It would be great if there was a one size fits all solution for buying a fridge, but that is not the case. Most homes today are designed with a very specific space for the refrigerator. There is usually a counter and cabinet cut-out area where the fridge can easily slide into. Whether you like it or not, that is the space that you have to work with, which will dictate our options when selecting a fridge for the home.
Dimensions
As we just noted, the space available to you is going to dictate the largest and widest fridge you can have in the home. So, you will need to take the measurements before you start browsing for a new refrigerator. First measure the width of the open space, then the height, as well as the depth. Now, that is the maximum open space, but that is not the maximum measurements you want for your fridge. You need to have enough open space on the sides to manipulate the refrigerator and leave space in the back for air circulation, so the depth of the area also comes into play.
The Ventilation Space
As noted above, you need to have some space around the refrigerator to ensure proper ventilation. In order to make sure that happens, you need to have at least two inches behind the refrigerator and at least 1/8†of an inch on the sides. Personally, I prefer a little more space just to ensure you can get your hands in there and move it around when you need to pull it out to clean the space behind and under the fridge.
What Size Should I Pick
Refrigerators have an average size of 30â€w, 66â€h, and 33†deep. Having said that, you can generally find them ranging from 24†to 40†inches wide, 62†to 72†tall, and 29†to 36†deep. The size of your household will play a big role in the type of fridge you need. The general rule of thumb is that you will need five cubic feet per person. So, for a one or two-person household, you want a fridge around 10 cubic feet. For a family of four, you need at least 20 cubic feet, so you get the idea here.
Another consideration is how much food you generally hold in the refrigerator and freezer. This can also determine the type of fridge you want, meaning side-by-side or top and bottom. For instance, if you like to food prep, a side-by-side is going to be better for you to store the food.
The final consideration is style, but that is a personal preference. However, if you live in an apartment, that can often be determined by the color scheme already in place. For those who love stainless steel appliances, they do look great but remember they also show finger and handprints quickly, so they will require regular outside cleaning to keep that beautiful shine.
