Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Fridge Size
Try not to get overwhelmed by the many choices in styles, brands and features. There’s no perfect fridge, it’s all about what works for your budget, lifestyle and living space. It’s easy to get distracted by the look or refrigerator finish, but don’t forget to start by narrowing down your choices based on these essential questions.
- Will this fridge size fit into my kitchen? Can I open it smoothly where I want to place it?
- Can the refrigerator be brought into my house? Think about the entire pathway into the house including stairs and doorways. Remember that many models feature removable doors which can help.
- Is there enough room for proper ventilation based on your refrigerator measurements?
- How long are you planning on staying in your home?
- What’s your budget? Don’t forget to include delivery costs.
- How much are you cooking or entertaining?
- Do you need a water line installed or is it already there?
- Would you prefer a freezer on top or on the bottom?
- Counter depth or standard depth?
- What features are necessary vs. nice to have?
Measure Your Space Accurately
Before you start shopping for a new refrigerator, measure your space to make sure the model you choose fits properly. Taking accurate measurements can help prevent delivery issues and ensure the refrigerator works comfortably within your kitchen layout.
Measure the Opening: Using a tape measure, determine the height, width and depth of the space where your refrigerator will be installed. When measuring the width, check the opening in three places: near the upper cabinets, at counter height and along the floor. Old houses, and wood in general, changes over time. Expanding and contracting can lead to different measurements.
Check the Depth: Measure from the back wall to the front edge of the countertop to understand how far the refrigerator may extend into your kitchen. This helps you decide whether a standard-depth or counter-depth refrigerator will fit your layout best.
Measure Your Current Refrigerator: Measuring the width, height and depth of your existing refrigerator can provide a helpful reference point if you’re deciding whether to upgrade to a larger capacity or choose a smaller model.
Compare With Refrigerator Specifications: Refrigerator dimensions are listed in the product specifications for each model. Compare those measurements with your available space to confirm the refrigerator you want will fit comfortably.
Plan for Fit, Function and Delivery
Leave Space for Ventilation: Refrigerators need airflow to operate efficiently. Check your manual for your specific refrigerator’s needs. Plan to leave about 1 inch of clearance at the top and back of the appliance so heat can escape and the refrigerator doesn’t overheat. More space may be necessary based on where water line sits, so check that placement as well.
Account for Door Hinges and Swing: Make sure there’s enough room for the refrigerator doors to open fully without hitting nearby walls or cabinets. Many models also require extra clearance on the hinge side, so plan for about 2 inches of space where the door swings open or allow enough room to pull the refrigerator slightly forward if needed.
Leave Room to Move the Refrigerator: Your refrigerator may need to be pulled out occasionally for cleaning and maintenance. Make sure there’s enough room to slide the appliance in and out safely when needed.
Plan the Delivery Path: Remember that the refrigerator has to make it into the kitchen first. Measure doorways, hallways, stairways and tight corners along the delivery route to ensure the appliance can be moved into place.
Taking the time to measure carefully can save you a lot of heartache come delivery day and works to avoid buyer’s remorse once you’re regularly using your fridge. Don’t skimp on these steps.
A Counter-Depth Refrigerator vs. Standard-Depth Refrigerator
If you’re interested in the sleek look that a counter-depth refrigerator provides, keep in mind that it does impact the refrigerator dimensions. A standard-depth refrigerator will extend six inches past the front of the counter into your kitchen space. While it might not seem like much, it makes a difference if you have a kitchen island or if you’re already used to a counter-depth design style. For more detail on this, check out our comparison guide.
The Standard Sizes for Refrigerator by Style
Replacing a refrigerator would be so much easier if every model was one standard size. But depending on your needs you could wind up with more or less fridge space than you want. Since the size and design of each kitchen is so different, refrigerator styles come in a range of sizes to meet those needs. Here are some of the average refrigerator sizes you can expect based on the refrigerator style:
French Door Refrigerators: Fridge sizes can vary from 29-36 inches wide by 68-70 inches tall and 29-35 inches deep.
Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators: Fridge sizes can vary from 29-33 inches wide by 67-70 inches tall and 33 inches deep.
Side-by-Side Refrigerators: Fridge sizes can vary from 32-40 inches wide by 65-72 inches tall and 29-32 inches deep.
Top-Freezer Refrigerators: Fridge sizes can vary from 28-33 inches wide by 61-67 inches tall and 28-35 inches deep.
What Refrigerator Size You Need Based on Your Household
There are general rules when it comes to how many cubic feet you need based on how many people are in your household. Use these numbers as general guidelines: two people typically need between 4-13 cubic feet, while a family of five people or more would want a fridge with at least 25-cubic feet.
Beyond that, think about whether you buy more fresh or frozen food. It helps inform how much space you need in your refrigerator and freezer. Depending on your needs it’s smart to think about buying a mini fridge for beverages only or a separate freezer for frozen foods.