How to Choose a Counter Depth Fridge

Kitchen Cabinets

A counter depth refrigerator is a wonderful option when you want an appliance that looks aesthetically pleasing without the price tag associated with a built-in version. Counter depth fridges are wider and shallower than a standard depth refrigerator. This allows them to sit flush with your cabinetry and countertops. The depth ranges from around 23 inches to about 27 inches, and they usually come with French doors that provide you with a smaller freezer section on the left and a larger refrigerator compartment on the right.

Counter depth refrigerators make up for any capacity lost in depth by being taller than a traditional model. They are designed to be space saving as well as beautiful. They do sit flush while a gap between the fridge and abutting cupboards allow the doors to open and close freely. This refrigerator style is considered a reasonable mid-price option between a standard depth fridge and a custom-designed model.

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Popular Counter Depth Fridge Brands

When you are planning your NJ kitchen remodeling project you will find that several of the major brands offer counter depth refrigerators. This includes Bosch, Electrolux, and Viking. It is important to buy your counter depth fridge from a reputable brand that ensures you are getting one with a longer life expectancy and better features.

The brand you choose often depends on exactly what you are looking for. For example, companies like Jenn-Air and Thermador have some of the top professional counter depth refrigerators available. GE, Whirlpool, and Kitchen Aid also offer well-made designs.

Common Features Of Counter Depth Fridges People Look For

There are several features that homeowners immediately think of when starting a NJ kitchen remodeling project. Capacity is usually your first concern because you want to make sure it will hold all of your food. The average counter depth fridge has a capacity of between 15 to 25 cubic feet. This is less than a traditional refrigerator, but less space is the compromise you make for a more elegant design.

There are four main styles of counter depth refrigerators to pick from. Bottom freezer models have the fridge on top and provide 10 to 21 cubic feet of storage space. Top freezer models have the fridge on the bottom and offer the same capacity as a bottom freezer design. French door styles are the most popular with 22 to 28 cubic feet available, and side by side models will give you a capacity of 23 to 26 cubic feet.

Homeowners are also concerned with the price. A regular depth refrigerator is your least expensive option while built-ins are the costliest. Counter depth fridges typically start around $1,000 and go up from there. If you are trying to decide between a traditional refrigerator and a counter depth design, the price isn’t drastic but still a real concern for any homeowner.

Additional Counter Depth Fridge Features to Consider

There are several decisions to make when it comes to the features offered in a counter depth fridge. Many of these are missed by homeowners when they are not working with a NJ kitchen designer like Trade Mark Design & Build. For example, have you thought about whether or not all of your hardware will match? If you purchase your appliances from within a single package offered by one brand, the hardware will all be the same. On the other hand, if you select different appliances from several different brands, you will want your kitchen designer to help you coordinate all of the handles so that they all look nice when placed together in your new kitchen.

Your kitchen designer can also help explain to your exactly what your counter depth fridge will look like once it is installed. The box of the fridge is counter depth, but the doors often extend past the surrounding cabinetry. In order to have the doors flush, you need to choose a built-in design. Your designer will also help with the height which can range from 68 to 72 inches. They will even discuss with you smaller concerns such as the capacity of ice it will produce.

Homeowners looking for a beautiful fridge that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional will love the features a counter depth refrigerator offers. The price is reasonable, and it will blend in nicely with your cabinetry, countertops, and other appliances. Talk to your kitchen designer about which models will best suit your own personal needs.