How to Choose the Right Refrigerator for Your Kitchen

Choosing the right refrigerator for your kitchen depends on several key factors, including position, dimensions, capacity, configuration, finish, and features. Follow our step-by-step guide to find the fridge that fits your space and lifestyle.

In this article

1. 01

   Evaluate Your Needs

2. 02

   Measure the Available Space

3. 03

   Determine the Configuration

4. 04

   Choose the finish

5. 05

   Compare Features 

01 Evaluate Your Refrigerator Needs

Set Your Budget Before Buying

Your budget is a key factor to consider. Setting a budget before you shop will help you avoid overspending on non-essential features. That way, you won’t end up paying extra for an ice maker you will rarely use. 

The fridge you chose costs a little more than planned? Talk to your consultant—our team can walk you through payment options and flexible financing plans. 

Find the Right Capacity for Your Household

Which fridge is best for 2, 4, or 5 people? In appliance terms, that essentially means determining the capacity you need. As a guideline, plan for about 4 to 6 cubic feet of fridge space per person in your household.

For two people, you’ll want a capacity of around 10 cubic feet, not counting freezer space. For larger households, add about 1.5 cubic feet for each additional person. Overall, a total fridge/freezer capacity of about 21 cubic feet is usually enough for an average family.

Capacities vary depending on the type of refrigerator. Due to their shallow depth, counter-depth fridges typically offer less cubic footage than standard models. The largest capacities are typically found in side-by-side and French-door refrigerators.

Shop Refrigerators by Capacity

Under 9 cu. ft.  9.1 - 13.9 cu. ft.  14 - 19.9 cu. ft.  20 - 23.99 cu. ft.  24 - 25.99 cu. ft.  26 - 30 cu. ft.

Consider Your Lifestyle and Habits

Consider your daily routine and that of your family. Do you live in an apartment or a house? Do you cook often? Do you prefer making big grocery trips or shopping more frequently in smaller amounts? Do your kids open the fridge often for snacks? Do you like having fresh water and ice cubes on hand?

Your answers will help determine the refrigerator configuration that best suits you. Depending on your habits and lifestyle, some models may offer more freezer space, adjustable shelving, convenient features such as a water dispenser, or even a dedicated section for the kids’ snacks.

Match Your Fridge to Your Kitchen

Choosing a refrigerator is not just about capacity or features—it also needs to blend with your kitchen’s style. Consider the colour and finish of your other appliances, the design of your cabinets, and the overall atmosphere of the room. Go for a fridge that complements your space without disrupting the visual flow, while still being practical for everyday use.

02 Measure the Space Available for Your Fridge

First things first, consider the dimensions of your space before selecting a model.

How to Measure the Space for Your Appliances

• Width
  Measure the distance between your cabinets. Most refrigerators are 30 to 36 inches (76 to 91 cm) wide, though smaller models can fit into a 24-inch (61 cm) alcove. Don’t forget to allow room for hinges and door clearance if the fridge is close to a wall or cabinet. 
• Height
  Check the distance from the floor to the bottom of the overhead cabinets, if there are any. Check the hinge type—whether recessed or protruding—as this could interfere with opening the upper cabinets. 
  
  
• Depth
  Calculate the distance from the back wall to the front of your counters, including the baseboard. Most refrigerators are approximately 30 inches deep, whereas standard counters typically measure 24 inches. To keep the fridge from sticking out, consider a counter-depth model. 

Plan for Clearance and Circulation

Ensure the doors—including the freezer—open without obstructing the dishwasher, kitchen island, or cabinets. Allow 36 to 42 inches of space in front of the fridge for easy movement. Keep in mind that a single wide door requires more clearance than a side-by-side or French-door model. Also, check that hinges and handles don’t interfere with the walkway.

Refrigerator Delivery

Even if the niche is large enough for your refrigerator, it might not fit through the doorway or between cabinets and the kitchen island—something that can be frustrating for both you and our delivery team! Also, think about turns and staircases: the most direct path is not always the easiest. For more details, please refer to our Delivery & Pickup Policy and our Return Policy.

03 Determine the Type of Refrigerator

Now that you’ve set your budget and analyzed your habits, it’s time to choose the refrigerator model that best fits your daily needs.

Top Freezer Refrigerator

This is the classic model: affordable, durable, and energy efficient. With the freezer on top, it offers a spacious interior that’s easy for kids to access. At a standard width of 30", it requires the most clearance for the doors to open fully.

Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

In this design, the freezer is located at the bottom, keeping refrigerated foods at eye level for easier access. The freezer usually opens like a drawer, making it simple to reach fruits and other frozen items.

French-Door Refrigerator

The French-door model, also known as a double-door fridge, features two doors for the refrigerator section and a bottom freezer accessible by a drawer or smaller doors. Highly popular, it offers generous capacity and convenient storage.

Side-by-Side Refrigerator

The side-by-side refrigerator is split vertically, with the freezer on one side and the fridge on the other. Ideal for families, it offers ample storage space and easy access to food. Most models include a water dispenser or ice maker for added convenience.

All-Refrigerator

The all-refrigerator model is dedicated entirely to fresh food storage, with no freezer section. Perfect if you don’t need extra frozen storage, it’s a practical choice for beverages and snacks in the garage or basement. Some models even feature specialized compartments for items like dairy products or sushi. 

Compact Refrigerator

Practical and space-saving, this small fridge fits easily into tight areas. Perfect for a small apartment, student room, outdoor kitchen, garage, or basement. It’s an ideal solution for extra refrigeration space.

04 Choose the Fridge Finish

If you already own a range or dishwasher, matching your refrigerator’s finish with your other appliances is often the best choice. However, if you’re remodelling your kitchen or purchasing a new appliance set, here are the most popular refrigerator finishes.

Stainless Steel

Classic and timeless, the stainless steel fridge adapts to any kitchen style and remains the most popular choice.

White

The white refrigerator is a true essential, making a comeback! It blends perfectly into modern kitchens or all-white designs. 

Black Stainless Steel

Bold and elegant, the black stainless steel fridge boasts a sleek, luxurious finish that pairs well with a variety of décor styles. 

Slate

With its dark matte look, the slate finish fridge coordinates easily with other appliances and hides fingerprints and smudges.

Black

Chic and stylish, the black refrigerator adds character and can transform a simple kitchen into a design-worthy space straight out of a décor magazine.

Platinum Silver

Inspired by fine jewelry, the platinum silver refrigerator finish adds a refined and timeless look to your kitchen. 

Red

Vibrant and daring, the red fridge brings a pop of colour and instantly becomes the centrepiece of your kitchen.

05 What Features Should You Look for in a Fridge?

Manufacturers compete with a wide range of clever features and storage solutions. Keep in mind that, just like with a car, adding extra features can also add to the price.

LED lighting, Energy Star certification, water and ice dispensers, Wi-Fi connectivity, and compatibility with Alexa or Google Home. It’s up to you to decide which options truly fit your daily needs, and which ones are more about luxury.

That said, a few essential features are definitely worth your attention:

• Door bins designed to optimize storage for bottles and condiments.

• Removable shelves to accommodate larger containers.

• Adjustable-height drawers for flexible organization.

• Temperature-controlled compartments to keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer.

Reduce Your Refrigerator’s Energy Consumption

Our parents’ appliances used to consume a lot of electricity. Today’s models are far more efficient, thanks to ENERGY STAR certification. This label guarantees that your appliance uses at least 20% less energy than the current standard requires. The EnerGuide label also shows you the average annual energy consumption of your new appliance.

To lower your electricity bill, adopt these good refrigerator habits:

• Set the temperature between 1.7°C and 3.3°C (35°F to 38°F) for the fridge and -18°C (0°F) for the freezer.

• Leave some space behind and on the sides to ensure proper ventilation.

• Avoid placing the fridge near a heat source, such as the oven.

• Limit how long you keep the door open.

• Defrost the refrigerator and freezer regularly.

• Clean the dust around the motor and coils.

Ready to choose your new refrigerator?

At RD Furniture, you’ll find a wide selection of reliable, high-performance kitchen appliances from trusted brands — all at the best price.