How to Choose the Right Fridge for Your Kitchen and Household
There are so many options – where do you start? Right here!
The fridge is a kitchen essential, used every day and by all members of the household. So when it comes to buying a new one, the pressure is on to ensure you get a fridge that’s reliable, fit for purpose and long lasting too. Buying a new fridge used to be quite straightforward, but the multitude of options, sizes, colours and features available nowadays means there’s so much more to think about when making your decision. Follow these tips for finding the perfect model to suit both your kitchen and your household.
Freestanding
Rather than an integrated model, you might prefer a freestanding fridge. These tend to be less expensive than integrated fridges and you can put them anywhere in your kitchen, or even take them with you if you move house. They’re also available in a variety of colours and sizes, from roomier options to one that won’t protrude beyond the line of your cabinetry, or a full-depth model that will.
Freestanding fridges provide the opportunity to add a fun injection of colour, but it’s worth noting that coloured, metal or gloss finishes always cost more than standard white goods.
Want to add a touch of glamour to your kitchen? Discover how to do it with mirror
Rather than an integrated model, you might prefer a freestanding fridge. These tend to be less expensive than integrated fridges and you can put them anywhere in your kitchen, or even take them with you if you move house. They’re also available in a variety of colours and sizes, from roomier options to one that won’t protrude beyond the line of your cabinetry, or a full-depth model that will.
Freestanding fridges provide the opportunity to add a fun injection of colour, but it’s worth noting that coloured, metal or gloss finishes always cost more than standard white goods.
Want to add a touch of glamour to your kitchen? Discover how to do it with mirror
American-style fridge-freezer
In an American fridge-freezer, the fridge and freezer compartments sit side by side rather than one on top of the other, or sometimes there is a double fridge door with a freezer drawer underneath.
These models are typically 90cm wide and between 175cm to 180cm high. These generous dimensions make them popular with large families as they offer twice the storage capacity of a standard fridge-freezer. They also usually incorporate additional features such as water and ice dispensers. However, the downside is that they tend to be more expensive to buy and run than standard fridge-freezers and, while it’s not a problem if you have plenty of it, they also take up a lot of floor space.
In an American fridge-freezer, the fridge and freezer compartments sit side by side rather than one on top of the other, or sometimes there is a double fridge door with a freezer drawer underneath.
These models are typically 90cm wide and between 175cm to 180cm high. These generous dimensions make them popular with large families as they offer twice the storage capacity of a standard fridge-freezer. They also usually incorporate additional features such as water and ice dispensers. However, the downside is that they tend to be more expensive to buy and run than standard fridge-freezers and, while it’s not a problem if you have plenty of it, they also take up a lot of floor space.
Decide on the right size for your household…
How much fridge space you need generally depends on the size of your household and your typical buying, cooking and eating habits – if you live by yourself, you’ll obviously need far less fridge space than a family of five. Likewise, if you often eat out, live on takeaways, or buy more frozen than fresh food, a smaller fridge will suit you better compared to someone who regularly loves to cook from scratch.
Consider any specific household needs too. For example, a tall fridge can be much better for the elderly or someone with back problems, compared with an under-counter one, as it saves on bending. On the flipside, a built-under fridge might be better in families where they’re happy for the children to access the fridge by themselves.
Planning out your kitchen? See how to solve these common design problems
How much fridge space you need generally depends on the size of your household and your typical buying, cooking and eating habits – if you live by yourself, you’ll obviously need far less fridge space than a family of five. Likewise, if you often eat out, live on takeaways, or buy more frozen than fresh food, a smaller fridge will suit you better compared to someone who regularly loves to cook from scratch.
Consider any specific household needs too. For example, a tall fridge can be much better for the elderly or someone with back problems, compared with an under-counter one, as it saves on bending. On the flipside, a built-under fridge might be better in families where they’re happy for the children to access the fridge by themselves.
Planning out your kitchen? See how to solve these common design problems
… and for your space
While your new fridge must be the right size for your household, the amount of available space will also have a big impact on the type and size of model you go for. In a smaller kitchen, there might not be room for a separate fridge and freezer, in which case a taller fridge-freezer combination is best. You also need to ensure that there’s sufficient clearance for the fridge door to open, and that it opens in the best direction for the space.
If you’re replacing an existing fridge, don’t assume that a new one of the same height and width will fit, as you also need to leave space by the hinges so they can fully extend to open. There also needs to be room for ventilation at the rear and top of your fridge. This varies between manufacturers, but is usually recommended to be between 2.5cm to 3.8cm. Not leaving sufficient space here will mean your fridge having to work harder to keep cool, which in turn will drive up your energy bills.
If you’re going for a larger model, such as an American fridge-freezer, it’s important to check before buying that you’ll be able to get it through a front or back door, or window on delivery. And if your model comes with a water or ice dispenser which needs plumbing in, it will also need installing within 1.5m of the closest water source.
While your new fridge must be the right size for your household, the amount of available space will also have a big impact on the type and size of model you go for. In a smaller kitchen, there might not be room for a separate fridge and freezer, in which case a taller fridge-freezer combination is best. You also need to ensure that there’s sufficient clearance for the fridge door to open, and that it opens in the best direction for the space.
If you’re replacing an existing fridge, don’t assume that a new one of the same height and width will fit, as you also need to leave space by the hinges so they can fully extend to open. There also needs to be room for ventilation at the rear and top of your fridge. This varies between manufacturers, but is usually recommended to be between 2.5cm to 3.8cm. Not leaving sufficient space here will mean your fridge having to work harder to keep cool, which in turn will drive up your energy bills.
If you’re going for a larger model, such as an American fridge-freezer, it’s important to check before buying that you’ll be able to get it through a front or back door, or window on delivery. And if your model comes with a water or ice dispenser which needs plumbing in, it will also need installing within 1.5m of the closest water source.
Ask whether you need a freezer compartment
A freezer compartment can be helpful but it can also take up a large amount room in your fridge, so consider whether you really need one if space is tight. Perhaps you already have a separate freezer, like in this kitchen, in which case you could opt for a larder fridge (a fridge with no freezer compartment) instead and give yourself more space?
But if you do need a freezer, consider whether you want it above or below your fridge compartment. A top freezer drawer is the least expensive of models, as well as the cheapest to run because it consumes less energy. This is because the fridge’s compressor is located at the bottom of the appliance and it generates heat, meaning that if your freezer is next to it, your appliance is working harder and using more energy to stay cold.
That said, in terms of ease of use, it can be better to have the freezer drawer(s) at the bottom as you visit the freezer less often. This will also place your fridge contents closer to eye level, and save you from bending to access them.
A freezer compartment can be helpful but it can also take up a large amount room in your fridge, so consider whether you really need one if space is tight. Perhaps you already have a separate freezer, like in this kitchen, in which case you could opt for a larder fridge (a fridge with no freezer compartment) instead and give yourself more space?
But if you do need a freezer, consider whether you want it above or below your fridge compartment. A top freezer drawer is the least expensive of models, as well as the cheapest to run because it consumes less energy. This is because the fridge’s compressor is located at the bottom of the appliance and it generates heat, meaning that if your freezer is next to it, your appliance is working harder and using more energy to stay cold.
That said, in terms of ease of use, it can be better to have the freezer drawer(s) at the bottom as you visit the freezer less often. This will also place your fridge contents closer to eye level, and save you from bending to access them.
Assess the essential features…
There are lots of convenient extras available for fridges, and which you go for will depend on both your budget and personal preference. But before you choose any luxury features, there are some basic essentials you should first consider. This includes ensuring your fridge has enough shelves for your needs, especially if you do a lot of cooking. Adjustable shelves and drawers are essential, so you can arrange your fridge according to your needs and to suit your buying habits. These should also be easily removable for cleaning. Similarly, adjustable door racks/shelves create more space and flexibility for storing tall bottles, which saves you having to lie them on their side, which can take up valuable space in your fridge. The salad crisp drawer should be well sealed in order to keep your vegetables fresh, and it should slide smoothly so it can be easily opened and removed for cleaning.
Choosing a fridge with a warning noise is helpful in case you don’t shut the door properly, and a real bonus for open-plan kitchens is to choose a model with a low decibel rating, which makes for a quieter appliance.
There are lots of convenient extras available for fridges, and which you go for will depend on both your budget and personal preference. But before you choose any luxury features, there are some basic essentials you should first consider. This includes ensuring your fridge has enough shelves for your needs, especially if you do a lot of cooking. Adjustable shelves and drawers are essential, so you can arrange your fridge according to your needs and to suit your buying habits. These should also be easily removable for cleaning. Similarly, adjustable door racks/shelves create more space and flexibility for storing tall bottles, which saves you having to lie them on their side, which can take up valuable space in your fridge. The salad crisp drawer should be well sealed in order to keep your vegetables fresh, and it should slide smoothly so it can be easily opened and removed for cleaning.
Choosing a fridge with a warning noise is helpful in case you don’t shut the door properly, and a real bonus for open-plan kitchens is to choose a model with a low decibel rating, which makes for a quieter appliance.
…then pick your luxury extras
Modern fridges now feature a number of optional extras designed for added convenience. These range from fridges with built-in cameras, which you can view from your phone to see what’s inside when out shopping, drink dispensers, as seen here, and stay-fresh systems that keep your food fresher for longer. Some fridges even offer pre-cool memory systems, which monitor the door openings within a 24-hour period and then use this information to pre-cool the fridge just before a period where it expects heavy use, such as at breakfast or dinner time.
Such technology can come in handy but many of these features also come with a heftier price tag – something to bear in mind when it comes to making your final fridge decision.
Modern fridges now feature a number of optional extras designed for added convenience. These range from fridges with built-in cameras, which you can view from your phone to see what’s inside when out shopping, drink dispensers, as seen here, and stay-fresh systems that keep your food fresher for longer. Some fridges even offer pre-cool memory systems, which monitor the door openings within a 24-hour period and then use this information to pre-cool the fridge just before a period where it expects heavy use, such as at breakfast or dinner time.
Such technology can come in handy but many of these features also come with a heftier price tag – something to bear in mind when it comes to making your final fridge decision.
Go for a high energy rating
From 2014, all new fridge-freezers have been required under European law to have an energy rating of A+ or better. This might mean that they’re more expensive initially, but these models will cost you less to operate in the long term compared to older fridge- freezers. This is worth bearing in mind, particularly as the fridge is an appliance which continually runs and is rarely switched off.
Some models, however, include a ‘holiday mode’ which ensures that the fridge runs most efficiently when you’re away. You can also improve its efficiency by ensuring it’s always well stocked as an empty fridge has to work harder to keep cool (when empty, there is more cold air, which flows out each time the door is opened, causing the temperature to drop). Remembering to shut the door properly and not lingering over an open fridge while deciding what to eat will also help with this.
From 2014, all new fridge-freezers have been required under European law to have an energy rating of A+ or better. This might mean that they’re more expensive initially, but these models will cost you less to operate in the long term compared to older fridge- freezers. This is worth bearing in mind, particularly as the fridge is an appliance which continually runs and is rarely switched off.
Some models, however, include a ‘holiday mode’ which ensures that the fridge runs most efficiently when you’re away. You can also improve its efficiency by ensuring it’s always well stocked as an empty fridge has to work harder to keep cool (when empty, there is more cold air, which flows out each time the door is opened, causing the temperature to drop). Remembering to shut the door properly and not lingering over an open fridge while deciding what to eat will also help with this.
Consider an additional wine fridge
While it might be tempting to free up space by storing wine and beer in a separate fridge in a utility room or garage, this could end up increasing your running costs. Fridges need to be kept in a room within the appliance’s ‘climate class’, which is a range of temperatures within which it is designed to operate – and this does not usually include garages. Operating a fridge in a garage where the temperature fluctuates usually means the appliance has to work harder. If you have the space for it, consider including a wine fridge in your kitchen as a complement to your main fridge. It’s a luxury item but it will store drinks at the optimum temperature, and free up space in your main fridge.
Wine fridges come in a range of sizes, with some as small as 150cm in width, and they’re also available with child locks, which make them much safer for storing alcohol in than your main fridge.
What matters most to you when it comes to choosing a new fridge? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
While it might be tempting to free up space by storing wine and beer in a separate fridge in a utility room or garage, this could end up increasing your running costs. Fridges need to be kept in a room within the appliance’s ‘climate class’, which is a range of temperatures within which it is designed to operate – and this does not usually include garages. Operating a fridge in a garage where the temperature fluctuates usually means the appliance has to work harder. If you have the space for it, consider including a wine fridge in your kitchen as a complement to your main fridge. It’s a luxury item but it will store drinks at the optimum temperature, and free up space in your main fridge.
Wine fridges come in a range of sizes, with some as small as 150cm in width, and they’re also available with child locks, which make them much safer for storing alcohol in than your main fridge.
What matters most to you when it comes to choosing a new fridge? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Integrated
One of the first things to consider is what style of fridge you want – whether you want an integrated or freestanding one. An integrated fridge is hidden behind a cupboard door that matches and sits flush with the rest of your kitchen cabinetry, so unless your fridge is open you won’t see it or, in most cases, even be able to tell which cabinet contains your fridge. Integrated models are great for a clean, streamlined effect, which makes them especially popular in modern kitchens.
Integrated fridges can also fit beneath a worktop, which makes them a good choice for small kitchens where space is limited. Typically, their dimensions will be around 85cm high and less than W60cm x D60cm in order to fit within a standard kitchen base unit. Alternatively, integrated fridges are also available for taller units. These are beneficial as they offer more storage and also save you bending to access them. The size of a tall integrated fridge ranges from 130cm to 177cm tall, and again, it’s usually 60cm wide.