A refrigerator is the biggest appliance in most kitchens, and it can look like a box parked in the corner. In this Vineyard kitchen remodel, tall white cabinets stand beside the refrigerator, and a cabinet above it reads as part of the cabinetry. Here is a closer look at cabinets around a refrigerator, and what to plan before you build them.
A Cabinet Above the Fridge
The space above a refrigerator is often left empty. Here, a two-door cabinet with black bar pulls fills it, so the wall runs from the top of the fridge up toward the ceiling. A cabinet above the refrigerator gives you a place for things you use only now and then, like large platters or a roasting pan. Plan its height with the fridge in mind, because the refrigerator doors still need to open fully.
A Pantry Wall Beside It
Full-height cabinets stand next to the refrigerator in two stacked sections, each door with a pair of black bar pulls. A pantry wall like this stores a lot in a small footprint and keeps dry goods and small appliances close to the fridge. Because the cabinet above the fridge and the tall cabinets share the same doors and pulls, the whole wall looks like one piece. Our kitchen cabinet hardware ideas guide covers more pull styles. Matching doors from top to bottom also help a tall wall feel calm instead of busy.
Room to Breathe
A refrigerator needs a little air around it to run well, so the opening is usually a bit wider than the appliance. In this kitchen, a slim shadow gap is visible beside the door. Check the manufacturer’s installation guide for the clearances at the sides and top before the cabinets are built.
Close to the Counter
The refrigerator sits at the end of the counter run, right beside the peninsula, so you can take out ingredients and set them down on the counter without crossing the kitchen. That keeps cold storage close to the prep area, which saves steps when you cook.
Planning Cabinets Around a Refrigerator
Before you order cabinets, measure the refrigerator’s width, height, and depth, including the door swing and the space for ventilation. Ask whether a counter-depth model suits your layout, since a standard-depth fridge can stick out past the cabinets. Plan the water line and outlet behind it, and leave a way to slide the unit out for service. Our ” How Deep Are Kitchen Cabinets? ” guide helps with sizing. Ask your cabinet maker to check every measurement against the exact model you plan to buy.
Planning a Kitchen Remodel of Your Own?
At America’s Advantage Remodeling, we have been handling kitchen remodeling projects across the greater Sacramento area since 2001, including Vineyard and nearby communities. Reach out for a free in-home consultation, and we will help you plan the refrigerator wall along with the cabinets, tile, and counters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much space should be above a refrigerator for cabinets?
A: Leave the clearance the manufacturer recommends and enough room for the doors to open fully. The right gap depends on the model, so check the installation guide and have your cabinet maker measure before the cabinets are built.
Q: How do you build cabinets around a refrigerator?
A: Measure the fridge, add the clearance the manufacturer requires, and have the cabinet maker build an opening with a cabinet above it and tall cabinets or panels at the sides. Plan the water line, outlet, and door swing before the cabinets are built.
Q: What is a counter-depth refrigerator?
A: A counter-depth refrigerator is shallower than a standard model, so its doors sit close to the front edge of the counters. It gives a more built-in look, though it often holds less than a standard-depth unit.
Q: Can you put a cabinet above a refrigerator?
A: Yes. A cabinet above the fridge adds storage and a built-in look. Make sure it sits high enough to leave the clearance the manufacturer asks for, and that the refrigerator doors still swing open fully.
Q: What should you store in a cabinet above the refrigerator?
A: Items you use only now and then work best, such as large platters, seasonal dishes or party supplies, because the cabinet is high and hard to reach every day.
Q: Should a refrigerator sit flush with the cabinets?
A: It depends on the model. A counter-depth refrigerator can sit nearly flush, while a standard-depth model usually sticks out a few inches past the cabinets. Check the measurements before you order cabinets.
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