The day of the delivery was bittersweet. After over a month of fetching milk, butter, cheese, eggs, leftovers, and such from the garage fridge, we were going to have a working refrigerator in our kitchen again. That was the sweet part. The bitter part was knowing I would no longer have a built-in fridge that blended in seamlessly with the cabinets. When designing our kitchen, one of the things I wanted most was hidden appliances. Aside from the range, that would be a feature. I worked on configurations and cabinet options to ensure that even countertop appliances like the toaster, electric kettle, and microwave were behind closed doors.
I knew that a panel-ready fridge that wasn’t a standard size would likely be a headache when it needed replacing, but I figured we wouldn’t have to deal with that for many years. Three years later, the fridge is completely dead, and we have exhausted our options to have it repaired. Jeff said it well when we were shopping for a replacement fridge. “It’s a cryin’ shame, but let’s get it done.”
I wish shopping for appliances were fun, but it’s not. I’m assuming that if you own a home and have gone through that process, you know exactly what I’m talking about. All of the brands have bad reviews, and when doing research, you’ll find one horror story after another. I always remind myself that people don’t usually take to the internet and post in forums if an appliance has performed exactly as expected. So, we decided to buy the fridge that best served our wants and needs from a local appliance store that also offers a 5-year extended warranty and servicing. That seemed like the best we could hope for.
A few days later, Jeff removed the panels from the fridge to ready it for removal. We decided to keep the panels because the hardware could be reused and the panels could come in handy. I’m not sure in what capacity, but there’s no harm in storing them in the basement.
To add insult to injury, we had to pay more to have the built-in fridge hauled away because it’s bigger and heavier than standard fridges. I looked at the gaping hole with a twinge of sadness. I didn’t have high expectations for the new fridge. I prepared myself for disappointment that cost over $2,500.
The delivery guy looked at the opening and said, matter-of-factly, “You realize the new fridge is shorter than your opening, right? There is going to be a big gap.”
I slumped. “Yes, I know it’s going to look stupid, but we need a fridge.”
They hooked up the waterline and slid the new fridge into place. There is one upside to having very low expectations – it doesn’t take much to exceed them. I must say, after all of my sighing, whining, and resignation, the fridge looks pretty good. To fill the gap, I put a couple of baskets on top. Even though it’s a quick fix and you can still see the unfinished framing behind it, it doesn’t look stupid at all.
The fridge we selected was the LG Counterdepth 25.1 cu. ft. with a zero clearance hinge system. I liked that the front was flat and clean, and the zero-clearance doors made it fit better in the opening. We also liked some aspects of the interior organization better than the KitchenAid model we were considering. In the back of my head, I also liked the idea that it would be possible to custom-fit some panels on these doors since they are flat. It wouldn’t be built-in, but it could look integrated if it were a complete eyesore.
While the panel-ready fridge was better, this is decidedly not an eyesore. It looks like a fridge, and a pretty subtle one at that.
We were planning on ordering a taller cabinet to fill in the gap above the fridge, but I’m glad we waited before purchasing one. After seeing it with the baskets in place, I’m not sure it’s necessary. We could build out a cubby and paint it to match. I have a quart of the matching green paint from the cabinet manufacturer. It would be a nice place to display baskets or store cookbooks. And it would save us almost $500 for the cabinet and the work of disassembling the crown and trim to install the new cabinet.
I was so happy to move back in from the garage fridge!
So, first impressions… Let’s start with the pluses: 1. The fridge is huge! There is so much space on the shelves, in the doors, and in the produce bins. 2. So far, cooling and freezing seem good. Nothing is freezing in the fridge. 3. We like the look of it and learned we don’t mind using the “hidden handles.” 4. It has a large ice bin, which is nice. Our last one was pretty shallow. 5. I thought I would be wiping it down multiple times a day, but it’s done a pretty good job staying smudge-free.
The downsides: 1. The zero clearance doors make it feel a little tight when the doors are open, and you’re reaching inside. It’s fine for us, but I can see that being problematic for someone with an offensive lineman’s physique. 2. The shelves in the doors aren’t adjustable, and it would be nice if they were. 3. The meat/cheese drawer is a little awkward to open, since it barely clears the door shelves. 4. The ice maker is a little slow. I’m the big ice user in our family, so it keeps up with me just fine, and the large bin means we have plenty on hand, which balances out.
When we discussed getting a regular fridge for this space, we thought it might stick out ridiculously far, but this one doesn’t. It does stick out a few inches, but it helps that the doors are slim and don’t have handles. We even considered moving the fridge and pantry to the wall where the antique pine hutch is currently located, so it wouldn’t be visible from so many sightlines (the front door, the hallway, and the living room), but that feels unnecessary.
Here’s a look from the side. It sticks out a bit, but again, it’s a fridge.
An Instagram follower sent me a DM while I was sharing my fridge angst, and she gently encouraged me, “It really is okay for a fridge to look like a fridge.” For over 15 years, our home has not just been our home, but a part of my business. It’s been a backdrop for photoshoots, a place to showcase products, the subject of freelance tutorials, books, and brand partnerships. We’ve always had a liveable home, but I must admit I have made many decisions over the years to make our homes as photo-friendly as possible.
As my work has continued to shift more towards fine art, I’m finding that I’m loosening my grip on that approach. I would want our home to be beautiful, whether I shared it online or not, but photogenic doesn’t have to be a top consideration.
31 Responses
A fridge doesn’t necessarily have to look like a fridge either. Sure, it may not be flush, but there’s no reason it couldn’t be made more aesthetically pleasing. Options include wrapping in vinyl or contact paper, painting, or perhaps fashioning painted panels that could be placed magnetically and easily removed as the whimsy strikes. Sky’s the limit. We spend a lot of time looking at our fridges. We should be able to enjoy them. Best wishes.
It looks so great with the baskets! It looks intentional to me—like the upper cabinets would be for seasonal storage, but you needed a space that wasn’t behind closed doors for beautiful baskets for things you needed more often, like while cooking. You are a professional beautifier, for sure!
Also, great choice, going with LG. I insisted we get all cafe line appliances, despite my husband’s preference for the dependability of LG. I regret it with our fridge. (And of course I regret “insisting” without hearing him out!)
I am just happy for you that there is a fridge. Whatever it looks like. It must have been very inconvenient to have to walk to the garage. Alexandra Gater, a YouTube home designer, even papers them over with fitting wallpaper. Of course, you had fitting baskets. XD Your husband and you are both right, from ‘just get it done’, while your aesthetic eye thinks it’s a shame.
The baskets look deliberate because you use so many in your home. A custom vinyl wrap matching the cabinets would go a long way to making it blend in.
We’ve had LG appliances for several years now. Be prepared that it will last just slightly longer than your warranty covers. But, their appliances fit the best for modern households so that’s why they’re so popular.
We purchased a high end water saving washer. I was beyond thrilled (once I got past the cost). I was convinced it would last for several years. It didn’t. The repairman was at our house so often I was beginning to think he was a relative. His advice was to purchase the simplest washer I could find with far less bells and whistles. He was right, it’s been a joy to use. Congrats on having a refrigerator in your kitchen again.
When we were doing the remodel on our house I chose the Cafe series, mostly for the range. I had convinced my husband to go for the whole “suite” to coordinate (that was my compromise on the whole built–in look). Well all was good until he saw the fridge had a not water dispenser in the door and he said that was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever seen and he wasn’t having it. Since I had the say about almost everything else in the house, I said OK and we got the exact fridge we had in our old house the biggest GE one they had. Since it’s only the two of us I thought it was overkill, but I have to say, he was right and in 5 years it’s worked brilliantly and simply (fingers crossed and knocking on wood!). The dishwasher, while it is quiet and cleans beautifully, has had two many visits from the repair guy. Stove too (but now that I don’t use the clean cycle, that has stopped being an issue). Good luck and I think the fridge looks lovely and not having to worry about your house being “instagram-worthy” all the time I hope is freeing.
It looks lovely with the two baskets. I moved to Colorado into an apartment and my frig is Small and short, kinda like me, lol!! It holds the food and it stays cold, most important. Mine is the old white…it came with the apartment and it is what it is. The rest of my apartment is gorgeous so I guess I’m ok. The repairman just left after fixing my dishwasher….I hope. I bought a small freezer that is in the garage. I don’t need much more. Your home is so beautiful. I’ve decorated in French Vintage and I love it. Remember I purchased one of your dining room sets in Virginia. Take care, Eileen
Lemons into lemonaid. I love the baskets. Well done.
It looks great, Marian! I personally don’t mind that a fridge looks like a fridge (I’d hate to live without one), but I understand the desire to make it “disappear” among the cabinets in the room. The baskets look great too, and when you tire of those, you can always replace them with a large/long antique dough bowl, or maybe a cool antique spool cabinet…even a cat (our cats used to love to lay on top of our fridge and look down on us peasants)! ;o)
I’ve gotta say, if I didn’t know the fridge’s “backstory”, I’d be hard pressed to find anything wrong with the baskets on top. It looks intentional and fits into your aesthetic quite nicely!!! Well done Marian!!!
I’ve been looking at used Sub zero fridges on marketplace. You can often find them for a steal! And they last 40 years. I got one that’s over 20 years old for an ADU we built on our property for 150$. Now I’m looking for one to put in our home.
Our Sub zero is old and great still, it blends with all the cabinets and fits in perfectly, who knows what would happen when it dies one day. Having one that sticks out would make me so uncomfortable and having that huge expanse of shinny metal is out of question. I am sorry for your struggle, and frustration, we are perfectionists as I know you are, maybe you’ll find a clever way to make the surface of fridge more discreet looking.
Have you considered cutting the old fridge panels to make that opening LOOK built-in?
You used your Midas touch and made the fridge look stunning with the baskets on top! Leave it to you to have two beautiful baskets of the perfect size. You always know how to make it beautiful!Vicki E
I heard the hope and disappointment as you worked through every possibility of fixing your fridge. When I saw this one in the very first photo I saw the silver being balanced by chandelier, the glass and pewter on the table, and then the glass in the chandelier in the dining room. You did an excellent job of finding the best solution. I’m sorry you’ve gone through this loss.. it matters.
Cynthia 💕
You did a Great Job with the baskets they really belong there. I went to the Orient for many years and talked with other buyers in my hotel and they all raved about Lucky Goldstar how all their appliances exceeded expectations from their customers And that was long before LG made it to the US market in a big way. And so many of my friends have their ref and love them. My last Whirlpool ref. made it exactly 20 yrs almost to the day And I have downsized with no ice maker and do not miss it since it’s only me now and no pool with lots of outdoor entertaining ! I’m living The Easy Life now and Love it @ 82 ! Enjoy all the work you and Jeff have put into your “new” home!
Admittedly, the original fridge was visually delightful but the new one looks very nice as well. I love the baskets. They look so “Marion”. We recently had to get a new fridge because our 5 year old Bosch died. Repairing it was going to be as costly as replacing it. Unfortunately because of a tight space we settled for a GE Monogram. I figure it will last about 3 years at the max. Our last GE was a nightmare and I swore I would never buy another one. But, I look across the room and there it is in all its unwanted glory…with cold food and ice in the freezer.
I’m in the middle of a whole house remodel and trying to be practical. My architect wanted me to get a huge built-in freezer fridge paneled combo – something I always dreamed of having. Knowing that appliances don’t last very long these days, I went for a counter depth LG (no panel), similar to yours. My thought being if it dies after three years, I’d rather replace a $3k fridge than a $25k fridge. I’m putting practicality above esthetics. You are so clever and the baskets look great. No one but you (and your devoted followers!) will ever know that the set-up isn’t exactly what you had planned.
You and your husband are so handy when it comes to woodworking projects, and no one beats your painting skills! If you built your cover for the stove top exhaust fan (and it came out beautiful), I’m sure you can create some kind of “box” to store cookbooks or a criss-cross in wood to store wine bottles. I also have an LG but with handles, and I wanted it simple, so also no water dispenser outside. That’s just another headache waiting to happen. My last fridge was a Whirpool that lasted 24 years, repaired the icemaker once with a part from Amazon, then 7 years later the “computer thingy” broke and we decided to get a new one. Nowadays having an appliance break will give you anxiety attacks. My kitchen had all “biscuit” finishes, now that doesn’t exist any more, so by the time I change all my other appliances to stainless, there will be something new, and stainless will be the new “avocado”. Your kitchen still looks gorgeous!!
You may have already thought of this, but I noticed that the plug outlet behind the fridge is just the regular “flush with the wall” outlet. Maybe have your electrician install a recessed outlet so you can push the fridge back a couple of inches more. (It looks like there’s a couple of inches sticking out before you get to the actual doors.)
Clever suggestion Mona! If it is so, brilliant idea.
Have you heard of people having a professional vinyl wrap their fridge. I wonder if you could do a custom green wrap that matched your cabinets
It seems like I might the only one but….I actually like this new look with the baskets a LOT better. A kitchen has to have a fridge…so be it!!! When I see it all built in, it looks like too many boxy cabinets. It certainly is no secret that you have and need a fridge. I think it all worked out great for the better.
The “bitter” sad part is the fact that other one only lasted 3 years. They know how to make them to last…but they don’t…sadly. And they are so expensive !!!! Oh! what a crazy world we now live in.
…Oh….I read that people are suggesting “wrapping/painting”…..that makes me think you are trying to hide damage…..it’s a fridge!!! Let it live free!!! It looks GREAT now!!!!
You found the best solution and at some point one realizes that it’s just a relief to have solved the problem. Love the basket solution! But this is not just an issue about our desire to have a beautiful look. We all have stories about the death of expensive appliances. I am angry that manufacturers have not addressed this problem. Planned obsolescence is unconscionable! Not just for our expense and headache, but for our landfills. These companies seemed to survive just fine for our grandparents who had refrigerators for decades. We are powerless.
I think putting that baskets there was stroke of genius. They look very intentional, like this was your plan all along. Bravo!!
Late to the fridge fest here. I’ve read the comments and you are scaring me- I have a 20 year old JennAire French door refrigerator without a single repair so far. I hadn’t realized the current ones don’t last.
I do think our grandmothers would have been delighted to have a refrigerator, in all its shiny box glory, proudly noticeable in their kitchens. They would have loved to have all our kitchen appliance helpers.
I think they make paintable contact paper. Maybe that would work to make it blend in more?
It looks very nice. Your choice of placing the baskets atop is very clever and photogenic.
You are so right about appliance shopping! It should be fun, but it isn’t and the more you read reviews regardless of the manufacturer the more depressing it gets. Let’s just be honest, nothing is made like it used to be and I think that is by design. My mother used to say that Sears Kenmore appliances had a 7-year timer on them….lol I do like the counter depth fridges, and we went with a KitchenAid counter depth fridge when we got new countertops and backsplash. I love the workaround to fill the gap with baskets. It looks nice and blends in so well with your style and decor. Here’s hoping the new fridge has a long life ahead!
Tessa Foley has a free standing fridge, so you are in good company. A free standing fridge doesn’t change the fact that you have a gorgeous kitchen and home. If you ever do end up wanting to close the gap, you don’t have to order and install a whole new cabinet. Cabinet companies will let you just order a door panel. You could simply attach a stationary panel up there. No more gap.