What Type of Refrigerators Are Best for Your Kitchen?

As a self-proclaimed food enthusiast, the refrigerator is one of my most beloved appliances. It's pretty startling, but the truth is that many people don't appreciate their fridges enough. Considering that your refrigerator holds your food and is an essential fixture within your home, it should receive the respect it deserves.

Purchasing a new refrigerator will likely be necessary if you're upgrading your home. However, it's important to note that not all fridge types will work seamlessly with your kitchen's layout. To ensure you can make the most effective use of your time, we've outlined the full spectrum of refrigerator types, how they function, and what makes each type desirable in a home.

Which Refrigerator is Right for You?

• Refrigerators come in various configurations: top-freezer, bottom-freezer, French-door, side-by-side, column, and four-door.
• Many refrigerators today offer high-tech features such as see-through doors, camera views, innovative technology such as screen hubs and wifi-syncing, door-within-doors, and specialty drawers.
• Besides shopping by style, you can also look for a refrigerator by installation, which includes counter-depth, full-size, or custom built-in.
• Specialty refrigeration includes kegerators or beverage coolers, wine refrigerators, mini-refrigerators, and ice makers.
• When shopping for a fridge, it's essential to consider your refrigeration needs, your budget, and the space available in your kitchen, along with color, finish, and detailing.

Traditional Refrigerators

Traditional refrigerators are a large umbrella category of refrigerators that are typically categorized by how their doors open.

They are probably the type of fridges you grew up with—simple, low-tech, and capable of storing food.

The Perks And Pitfalls Of Traditional Fridges

This category of refrigerators are appliances that can be moved from apartment to apartment.

They are simple, easy to plug in, and also happen to be the most affordable on the market.

If you need a basic model, this is it.

Also, refrigerators come in many different styles, configurations, and models.

Suppose you're going with the most conventional type of refrigerator. In that case, you won't be able to take advantage of some advanced features offered with, say, smart refrigerators or see-through refrigerators.

The Different Types of Traditional Refrigerators

With this type of refrigerator, you must choose a style that ensures your fridge doors don't bump into other parts of your kitchen.

The most common sub-categories include top-freezer, bottom freezer, column, side-by-side, french-door, and four-door.

Top-Freezer Fridges

This is the classic refrigerator model that has been offered for decades.

You can get a refrigerator with two doors, one for the fridge and the top for the freezer, or just a one-door option with an inner door.

Because it's a classic, most manufacturers sell some form of this model.

However, it's not seen as the sexiest option, so some top brands like Fischer and Paykel don't even make a top freezer refrigerator.

One advantage it offers is that you can find plenty of retro-style refrigerators in this configuration.

Brands like Smeg, Kenmore, Chambers, and Galanz offer these trendy refrigerators in various fun colors, mainly in the top-freezer configuration.

Bottom-Freezer Fridges

This style of top-freezers polar opposite.

Besides side-by-side refrigerator style, bottom-freezer refrigerators are also emerging as a prevalent model.

Bottom -freezers are increasingly more popular than top-freezer styles, and some manufacturers don't even make a top-freezer model.

If you love retro-style refrigerators, choices are a bit more limited with bottom-freezer configurations, but you should still be able to find some options.

Side-by-Side Refrigerators

The side-by-side is one of the most common refrigerator styles.

These models have a freezer on one side of your model and a refrigerator on the other.

The freezer tends to be extra generous, making it great for frozen food enthusiasts.

Another convenience is that bending over to open doors is unnecessary.

Even though this style was introduced in the early 1950s, it didn't become trendy until the '70s and '80s, when water and ice dispensers were added as a feature.

Today's side-by-sides are a far cry from yesteryear's. Many now come with sleek, straight lines that radiate a vibe of luxury rather than convention.

However, a potential downside could be energy loss due to opening a massive door to the freezer side, making it easy for more cold air to escape.

French-Door Refrigerators

The French-door refrigerator features three doors. The top portion (refrigeration) has two entrances open from the center.

The freezer is in the form of a pull-out drawer. The freezer can feature just one compartment or multiple drawers.

Some french doors offer an extra drawer between the freezer and the top entries.

This refrigerator style was introduced in the 1990s and has become the most popular conventional type.

One of the benefits of this type of fridge is that it saves energy.

The two-door feature allows the user to open up a small portion when accessing the contents, meaning less cold air escapes.

This same feature also makes it friendlier for tight spaces since having two doors means less clearance space in your kitchen to open a door.

Lastly, the French-door refrigerator allows for maximum storage customization. It's the only refrigerator (besides the 4-door) where the shelves are split in half.

Column Refrigerators

These individual single-column freezer and fridge units are purchased separately and can be placed side-by-side, but other kitchen configurations are possible.

These refrigerators tend to be sleek and sexy with clean lines and professional appearance, which means they are more expensive.

They often have offerings for different door types, such as glass doors, which are not commonly offered for other types of refrigerators.

Column refrigerators and freezers are often offered as the highest-end or most luxurious option for kitchens.

As a result, they usually come in more finishes, hardware options, and customizable features than other refrigerators.

Quad or Four-Door Refrigerators

This is the latest offering in refrigerator configurations. It's a variation on the French-door model.

There are two different types of configurations available for a four-door.

The first configuration has the top (refrigeration) and bottom (freezer) portions as French doors.

The second has French doors on top but then has two drawers below instead of split doors. The middle drawer is usually a specialty drawer.

Think of all the benefits a French-door refrigerator adds and extend that to the freezer.

The freezer doors have storage space in addition to the split internal drawers.

Some brands also have the added feature of using lower freezer compartments for refrigeration.

Innovative Refrigerator Features

With all the focus on tech these days, it’s not surprising that refrigerators are starting to show a little bit of geek chic.

Lately, there have been several different ways companies have made their fridges brighter than before.

The Perks And Pitfalls Of Innovative Features

Innovative refrigerators, as a whole, are meant to help preserve food for extended periods while also delivering a new level of convenience to the kitchen.

If you’re looking for easy food storage or want a statement piece, this is a great pick.

For many people, the most significant drawbacks are the price...and the tech if it doesn’t work how you want it to.

Sometimes, it backfires or requires more maintenance than you want it to.

Other times, it just fails sooner than you expected.

It’s easy to see where things go wrong between that and the price tag.

The Different Types of Innovative Refrigerator Features

Companies have included tech in their fridge design methods in many ways. The most common forms are mentioned below.

Smart Refrigerators

Smart refrigerators are the wave of the future. If you want a refrigerator that offers more than simply cooling and interacts with your smartphone, this might be for you.

Samsung made a huge splash when they added mobile and Bluetooth capabilities to their refrigerators.

However, these refrigerators have evolved to include a touch screen on the door on some Samsung models and other nifty features like shopping lists, playing music, looking up recipes, and much more.

Currently, only three manufacturers make a line of smart refrigerators. These are Samsung, LG, and Cafe Appliances (GE).

LG's models offer see-through doors instead of camera views like the Samsung models.

LG and Cafe models offer syncing with Alexa and Google Assistant, but features are relatively limited compared to Samsung models.

You might, however, reconsider smart refrigerators because of the extra cost. They do come with hefty price tags.

Separate Specialty Drawers

Some models now offer a versatile drawer separate from the fridge and freezer. You have options with these drawers.

They can function as an extra crisper drawer, a drawer for meats, or as an extra freezer.

Think of these compartments as a neutral zone to be designated by you.

This might be a good option for people who sometimes buy groceries or products in bulk.

See-Through Doors

Nowadays, some manufacturers are putting windows in refrigerator doors or offering glass doors altogether.

One of the main goals is to allow the consumer to quickly assess what they do or don't have in the refrigerator.

However, this can go beyond windows and glass doors.

You can get an intelligent version with a camera inside your refrigerator, whose image you can access through an app.

LG InstaView Doors even allow people to knock on their fridge door to see the contents inside.

This gives the consumer the best of both worlds--you can instantly look inside your fridge without keeping it extra tidy as with glass doors.

Door-in-Door Design

Perhaps one of the most common ways to incorporate tech is to have a door specifically for frequently-used items inside the door.

Think of it as a mini door inset into your main door.

This lowers the amount of air that gets let out of the fridge.

Choosing Your Refrigerator Type By Installation Method

There are three different types of refrigerators when you categorize them by installation method: counter-depth, full-depth, and built-in.

Choosing the right fridge for your layout is handy here, so let’s talk about what you get from each type, shall we?

Counter-Depth Fridges

A counter-depth fridge is meant to be installed to align with the depth of your counters.

This fridge will be flush with the counters in your kitchen, meaning the doors will be flush with your counters.

This gives your kitchen a unified and streamlined look but allows you to move it around as you see fit.

This category has the drawback of being smaller than a typical fridge since it will be shallower than usual.

This is fine if you don't store a lot of food.

However, if you rely heavily on your food storage, this may be a significant drawback.

You can remedy this if you have more width by opting for a counter-depth refrigerator on the broader side, such as 36" and up.

They are often cheaper than other types of refrigerators. A smaller size usually means a smaller price tag.

Full-Depth Refrigerators

Full-depth refrigerators are more profound than a typical counter, meaning they will jut out a little in most cases.

So, while the refrigerator should be flush with the counters, once you add the doors, it will be noticeably deeper than your counters.

Full-depth fridges usually look best at the end of a line of cabinets, such as in a corner or an independent spot from your counters.

Another design trick is creating a boxed-in area attached to your kitchen cabinets just for the refrigerator.

Even though these are relatively large and spacious refrigerators, most people consider a full-depth fridge standard.

This category has the most variety as far as refrigerator models go.

If you are a picky buyer, a full-depth fridge will maximize your chances of having a machine that works with your standards and the desired features.

Built-In Fridges

If you have a custom kitchen, you might get a customized refrigerator built into your cabinetry.

These pricey but increasingly popular choices have the following essential features:

Built-in refrigerators have custom widths and depths.

They are often tailor-made for a custom kitchen setup, with the maximum width being around 48 inches. You will need to talk to a specialist about these if you want one simply because of that fact.

They are made to be as spacious as possible. However, they're still not as deep as a full-depth fridge as they are typically counter-depth.

These refrigerators are meant to look sleek and are made with aesthetics being a primary focus. Buyers typically opt for custom cabinetry for the doors as well.

You won't find many "smart refrigerators" in this category either.

Because this type of refrigerator is essentially built into your cabinetry, removing it might require a specialist.

This makes moving your fridge a major no-go.

Specialty Refrigerators

Along with the traditional refrigerators, many different types of specialty refrigeration are offered to regular homeowners.

While they aren't the usual kitchen appliances, they aren't just for professionals anymore and can add value to your kitchen and lifestyle.

Beverage Coolers

Beverage coolers usually come in small sizes, meant to fit neatly under a kitchen or bar counter.

They are specifically configured to hold and cool beverages to an optimal temperature.

They also come in larger sizes, but because they tend to be an eyesore in larger sizes, they are more commonly purchased as under-the-counter appliances.

A beverage cooler might be ideal for someone who likes to keep lots of drinks cold but doesn't want to overcrowd their refrigerator.

Kegerators

Kegerators look like mini-refrigerators (where the keg is placed) but have taps at the top. You have the option of having more than one tap in some models.

These can be integrated beautifully into a kitchen or bar countertop.

Kegerators can make any beer lover look like a severe aficionado and add luxury to your home.

Mini or Compact Fridge

Another staple of college life, mini-refrigerators are meant to hold small amounts of food and soda, with space-saving being the most crucial facet of their design.

They are affordable and are typically used in college dorms and hotel rooms.

Today, many homeowners keep mini-fridges right in the kitchen to supplement their cooling needs.

Many manufacturers offer beautiful, sleek counter-depth models that integrate seamlessly with countertops and furniture.

Another recent model offering is under-the-counter drawer refrigerators. As suggested, they fit perfectly under any kitchen or bar counter, sit flush with cabinets, and pull out for convenience.

Chest Freezers

A chest freezer may be a better option if you have a lot of food you want to store but don't want to deal with more refrigeration.

Most frequently found in grocery stores, these open up from the top and allow you to store everything at a uniform, freezing temperature.

However, people typically keep these in their basement or garage for extra food storage.

It's important to note that freezers no longer come in chest form. Not only do they come in chest and column, but also compact form.

Wine Refrigerators

Wine refrigerators aren't like a typical bar fridge, primarily because bar refrigerators tend to be geared towards keeping soda and beer frosty cool.

With a wine refrigerator, the objective isn't to keep wine extremely cold.

Instead, it's about storing wine at the optimal temperature and keeping it at the proper serving temperature.

Wine refrigerators can be an add-on to a bar or any kitchen or can be added in as a built-in cabinet. In addition, some people opt for full-length refrigeration.

They can add an actual "wow-factor" to anyone's kitchen or wet bar.

Since these tend to be viewed as status symbols, expect them to be pricier than other options.

Ice Makers

Though not a refrigerator in the traditional sense, ice makers are handy for people who love their ice.

It will impress your guests when you serve them unlimited ice-cold drinks.

They are usually compact and low-cost unless made especially for professional bartending.

With ice makers, you may need a connection to your water line and a drain to make them function.

So choose wisely and read the specs before you get into it too much.

Many models fit nicely under the countertops and flush with your cabinetry.

You can even choose between a design that looks more like a mini-fridge with a door, in a drawer or double-drawer form, or even an ice cube shape.

Walk-in freezer or Refrigerator

Walk-in refrigerators or freezers, or "walk-ins" as they are more commonly known, are most widely meant for people with a professional setup.

They are in food storage warehouses, restaurants, and grocery stores.

However, it's not just for professionals, people living in mansions, or kitchen staff.

Homeowners do not usually convert their walk-in pantries to walk-in refrigerators.

Walk-ins are also used by people who have catering kitchens in their homes.

While the idea sounds glamorous, it's important to remember the extra energy consumption with walk-ins.

Which Refrigerator Type Is Right For You?

Honestly, we can't always tell which refrigerator will be correct for you to use.

If you are in the market for a new fridge, the best way to tell which will be the right type for you is to look at your available space, your budget, and the needs you want to meet.

Assessing Your Refrigeration Needs

Also important to evaluate is how much food you shop for and your priorities.

Do you cook a lot or use a lot of fresh ingredients? Do you buy primarily frozen foods or prepped meals?

Regarding your budget, do you have $1,500 or $15,000 set aside for your new refrigerator?

What's Your Budget?

Your budget will also close or open different brands for your kitchen.

For example, if your budget is $3,000, you're probably not going to be looking at any Sub-Zero or Viking refrigerators.

Luckily, most brands sell refrigerators in that price range and lower.

Also, many stores offer discounted prices for refrigerators already out of the box (called "open box") or display models.

You can buy one at a great price if there are slight damages or imperfections on the body or doors.

Sometimes, you can get a luxury brand like Jenn-Air or Dacor for thousands less just because it is open-box.

How Much Space Do You Have?

Determining how much space you have in your kitchen for a refrigerator will also determine how you shop for one.

Even if your space is limited, refrigerators come in all depths, heights, and widths, making almost anything possible.

Just remember that something like a French door or a four-door might make more sense if you don't have much passing space in your kitchen.

If you've got a lot of space, maybe you need to fill that with a refrigerator and a freezer.

Kitchen Design

Another essential aspect you need to consider besides functionality, which is first and foremost, is how your refrigerator will look in your kitchen.

These days, so many refrigerators come in various sizes, colors, and finishes.

Retro Vs. Modern

Is your refrigerator a kickback to the 1950s? Is it a rustic or country-style kitchen, or perhaps super modern is your thing?

As mentioned earlier, it's not hard to find vintage-look refrigerators because so many manufacturers now offer retro lines.

However, if it's modern you want, you'll want to stick to a refrigerator model that offers straight clean lines.

Finishes

While stainless steel has been the most popular option for appliances in the past ten years and still works well as a versatile finish for any color scheme, matte-finish appliances are recently all the rage.

Stainless steel looks shiny, sleek, and professional, but fingerprints are quickly left behind and unsightly.

The matte finishes use technology that quickly hides messy smears and handprints.

Many brands now offer matte finishes in a variety of colors.

Panel-Ready

Panel-ready refrigerators can put your panel instead of a conventional door.

This means you can have the door match the rest of your kitchen cabinetry, giving your whole kitchen a seamless look.

The panel-ready option is often considered a high-end look.

Hardware

Attention to detail can pay off when completing your kitchen with the perfect refrigerator.

That means considering details like the hardware on your refrigerator. Your kitchen can look extra chic with matching hardware.

Some brands offer hardware kits to change the door handles to a different finish or color.

Conclusion

With careful observation and planning, you'll find a refrigerator that works for you, even with a limited budget.

The number of choices today is astounding and can even be overwhelming.

Besides researching online or asking friends for recommendations, you might be best served visiting a major appliance center or showroom.

That way, you can see the models, colors, and finishes in person, compare features, and get help from a sales rep who might be more knowledgeable about features and reliability.