Fridges: Counter-depth vs built-in

[Anonymous]

We are remodeling the kitchen and buying new appliances. I am super clueless about brands and what's trendy and what's not and need some feedback.

First: Our architect strongly recommends built-in rather than counter-depth. Built-in is a lot expensive obviously but she feels like we'll regret it if we don't. Any advice from people who have made this choice? Would love thoughts.

Also, when you make this choice, is it always both fridge and dishwasher?? Could I get the cabinet style panel on dishwasher but not fridge or would that look totally weird?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I have a panel on the side of my fridge! It looks good.
I guess it would be a (slight slight) step up from the side of the fridge showing?
It makes that small area of the counter look nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a panel on the side of my fridge! It looks good.
I guess it would be a (slight slight) step up from the side of the fridge showing?
It makes that small area of the counter look nice.

Thanks. what about your dishwasher?

[Anonymous]

Don't get a counter-depth fridge with a panel - it's not a better option than stainless and looks clunky and a bit outdated.

If you can blow $10k on a fridge, go with built-in for sure. They take up less space and SubZeros at least get a lot of love for keeping food fresher for longer. I couldn't afford that and I'm happy with my KitchenAid counter-depth model. Only do a traditional full-depth fridge if you figure a way to recess it into a wall or build out the surrounding cabinets so it doesn't stick out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't get a counter-depth fridge with a panel - it's not a better option than stainless and looks clunky and a bit outdated.

If you can blow $10k on a fridge, go with built-in for sure. They take up less space and SubZeros at least get a lot of love for keeping food fresher for longer. I couldn't afford that and I'm happy with my KitchenAid counter-depth model. Only do a traditional full-depth fridge if you figure a way to recess it into a wall or build out the surrounding cabinets so it doesn't stick out.

OP here. This is what I was afraid of. Do others agree that it's a datedlook? For what it's worth, we like a pretty modern lighter look than a lot of the kitchens that the new builds in my neighborhood have.

[Anonymous]

You need to go to the store and see what they look like paneled. I can't recall exactly but the counter depth one paneled looked clunky. You can still see the grill I think? It looks like a fridge that has panels slapped on it.

The built-ins look like seamless cabinetry and look great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a panel on the side of my fridge! It looks good.
I guess it would be a (slight slight) step up from the side of the fridge showing?
It makes that small area of the counter look nice.

Thanks. what about your dishwasher?

My dishwasher is on the end, same in my last home. You would never see the outside side of the dishwasher in any case.

Cabinetry around the side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to go to the store and see what they look like paneled. I can't recall exactly but the counter depth one paneled looked clunky. You can still see the grill I think? It looks like a fridge that has panels slapped on it.

The built-ins look like seamless cabinetry and look great.

Sorry I misunderstood your first comment (if you are the same PP). You're distinguishing between built-in vs paneled? I thought you were saying that you prefer the stainless look. I am definitely choosing between built-in (going all out and throwing money at it) or just a regular counter-depth stainless fridge (which of course isn't really counter depth).

[Anonymous]

I’m perfectly happy with my stainless counter depth fridge. I agree the built ins are nice, but I prefer unpaneled (seems more honest) and to me it wasn’t worth spending another $8k to have a built in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to go to the store and see what they look like paneled. I can't recall exactly but the counter depth one paneled looked clunky. You can still see the grill I think? It looks like a fridge that has panels slapped on it.

The built-ins look like seamless cabinetry and look great.

Sorry I misunderstood your first comment (if you are the same PP). You're distinguishing between built-in vs paneled? I thought you were saying that you prefer the stainless look. I am definitely choosing between built-in (going all out and throwing money at it) or just a regular counter-depth stainless fridge (which of course isn't really counter depth).

I was a new poster. I am probably describing it poorly. All I know is when I went to the show room there were paneled fridges that looked bad. They were not truly built-in and looked more like regular fridges that were paneled. I am not sure I'm getting the terminology correct.

[Anonymous]

stainless built in

[Anonymous]

A truly built-in fridge looks way more high end.

[Anonymous]

I was dealing with the same choice and I went for built ins. Mostly because the counter depth freestanding fridge (not built in) had significantly less cubic capacity than the built ins. For thermador it was approx 20 cu ft for the 36” freestanding counter depth (not built in) vs 25 cu ft for the 48” built in (30” fridge plus 18” freezer). The counter depth also sticks out about 2-3” but that wasn’t a huge deal for me.

[Anonymous]

Everyone I know that bought counter depth regrets it. But you can buy a regular fridge and not put panels on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone I know that bought counter depth regrets it. But you can buy a regular fridge and not put panels on it.

why? If it's the size, I don't think I'll have that problem. I have never liked big fridges. I tend to "forget" food if it's not front and center and I hate that. Anyway, I have always had smaller fridges. Or at least normal fridges, not the big ones most people have so I think it will be fine.

Is there any other issue I haven't thought of?