“My New Fridge Is Too Big!”

“My New Fridge Is Too Big!” Things to Consider before You Buy a Refrigerator

With such great designs and vibrant colors, it’s easy to get carried away and buy this beautiful, yellow side-by-side refrigerator to brighten up your kitchen! But will it fit? Is it designed by the latest technological innovations? Is it as energy efficient as you want it?

Lately, the home appliance world has become the wonderland of technology and color. Getting attracted, even lured, by all this magic is easy. Do you know what’s also easy? To make a mistake. And when it comes to your refrigerator, even a tiny mistake is often enough to bring chaos in the kitchen or cause unnecessary headaches. Want to avoid all that? See which factors to consider before you buy a new refrigerator for your home.

The refrigerator’s size, your available space

One of the first things you should do before you even start looking for a new refrigerator is measure. Once you do that, measure again. Getting the right size fridge is dependent on how much space you’ve got in the kitchen. And things get tougher when you plan to squeeze the fridge between the stove and the cupboard. Of course, things get a lot easier if you have an empty wall and plan to place the fridge there, as furniture.

Assuming that the dimensions of the famous kitchen triangle – sink, fridge, oven, are right, you don’t need to check the distances. But if these dimensions are the minimum recommended and you have the space for a wide fridge, its door will be wide too. Make sure it opens without bumping in the kitchen island.

Don’t forget to measure the available height too – an inch will make a difference, especially if there’s a cabinet or other structure over the fridge spot.

This might sound far-stretched, but it’s not. Measure the openings of the doors in your home, following the route the fridge will follow when it will arrive to your house. When you order a fridge, it doesn’t just pop in the kitchen. But how about if you have the space for a side-by-side fridge but it won’t fit through the door? Wouldn’t it be a shame?

The energy efficiency label of the fridge

Fridges consume lots of energy. Luckily, there’s been some improvement in this domain and today, there’s a wide option among energy efficient refrigerators. Yes, the more energy they save, the more they cost. And surely, one of things you seriously consider before buying a refrigerator is the cost & your budget. But always remember that you pay more when you buy but save money down the road. Plus, you help the environment.

The style of the fridge candidates

Fridges & freezers come in several configurations. You can get bottom mount fridges or freezers, side-by-side units, etc. The style of the fridge matters a lot – and not just for aesthetic reasons. Primarily, this decision of yours is subject to the size limitations in your home, as we have already explained above. Then, you need to consider what serves you best. For example, when the fridge is on top of the freezer, it’s at eye level and so, more convenient. But how about if all members of your family are quite short and can hardly reach the shelves? It’s also helpful to know that freezer-on-top models consume less energy.

The fridge’s features & internal layout

Unless you get a French-door refrigerator, most models are pretty narrow. You need to thoroughly check the space available inside the appliance and its features – drawers, door space, available heights for bottles, etc. Do you want adjustable shelves? Maybe, an ice maker and water dispenser? It’s essential to pay attention to the features of the fridge, always based on your own personal needs.

The overall aesthetics and color of the fridge

If the rest of your kitchen appliances are white, you may want to stick with white for the fridge as well. But don’t be afraid to bring some color in the kitchen by getting a vibrant green, lime, yellow, or red refrigerator. Or go for black. If you prefer the classic stainless-steel finish, make sure it is smudge-resistant, or you’ll spend more time cleaning its surface than enjoying its beauty.