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bturner12

Fridge depth opinion

last year

Hello!

We went with a standard depth fridge as we want a good size fridge. But it sticks out 9.5 inches past the counters. The flow is ok but it seems odd as sticks out so obviously. I only have a short window to return the fridge so wanted to get some opinions. I absolutely love the fridge itself just wish depth was like 5 inches less.

Should I return for a smaller counter depth fridge?

Comments (23)

  • last year

    Here is a wider view

  • last year

    Because it’s near the entry I would get a counter depth.

  • last year

    Counter depth - it looks like it might be the first thing one sees when walking in your front door. Either that or move the location of the frig somehow.

  • last year

    I agree like how seamless a counter depth fridge is, my husband wanted a standard size because of his Diet Coke and then we usually have guests in the summer so storing drinks too. Our previous fridge was too small. I personally love the function of this fridge and function is so important to me.

  • PRO
    last year

    Get a counter depth, and do an old 1989 top freezer fridge in the garage like everyone else.

  • PRO
    last year

    Keep in mind, certain ref marketed as counter depth actually will still stick out due to the air gap requirements needed behind the ref. Your designer should have ordered you deeper ref side panels so it would have a more built in appearance.


    Good luck

  • last year

    Get the cabinets redone to accommodate a full depth refrigerator. They generally make two standard depth cabinets and I don't know why nearly every builder seems to use the shallower one. I've found a counter depth fridge is too small even for just two of us and we always have to have a second refrigerator in the garage or somewhere else. If you're not willing/able to do that then I think you're stuck with a cabinet depth fridge as you aren't going to want that one sticking out like that.

  • last year

    That looks bad.


    Counter depth, for sure.


    It will still stick out some, and depending on model may have to in order for doors to open.



  • last year

    It could just be the picture, but it looks a bit tight in space. Just make sure there is enough room for doors to open fully if you change it.

  • last year

    You can have your cabinet company make tall end panels for the left and right after pulling the surrounding cabinets out from the wall another 6". Or have the cabinet company make deeper cabinets surrounding your fridge if they are a custom company. If semi-custom, they do make tall end panels. Then it'll look more built in. Even if you have to get a handyman to make end panels and paint them to match, I would do that.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Counter depth, for sure. So happy once we got one!

    ETA - It does help that we also have a fridge in the garage.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    The frigs with ice through refrigerator section door have a higher failure rate. And you lose frig space. Better to get nothing through the door. This 4 door counter-depth doesn't use handles. 28-3/4". One lower compartment can be configured for frig storage. Extra beverage space. Bespoke 23 cu. ft. Counter Depth 4-Door Flex™ Refrigerator with Beverage Center ™ Stainless Steel| Samsung US



  • last year
    last modified: last year

    I love my full depth fridge - it SWALLOWS large pans for storage. that being said - I'd try to find a way to recess the fridge into that back wall but that is probably way more work than is doable at this stage in the reno.

    If you don't want to do something that drastic - then either redo both cabinets so they are deeper and cover the side panels of the full depth fridge, or get the counter depth.

  • last year

    Your fridge surround should be the depth of the fridge (excluding doors), like mine:



    But mine is also at the end of the run, out of the way. In your case, I agree with the others, that counter depth would be more appropriate here.

  • PRO
    last year

    That looks bad. Bad bad bad. But fixable!!! You have ikea cabinets. Buy a new end panel and bring the pantry and over fridge cabinet out 6” so they look intentional. Or swap out the fridge. Even if I swapped out the fridge I would pad out those cabinets 1 1/2” so you don’t have that nub of counter sticking out since that might dent the door.

  • last year

    Either get a counter depth fridge or get a new cabinet surround and pull the above-fridge cabinets out so they're easier to access.



  • PRO
    last year
    last modified: last year

    Poor planning. You should have selected a more shallow fridge. If you need more storage consider a beverage fridge or a fridge in the garage.


    BTW.........I purchased a French door fridge 15 years ago & now the flipper that seats the two doors and both rubber seals on the doors have failed. It's $260 to just purchase the door seals and $150 for the 'flipper' part where the doors meets. That doesn't include labor to install.


    If I had to do it again I'd purchase a bottom freezer fridge with only one door at the top.

  • last year

    PSA for those suggesting a fridge in the garage - if you live in a cold climate with an unheated garage, your fridge is only going to work in the summer.


    As for beverages: I have plenty of pantry storage, so I only keep a few cans of pop and bottles of beer in the fridge - when I take one out, I replace it with one from the pantry (which is right next to the fridge). If e are expecting guests, I'll either load up the fridge, or fill a cooler with ice for cold drinks.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    After seeing your other wider view photo, I would get a deeper fridge cabinet and a deeper cabinet to the right of it. Or a cabinet depth fridge if you don’t want to fix the cabinet situation.

    And yes - if you’re in a cold climate you have to turn the garage fridge off before winter.

  • last year

    I like my counter depth fridge but we also have a second fridge in our mechanical room. Like others have said get counter depth or get the deeper cabinet panels.

  • last year

    When we had the kitchen renovated DH removed the studs and drywall and put a header at the top. He doubled up the drywall at the back for support. It recessed the fridge at least 3 inches.

  • PRO
    last year


    Fairfax · More Info

    Ikea kitchen I designed with standard depth fridge



    Jefferson · More Info

    And another

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