Integrated Fridges

Once you have made the decision to go down the path of having an integrated kitchen, there are still more decisions to be made. You have to decide on the exact model of appliances you want before any of the other cabinetry can be made. The reason for this is because the cabinetry is what actually hides the appliance. Knowing the exact model number will let the rest of the plan for your kitchen come together. things like venting and power sources all have to be taken into account when designing an integrated kitchen.

One decision you have to make is whether to go with an integrated fridge or an integrated fridge freezer. This is a big decision, and one that actually has more than one part to it. Some fridge freezers are over under units, which will obviously be taller than the other option, side by side fridge freezers. The side by side models are generally much easier to make disappear in the visual aspect of the kitchen. they are lower in profile, although they can be quite wide. But being a lower profile allows for a much better chance of designing cabinets that are normal height yet still hide the unit inside of them. If you decide on an over under model, you are going to be dealing with a unit that is as tall as a traditional refrigerator. These units are much harder to build around in order to get that look of true integration. Not to say it is not possible, because it is. But there is no denying that it is harder to do than with a lower, side by side unit.

There are practical and functional considerations to consider when deciding between the two basic types of fridge freezers. If you go with a low profile side by side unit, you will be bending over and even kneeling down in order to get to the bottom of both the freezer and the fridge. This can be uncomfortable for some people, so it is definitely something that has to be thought through.

The price point for fridge freezers is generally quite a bit higher than for traditional refrigeration. Not every manufacturer makes integrated units. Integrated kitchens are extremely popular in Europe, and gaining a foothole in the United States. In the next few years there should be more choices available in these appliances, and that alone will make the prices come down.