If the side is magnetic, you can use magnets to put up photos, art, etc... :) Rhoda

I worked so hard to make the rest of the kitchen beautiful - this really detracts from the look and I'd need too many pictures to cover the side :)

You can get ss paint. You can also get ss film.

I know you say there is not room to case it in wood, but it wouldn't hurt to have your cabinet maker take a look. They might be able to provide a solution that will match your cabinets. Worth a try.

My first choice would be to confirm that you can't do an end panel.
Not sure if this suits the style of your kitchen but you could paint it black with chalkboard paint and potentially make it fun, functional and look intentional
http://houzz.com/photos/88376

Oh my. Right after I posted my comment above, I went to our kitchen to inspect our new SS Samsung fridge. I had never noticed the sides because they are framed to set into our cabinetry, but sure enough.....there is about one inch showing on each side and it is not SS! I can see why you are upset!!

Robin - where can you get SS film? Ginale - it's wedged in

Ginale - if it was a deeper grey I wouldn't mind but it's a blue grey - I love the fridge but it just doesn't work in the kitchen.

sam0705 - Samsung doesn't make a wrap or panel for this :(

I don't mean to be captain obvious but can you exchange it? I had an aesthetic issue with my new fridge and just got a new one at lowes and they took the first one back when they delivered the new one and refunded.

I'm told they all have grey sides now vs. full SS or even black. I am going back to see if there is something more palatable.

This may be totally off base, but when you said it's a blue gray, it makes me think of that plastic film that is on all new stainless steel appliances. I know I had it on my toaster oven when I first got it. It's really just a plastic film that is there to protect, and you peel it off. Mine was *really* hard to notice, because the edges of the film not easy to see. You may want to double check to see if that's what you have. I hope I'm right and it will be an easy fix.

You can get ss films online. Google it.

@orangecamera -- it looks like this. Mine is Samsung as well. It doesn't bother me, but that's me. This is just the way they're made these days.

Kimdee24 it looks better in yours than mine - perhaps overall color scheme makes a difference.

The SS "film" is like a rigid Contact paper--a thin sheet of SS with adhesive on the back. I've seen it on HGTV, I'm pretty sure you can get it at big box stores like HD or Lowe's. Why don't you ask at the kitchen dept where you bought your fridge?

You're right. It doesn't look great. I think I would call my cabinet guy and see if there is some solution. But even if he could fabricate a matching wood piece that would work, you'll still see a sliver of grey that sticks out past the countertop. And I think I would also, in your situation, return the fridge and replace it with a counter depth -- though it looks like it also sticks out past your door frame, so the door swing arc on the fridge might be a problem with that....

Definitely a dilemma. For which I don't have a good solution. :(

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/update-a-vanity-with-stainless-steel-film/index.html

http://www.fauxsteel.com/

What about having a metalworker make a stainless steel panel. I know this is the most expensive solution - but at least you have a say in matching it, and if you are sticking it on they can make it super thin.

I've been very amazed at how well the Rustoleum metallic paints work, beautiful and durable. Since you have the side that you can "test" on, I would try the films or paint.

Before stainless was ubiquitous we used to have full wrap panels made for refrigerators...it got expensive...but it was the only option at the time!

I agree with kimdee - if you can return it for a counter depth that will make a big difference.

Not to be a damper here but getting SS that matches the hue and finish might be a challenge. Just sayin'.

I would take it back and exchange it for a counter depth. It sticks out too far.

Not all SS refrigerators have non-SS sides. But the ones with SS sides tend to be in the more expensive lines. The GE Monogram line of refrigerators, for example, have SS wrapped around the sides. I agree with those suggesting you return it, if that is still possible, and upgrade to one that will look better in your particular kitchen figuration.

Has anyone ever used the faux steel film or paint? Even in a smaller size I'd still have the same sides. I've been looking to see if anyone makes a black side - at least it would coordinate with range & microwave but no one lists what the sides are made of.

If you're going to change the sides of the one you currently have, you'll be better off doing black, since as dianasplace says, it will be a challenge to match the stainless.

I don't understand why Samsung doesn't offer a choice of sides - grey, black, or even a matte silver. Remodeling this house has taught me a lot - none of it good!

Can anyone envision trying to case this in based on the pics?

I think I would still try for the counter depth so you don't have fridge sticking out past your counter). This was my aesthetic problem I referred to above - made a huge difference. Then it seems like you could have a piece of wood cut to go from top of counter up and maybe a strip above the fridge? I think a bit of the challenge is the depth of the over fridge cabinet.

Thanks!

ASVInteriors what would I tell a metalworker and any idea of cost?

Unfortunately I don't have a good solution for the OP. Paint (professionally) I've seen done very well. Enclosing the unit with a wood panel is an option but you would still see the surround beyond the cabinetry. Simply going with a cabinet depth unit will not solve your problem because you will still have an exposed side. In addition, you have plugged the unit in and used it. Unlikely you will get the store to take it back as a used piece just because you don't like the way it looks.

Stainless fridges used to all have black side panels. The majority of the middle of the road and higher end units now have what they call "monochromatic" grey sides. When they were all black, people hated the black. Now they are grey and people hate the grey.

GE Monogram freestanding units, Electrolux and GE Cafe units have wrap around stainless. Fisher Paykel units have a painted stainless finish on the sides. Aside from that every brand that I'm aware of have a grey or black finish (and most are grey). Even the freestanding Viking units. Though with those you can buy a stainless enclosure (works on KitchenAid and JennAir counter depth models as well).

It would be ideal if we could select the side finishes. Unfortunately, appliance manufacturers don't do "custom". And for those in the design world you know what "custom" costs. Unlikely consumers would want to pay for that choice.

I hope this helps!

Do any of my HOUZZ friends have photo-shop? I would love to see what black side and enclosed might look like - if anyone could do that I'd be forever in their debt. Thanks in advance to any takers.

Feeny - That's awesome - thank you so very much for thinking of me. I never did find a solution and have been telling myself "make lemonade from lemons" . Again - truly appreciate it!

I'm so glad my discovery wasn't too late to be of use!

They have stainless steel magnetic side covers for that ugly cosmetic issue. The company is called FRIDGE FRONTS their website is www.fridgefronts.com
You can check out their facebook at fridge fronts or instagram page at fridgefronts.

Old post

just ordered GE café and no wraparound stainless, ugly black. Also, my cabinet depth still sticks out.

@bellycat do you still kept the gray or decided to go with Frigo to cover the gray? I too have a SS refrigerator and weighing my options on making lemonade out of a lemon or try covering it with a matching SS lining from Frigo.

I am trying to find a fridge that is sold with SS side panel options vs having to buy them from another company. I am not going to fabricate the fridge with paint or film. I saw the Fridge Front Link and wondered if anyone has used them if I need to go with that option?

I found this link as well and wanted to pass along https://www.frigodesign.com/product/refrigerator-side-panels/

A counter-depth refrigerator will still stick out, because if it didn't you wouldn't be able to open the doors. It just doesn't stick out as much as a regular one.

We are going with one that is full size vs the more shallow option (counter depth?) and we could build cabinetry around it to hide the nonSS areas, but the way our kitchen is laid out we would never be able to pull the fridge out to service it so we are stuck w sides that will show. Just hoping to find an option to put panels on the sides or find a fridge that comes with SS option! We have to order the fridge soon.

Laura, what did you wind up doing? We are thinking of trying a frigo panel on the side of our full-size refrigerator.

Have you tried a stainless steel magnet skin for the side of your fridge? They are fast and easy to use.

"Stainless steel" kitchen appliances are not stainless steel! I just bought a set of GE Profile appliances. Then I read the small print: "Painted". And _only_ use mild detergent and a soft cloth! So evidently they found a way to electroplate stainless dust onto a scratched non-stainless-steel base metal. W O W