For me the freezer isn't used anywhere near as often as the frig. So I want the eye level and down stuff to be frig. Recess your standard depth top freezer unit into the back wall.

Me too. Which is why I like the top freezer fridges but there are such few options out there.

My mother told me a bottom freezer fridge was much easier on her bad back. Most people, I would think, open the fridge much more than the freezer and you don’t have to bend down as much. I didn’t really think it was that big of a deal until I bought a French door with freezer on the bottom. I love it! Not stooping, no bending, no searching..nearly everything is in my line of sight.

I hate top freezer refrigerators. Ask yourself whether you want to bend over every time you want to access the refrigerator portion of the appliance. Then compare that to the number of times you need to access the freezer. If you're like me, and you access the freezer much less frequently than the actual refrigerator, you'll understand why it's an awkward design.

I see your point but I put snacks/fruit on the bottom shelf so my kids can reach. It’s hard for them to reach with the bottom freezer.

Very funny!!! I’m starting to look at side by sides but they just look so skinny like I can barely put anything in. Oh well, I’ll have to make something work.

Maytag MRT311FFFZ 33 Inch Freestanding Top Freezer Refrigerator is pretty good sized but not counter depth.

If your space is wide enough you could get a Side by Side refrigerator.

Edit: Doh! I just saw you mentioned that. Sure, get one. A lot of people like Side by Side refrigerators. It won't hurt your resale value. Some are nice looking and counter depth.

Is there a freestanding side by side larger than 36 inch? And also counter depth?

our french door one has an extra drawer for snacks that would be kid accessible - I think a lot of them have this option https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/external-dispenser-french-door-with-flexzone-drawer-rf28jbedb

I think most of them are 36. But the two sides are not as skinny as they feel. I think the common concern is whether a pizza box will fit. Pretty much all of them will fit one on the refrigerator side. And a few models will fit a frozen pizza on the freezer side.

Do you really store much stuff that's any wider than a pizza box?

I don’t really. They just look so skinny, but maybe because I’ve never used one before and always has wide fridge shelves.

There's another option if your main concern is snacks for your kids. Leave a 24" cutout open somewhere in the kitchen, pantry or dining room. You could put in a small under-counter 24" fridge for snacks and beverages. The future owners ( or you when the kids move out) could replace it with a 24" wine fridge if preferred.

Then you can use your regular fridge area for whatever fridge the adults in your house like. And it might be a bonus in terms of traffic flow to have separate areas.

Wow!! That’s a fabulous idea. Never thought of it! Thanks!

It's a nice feature I think.

"Is there a freestanding side by side larger than 36 inch? And also counter depth?"

Side-by-sides at appliancesconnection.com

• Cheapest 36": $943
• Cheapest 36" counter-depth: $1974
• Cheapest 42": $7130 (not a goof)

Apples, bananas, peanut butter, nuts, raisins, protein power bars, trail mixes, don't even need cooling. Put the string cheese on a shelf they can reach, with a bag of cut up carrots, celery etc.. Get a decent fridge. Counter depth, freeze on the bottom, and enjoy.

Best is eat three nutritious balanced meals and the most "snacking" you'll need is a couple hours before dinner. Walk a mall any day of the week and there will be plenty of evidence of "snacking effect"....and the eat all day long concept

Agree, having used all styles, also prefer top freezer style. Side by side is second choice. Strongly dislike freezer on bottom.

Good heavens, I can’t believe people are now advising you on snacks and healthy living! Sheesh! Back to fridges....we switched from top freezer to bottom freezer and love it. Decided against French doors on basis of cost. You’re right about kid access but when you can pick up a little dorm fridge for $30 perhaps there is an alternative plan until the times gain height.

re: the kids issue.....a small dorm fridge[you can find them inexpensively on craigs list..or new from a big box store or on line shipped to you]...can have a benefit in avoiding the constant or frequent open/close of your new expensive French door model. FRIDGES are not lasting as long and the components cycling on/off which is a reflection of loss of temp from frequent open/close is a determinant of the longevity. We have a small under counter one in a wet bar and adult things like yogurt/ bar cheese/ etc go there. I never calculated the reduction in open/close of the kitchen fridge but I know it's a factor. It runs quiet/cycles infrequently /no service calls and 11 yrs old. Wouldn't the kids think highly of themselves w a small fridge that is "theirs" ….seems a win-win.

some nice things about adding a cutout for a snack /beverage fridge:

-The adults could use it too, for water, beer and fruit.

-It would clear the beverages out of your regular fridge which would give you more room if your fridge gets overcrowded.

-It would keep the kids out of the work triangle while the adults cook.

-It might add a little bit to the value of the home at resale. A lot of kitchen renovations have this feature.

-It could be replaced with a wine fridge in future. The standard dimensions ( 24" wide) are the same.

-I just think it's nice to have a few things in a house that are for the kids.

* But if you don't want to add a beverage area as a permanent feature then as other have mentioned a freestanding dorm fridge would serve the same purpose and be less expensive.

I have a lot of customers who look into ref drawers ... you can do snacks or beverages or produce... and easy to see into!

The kids are little right now... unfortunately they grow so fast! So choose something that is transitional as your family grows...

Good luck!

We have a dorm size refrigerator built into our peninsula. Would be great for kids snacks....We have a side by side refrigerator....because I was not fond of the freezer on the bottom. This refrigerator is okay but for a large family I would rethink getting a side by side one.

I have a top freezer refrigerator in my basement. It's cheap and that was my number criteria for a 2nd refrigerator. I would NOT want it in my kitchen.

I prefer a counter-depth side-by-side refrigerator with no water/ice in the door. Unfortunately, KA, no longer makes the model I presently have. I hope mine outlives me!

I have a French door fridge in my kitchen. And the old one was a side x side. I also have a top freezer fridge as a 2nd one in my laundry room and another one at the cabin. I do not like stopping and bending so low for the veggies and everything. I much prefer the french door one.

French doors are far superior. They put the most accessed items at the easiest height to access. People use a refrigerator 80% and the freezer only 20%. Some use the freezer even less than that.