How to position the refrigerator in the kitchen: basic rules, important and useful tips

The refrigerator is the largest piece of household appliances in the kitchen, and even very important, and there is no way to replace it, because there is simply nothing on it. You need to store food somewhere. Therefore, when planning any kitchen, the question always arises “where to put the refrigerator?” After all, the reality is that large kitchens in an apartment are rare, although even in a spacious room this issue must be approached wisely. And if the kitchen is small, then the placement of furniture will turn into a whole problem. It is for this reason that you need to familiarize yourself with the topic in detail and find ways to solve the problem..

When planning a kitchen, the question arises where to install the refrigerator.

Which refrigerator to choose

There is definitely no rush to buy a refrigerator. First you need to analyze the features of the layout and interior. If this is a standard Khrushchev, you definitely need to avoid large-sized models. Plus, the color of technology also plays an important role..

Going for the refrigerator, answer a number of questions for yourself that will help you make the right choice:

The refrigerator must be built-in.
How much can you spend on this household appliance item.
What are the main colors in the design of your kitchen.

The refrigerator should match the overall design of the kitchen.

Today, manufacturers offer a wide selection of a wide variety of models and for any premises. More and more often, color models can be found, which is very good for certain design decisions. It is for this reason that the task of finding a suitable model in any price category has long ceased to belong to the category of super complex.

Kitchen interior with two door refrigerator.

Basic rules for location in a modern kitchen

The kitchen is the place where households visit most often during the day, and it is for this reason that it is important that everything on it is located as conveniently and practically as possible. The refrigerator is constantly used – it opens and closes, and therefore should be located so as not to interfere with anyone. To do this, it is important to know some of the nuances:

the most important factor is the shape and size of the kitchen;
the working area of washing, processing and storage should be located at a distance from each other (what this distance will be depends on the size and layout of the kitchen);
ceiling height;
the location of the windows and their sizes;
the presence or absence of a balcony;
the kitchen is a walk-through room or not;
location of sockets.

When choosing a refrigerator, you need to consider the size and height of the kitchen..

At the same time, there are a number of factors that determine where exactly the refrigerator cannot be installed:

the refrigerator should not stand near the stove or heating radiators – this can lead to malfunctions;
should not be placed near a window to avoid heating from direct sunlight;
indoors, where humidity can be more than 80%.

It is not advised to put the refrigerator near the window and heating appliances.

Additional Information! If the choice fell on a model made of stainless steel, then the interior must have similar elements that complement it. So the technique will organically fit into the style..

Location options

Experts identify several of the most optimal accommodation options. Among them, everyone will find something that suits him..

The corner is a precious place

This arrangement is the best solution for a small kitchen. Such an arrangement will not spoil the design concept and will fit organically into the layout. The refrigerator can stand to the side of the entrance, becoming, as it were, an extension of the headset. Thus, you significantly save space and save free space for other purposes..

Refrigerator in the corner of the kitchen.

Choosing a line

This option is suitable for spacious kitchens. The essence of the linear principle is that the headset and all household appliances are lined up along the wall in one straight line. The refrigerator can be built in between other furniture elements, or it can be placed on the edge.

Installing the refrigerator in line with the headset.

Kitchen with dining area

Such a kitchen, due to its size, greatly simplifies the problems of arranging equipment, because the dining area with a table can be located in the living room. Any model is suitable for such a room. The main thing is that it looks harmonious. Since this is a large-sized appliance, the refrigerator can be balanced by purchasing a cabinet or some kind of rack of the same dimensions. It is necessary that such furniture be combined with a refrigerator in size. Sometimes, when using this technique, the rule about working areas is violated, but the aesthetic part wins and freedom of space is added..

Refrigerator in the dining area of the kitchen.

Built-in refrigerator

This option is more often chosen for spacious spaces, because it additionally “eats up” several square meters. The main thing is not to forget that, before embedding the equipment, it is necessary to leave room for air circulation, that is, there must be gaps between the walls, otherwise the equipment will not be able to work normally. This arrangement allows you to make the technique completely invisible. You need to be especially careful with the dimensions so that the selected instance fits exactly the dimensions of the prepared niche..

Design of a small kitchen with a built-in refrigerator.

Disguised refrigerator

One of the most interesting options is the wardrobe disguise. In this case, the integrity of the design is preserved. The equipment can be hidden under the cutting surface of the headset – in drawers (which is most convenient for a small kitchen). This arrangement has its advantages:

Harmony with the general concept of style;
Savings due to additional thermal insulation of the walls;
Low noise level during operation;
Damage protection.

Refrigerator disguised as a cabinet in the interior.

Installing the refrigerator in a niche

If there are several ways to save space in the apartment. This issue is especially relevant for owners of small apartments, Khrushchevs. And one of the options for how to do this is to install the refrigerator in a special niche. In a small room, large objects seem especially bulky, and sometimes create a feeling of clutter and clutter. Niche location is a great way to save space properly and hide bulky equipment..

Installing the refrigerator in a niche.

Placing the appliance on the balcony adjacent to the kitchen

If the kitchen has access to a loggia or balcony, then a good way to relieve space would be to install furniture on that very balcony. However, this option is not very popular, because in order to implement it, you need to pre-insulate the loggia so that even during severe cold weather the room temperature remains there. You also need to provide high-quality ventilation of the balcony, which is important to prevent overheating or, on the contrary, the appearance of condensation in a large volume. In addition, the refrigerator should not be exposed to direct sunlight, and the base of the balcony should be reinforced, taking into account the weight of the refrigerator..

Refrigerator on the balcony.

Several solutions for a small kitchen

One of the common placement options is to move the refrigerator to other rooms. But if this is not possible, then other options should be considered on how to beat the space:

take care of the kitchen set with a special niche for the refrigerator in advance;
replace the stove with smaller appliances: microwave oven, multicooker, double boiler;
instead of a regular stove, purchase a built-in one;
consider the option of purchasing a desktop refrigerator and place it under the table;
implement the above described angular placement method.

Small kitchen interior with refrigerator.

You might decide that placing a refrigerator in your kitchen is not an easy task. There are no general rules in this matter, so each case is individual. You should take measurements as carefully as possible, take into account the appearance and design, and also not neglect the advice and advice of specialists..

Examples of placing the refrigerator in the kitchen

Reflecting on the question of where to put the refrigerator in the kitchen, many are at a dead end. After all, there are no universal rules regarding how best to put the refrigerator, for example, in a large kitchen? And what should the owners of small apartments do? How to put a refrigerator in a small kitchen correctly and without harm to space? In order to make it easier to make the right decision, you need to familiarize yourself with examples of ready-made projects for kitchen layouts and furniture arrangement.

Large kitchen design with a two-door refrigerator.

Useful Tips

Whatever question you face, do not be afraid to seek help from professionals and more experienced specialists. Of course, you can figure everything out on your own, but this can take too much valuable time. The problem of placing the refrigerator is no exception. Here, too, you need to familiarize yourself with the recommendations of the experts:

It is important to think carefully about the place in which the refrigerator will be located, because the equipment should not interfere and create inconveniences.
Opt for glass! It is better when compared to plastic. Glass shelves last longer and are easy to clean.
Particular attention to the quality of the seals when buying: it is important that they are elastic and allow you to open the refrigerator without additional effort.
The best models are those equipped with the NoFrost system. Caring for these will be much easier..
Be sure to inspect the model prior to purchase, right up to the moment of plugging it in. If you smell an unpleasant smell, it means that the plastic is of poor quality..
For an apartment in which a family of no more than 5 people lives, a model with a volume of no more than 300 liters is more convenient.
For a summer residence, it is better to choose a single-chamber model. For home, the best option is a refrigerator with two or three chambers..
The handle “recessed” in the body will visually help save space and will not clutter it up.
If you’re looking to save space, consider a separate freezer..
It is important to pay attention to the noise level – it should not exceed 40 dB.
Models on wheels are especially mobile in movement, they are more practical.

The refrigerator should match the color of the kitchen unit.

Following these recommendations will help everyone to first choose the optimal model from the whole variety offered by modern manufacturers who supply the assortment, and then choose the most convenient placement option..

Conclusion

Choosing home appliances is always not an easy task. You need to choose a model with optimal characteristics, suitable design, size, and price. In the case when the item is large, like a refrigerator, the question of proper placement also arises. However, only at first glance this may seem like a problem. Professionals in their field have more than once tried many techniques in kitchen areas of various sizes, and they know exactly how to comfortably and functionally install a refrigerator in the kitchen. If you carefully study these recommendations and apply them in practice, taking into account the characteristics of your kitchen and your needs, then without much difficulty you can place the refrigerator so that it does not interfere, but, on the contrary, will please the eye..

Design of a studio apartment with a refrigerator.

Video: How to place a Refrigerator in a Small Kitchen 4 square meters

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