. Aluminum is light weight and can be polished by hand to give it a polished look, or you can paint it too.

My second idea is to rip down wood strips to wrap the edge of the refrigerator with (trim it out). Screws would be installed onto the fridge door exterior (not screwed in all the way) and the back of the wood panel will have keyhole's routed in to accept the screws on the fridge so as not to be visible.

This post is three months old so I'm guessing you have already problem solved the issue, but I thought I would put in my two cents just in case you didn't get the fridge completed.

I'll post photos of my finished project just in case someone else stumbles across this same blog in need of ideas.

Well thank you i too have been putting this off as the kitchen cabinets are just getting finished. I will pass this along to the carpenter to see if he think he can do this. Your timing is perfect.

Hi Sharon,
I wouldn't attempt this. Just sell one refrigerator on Craigslist and buy the correct type to apply panels to. It will cost less not more in the end, be less frustrating, and more durable. It goes without saying that you will void the warranty on your existing refrigerator doing this and encounter many other bumps along this rocky road.
Best,
Paul

Advise against having carpenter apply panels to fridge. As soon as he drills a hole in stainless, your warranty is kaput! Also, it is highly unlikely that it will look like a real built in door panel. Bite the bullet and find a new fridge that accepts panels - you will not regret it and in the long run it will be less expensive and look better.

you are probably right.

Wow what a difference they look wonderful. You are very talented

The Fridge should be originally designed by manufacture for the panel.
Any attempt to modify stainless steel door for panels most possible will result in damage to appliances. To follow the manufacture spec is essential for panel durability and appliance functionality.

Hi Yen,
I would like to know how you went about adding the panels. I have Ss fridge, and want to do something similar.

Yen, fascinating! I love it that you worked out how to get this done...and still have the hinges work. Excellent.

Thanks Iron Builders! Hialli1, send me your email address and I can give you the details.

Hlalli1@hotmail.com

I happened upon this discussion, and it might be too late, but I am surprised no one mentioned Frigo Design.
http://www.frigodesign.com/custom-kitchens/appliance-frames-and-panels.html

I need someone to make the door panels (wood) for my refrigerator. Can you recommend someone in Houston, TX?

Hey could you send me details as well ? Atowns@darbonnewoods.com Thank you!! Looks great

Please send them to me too.. this is super nice.. thanks brwnrootsister@yahoo.com thanks for sharing..

Yen your frige looks great!
Our Amana died yesterday and to our dismay, we have only one choice for a panel ready frige replacement. Jenn-air is the only manufacturer still making panel ready that aren't built in. (Actually GE makes a side by side but that's not what we want.) The Jenn-air has French doors which not only don't match our current panels but would be awkward for the work space.
So before we buy the frige we really don't want, I thought I'd investigate the idea of attaching panels to a regular frige door.
We had thought of saving the whole frige door and transferring it to new but were told it wasn't possible as specs change frequently. I'm sure that would negate any warrantee, too.

yen, please send me details as well. I have been looking for instructions on how to do what you did forever. jenny. Hendricks @gmail.com

hello, pls send me the details as well, lammypop@yahoo.com

Frigo makes hardware for refrigerator panels.

Yen, Great job! I've had panels on my fridge for the past 25 years (installed with a trim kit). Just had to buy a new refrigerator and am planning to use the same wood panels. I have a couple of ideas of what I am going to do, but I would be very much interested in how you did yours. Please send the details. Thanks very much, and once again, GREAT JOB!!! Ken -- kmsinc.nj@hotmail.com

That looks great. Can you send me the info as well - p_shah@hotmail.com

Hi, if someone has the details on how to apply the panels that Yen Zelburg developed, can you send them to me please? lblissdonnelly@gmail.com. Thanks!

Hello everyone. Sorry I have not responded to those of you asking questions, but I have not been on this site in a long time. To answer questions regarding the steps taken to build my refrigerator panels I'll explain... It's quite simple. Before you do anything you need to measure the width and height of your fridge (measure it more than twice so you know it's right). After you have your measurements you need to draft out the design of the panel. I allowed for an 1/8" space between the inside of the panel edge and the outside of the fridge door. So that would be an extra 1/4" added to the width and an 1/8" to the height of the design. Take into consideration any parts on the fridge that stick out beyond the fridge door like hinges etc. I made the stiles and rails as well as the raised panels the same way you would make them if you were going to build a cabinet door front. I ripped down 1/4" wood pieces on my table saw that go along the top and two side edges of the stile and rails (Note: The bottom can't have the edge on it because two metal pieces will screw into the bottom of the fridge door for support during installation as well as added strength after installation.) Your pretty much constructing a box without a back and bottom that fits onto the fridge door. The sides are not for structural integrity...it's merely meant to have a clean consistent look that flows from the panel front and wraps around the sides. Once you have made the panel and it's ready for installation you need to drill holes on the inside of the fridge door just above the door seal on all four sides. I used four screws per side (stainless steel screws). I cut metal clips and secured them into the bottom of the fridge door. After that you can slide the built panel onto the fridge door. Grab your screws, screw through the fridge holes you previously drilled, and screw them into the panel. Do the math so your screws don't come through the panel front. The screws will be screwed into the stiles and rails not the panel. Repeat on the other sides and your finished.

Hope this helps. If your an average DIY person I would suggest contacting a cabinet builder or one hell of a finish carpenter to make the panels. Good luck and happy holidays!

You're brilliant, Yen! I think you've inspired a lot of people to look at their refrigerator differently as they're getting out the turkey ;-)

Yen, THANKS for getting back to us. Happy Holidays!

interested in how you did the refrigerator panels. Please send info. Thanks rufnitii@gmail.com

You may also want to replace the refrigerator handles with wood. I've done it a few times by using Japaneses ax handles. nice look and holds up well. Bought them on ebay.

We are using the Frigidare all fridge and all freezer set and would like to put panels on them because that is just too much stainless steel altogether for my liking. Is this possible?

Vickithurgood, did you figure out if possible to do on the Frigidare? Also considering the same fridge but like the panel look.

Ted VanTilburg, I would love it if you sent to me the details too. Lyrics1967@AOL.com Thanks so much. And many thanks to your shop teachers! ;)

me too. please send to me at mom.metz@gmail.com. thank you

me, three. please send to kidelille@aol.com. thank you.

It looks amazing! Please send to me too! priscil@part1design.com

Can you email me the details too? Patignacio@gmail.com

Hey Ted,
I saw your post with the built in fridge look. Could you email me how to install the panels? salr686@gmail.com. Yours looks great!

Oh my Ted! Looks great! Please post directions...

Ted VanTilburg, please Email me at Lyrics1967@AOL.com. My name is Rebecca.

Old post. Scroll up and see where Ted posted instructions 2013/11/25.

The new look is impressive and very well done. We're replacing our old wood faced fridge. They don't make it with a panel kit anymore so we found a great deal on a dented model and plan to cover it with cabinet fronts. Our last one had a kit but this will be done similar to yours. I have a question for everyone who has done this. Have you encountered any negative problems with the hinges as a result of the extra weight on the doors or anything else?

I would information on how to install panels on fridge also. amanda_mallory61@yahoo.com

Wow, please send me details as well. hereisamylee@yahoo.com That is amazing!

Hello Ted I think you have a really really great idea. I would like to know what type of wood you used for the panels because I was just wondering if mine would be heavy and obstruct the door from opening and closing properly.

Awesome Ted! I’ve been trying to find examples of this forever!

Hello all. My contractor left and I have to find a way to add white shaker panels to my panel ready dishwasher, fridge and wine fridge. Does anyone have any ideas? they're simple white shaker, but the whites will need to match.

I can't seem to find anyone who sells them. Does that mean I have to hire a carpenter? I doubt I can find someone to do such a small job.

I'm a little handy so I may be able to do it myself.

You should have your question stand alone, this will get passed by because the original question is older. Our panels for our thermador fridge, freezer and dishwasher were made by the cabinet company. If you are handy and PRECISE, you could possibly build your own and have the paint matched at a paint store. Your paint finishes may still not match. It took the cabinet installers hours to mount our intergrated panels to blend with the rest of the cabinetry, so be realistic about your capabilities goodluck.

Lisaoneil The panels are custom made by the cabinet manufacturer that made your cabinets. Almost all cabinet brands make appliance panels in the door style and finish of their cabinets. So you need to go to a kitchen cabinet dealer for the brand of cabinets that you have. The panels are expensive by the way, and need to be ordered and installed by professionals. The cost of the panels before installation is about $2000 for an inexpensive cabinet brand and 50% more for the most expensive cabinet brands. Often the appliance store where you bought your appliances will install the panels for a fee if they are ordered from the cabinet dealer pre made correctly. Most carpenters aren’t going to want to get involved in an unfinished project with only the difficult panel installation left to do.

Can I please see a photo? Thank you! ❤️