How to Find the Perfect Fridge for Every Lifestyle

A refrigerator is one of the most important purchases you can make for your home. Midnight snacks, Thanksgiving dinners, passive aggressive notes about whose turn it is to clean the dishes—the refrigerator is the center of it all! That’s why it’s important to find one that suits not only your kitchen space, but your lifestyle as well. Every household is different, and finding a fridge that matches your needs can be a challenge, but struggle no more, because the Don’s team has pulled together this handy buying guide to finding the refrigerator of your dreams!

If the Price is Right

Always start with a budget. There’s nothing more painful than falling in love with a beautiful fridge only to realize you’d have to sell your car—and maybe a kidney—to afford it. You can find wonderful, reliable fridges at every price point, but make sure you have a range in mind from the beginning to avoid unnecessary heartbreak.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

A standard refrigerator is typically between 23 to 36 inches wide, with built-in models measuring in at up to 48 inches. Measure your available space before you start shopping, but be sure to consider both your available kitchen space and your household’s needs. Kitchens don’t always allow for the refrigerator space needed, and if a remodel isn’t an option, you might want to consider supplementing with a compact fridge or a slim built-in made to fit a narrow kitchen corner. Counter-depth fridges are another space-saving option that have the added bonus of amping up your kitchen’s style. They’re designed to fit flush against your counters, which sacrifices some storage space, but also minimizes bulk and seamlessly integrates the unit into your kitchen without the higher price tag of a built-in.

Style is Forever

Fashion and function are equally important when it comes to picking a fridge. Of course, you want an appliance that makes mealtimes easy, but it also doesn’t hurt to hear a few gasps of admiration for your impeccable design taste from dinner guests. Your refrigerator's door style can completely set the tone of your kitchen, and it has a big impact on your kitchen's functionality, so be sure to give this particular decision special attention. There are four main refrigerator door styles to consider:

How to choose your fridge door style

Top Freezer

When you think of a refrigerator, this is probably the style that comes to mind—a side-opening fridge with a small freezer on top. These models are beloved for their simplicity, affordability, and energy efficiency, but they often don’t come with the most cutting-edge features.

Bottom Freezer

This one is just what it sounds like: the exact opposite of a top freezer, with a freezer drawer at the bottom and fridge storage on top. These are great for anyone who relies on their freezer for most meals, or who is sick of stooping to reach items at the bottom of the fridge.

French Door

The popular French-door fridge also has a freezer drawer at the bottom, but the fridge portion has two doors that open in the middle, much like—you guessed it—a French door! These are a great balance of style and convenience, plus they’re all the rage right now.

Side-by-side

Another stylish option, the side-by-side fridge has a full-height fridge on one side and a slightly narrower freezer on the other. These are great for easy access to everything you might need, although fitting wider items like pizza boxes and baking sheets might be a struggle.

Once you’ve decided on door style, you’ll want to consider what finish you want. The finish of your fridge can completely transform your kitchen, so take your time picking out the style that sings to you. You can’t go wrong with the timeless elegance of stainless steel, but stylish innovations like black stainless and fingerprint resistant finishes provide plenty of options to pick from. You could even go bold and throw in a pop of color in the form of brushed bronze or bright paint!

Feature Teacher

The way your fridge looks is only half of the equation when it comes to finding the perfect appliance—it’s the features that make your life easier that will really tip the scales in one model’s favor. Whether you’re looking for cutting-edge tech or simple solutions to make your kitchen more convenient, it’s important to know the available options while you’re shopping. Keep these common fridge features in mind and learn how they can—or can’t—make your life easier.

Ice and water dispenser

An in-door water dispenser is a must for many modern kitchens. You just can’t beat the convenience of chilled, filtered water at your fingertips anytime you want it! Luckily, these are pretty easy to find and some companies even offer exciting upgrades to the classic dispenser, like hot and sparkling water dispensers, or an option to boost ice production for parties.

Door-in-door

This energy-saving function includes an additional, openable panel on the outside of your fridge that lets you access smaller items like snacks and drinks without opening the whole refrigerator. Some are even made of glass, and illuminate when touched, so you can check out your supplies without letting out any of that precious, cold air.

Extra drawer

A new take on the French door model, some manufacturers have introduced refrigerators with an additional, climate-controlled drawer just above the freezer. It’s the perfect place to keep veggies fresh and let frozen meat defrost in safety, without compromising the temperature of your entire refrigerator.

Smartphone access

Smart appliances are the name of the game in cutting-edge culinary technology, and more and more refrigerators are giving you access to helpful features through your smartphone. When a smart fridge is connected to WiFi, some let you do things like activate the ice maker from across the house and even view snapshots of the inside of your refrigerator while you’re out shopping.

Adjustable racks and shelves

Many fridges now come with foldable, retractable, and re-arrangeable shelves, as well as adjustable racks for the fridge door. It’s a simple upgrade, but the ability to customize your fridge to your family’s needs will feel like a lifesaver to anyone who dreads the Tetris-like process of putting groceries away more than they hate shopping for them.

Music and TV

Don’t pause your favorite show to make dinner. You can stay engrossed in the drama from a screen right on your refrigerator—just be careful chopping those onions! Plenty of high-end smart fridges let you stream your favorite shows, movies, and music right in your kitchen, for non-stop family entertainment.

Energy saving

Energy efficient refrigerators are a great option for both eco conscious individuals and anyone who wants to save a buck on energy bills. Some smart fridges offer a “vacation mode,” which lets you shift the fridge into low power while you’re away from home, but if you’re not looking for anything that fancy, just keep an eye open for an Energy Star sticker and you’re sure to take home a fridge that’s good for the environment and your wallet.

Space, budget, and personal taste will all come into play when you're picking out that perfect fridge. No two kitchens or families are the same, but there's a fridge out there for everyone! So, take your time, and explore all your options before you take the plunge. With all these considerations in mind, you should be able to walk into the store with your head held high and find the right fridge for your home.

Blog

How to Find the Perfect Fridge for Every Lifestyle