Should I try a freestanding fridge instead of integrated one?

albernazj93

Hi guys
I'm moving next week and I'm not sure if I should get an integrated fridge or try to put a freestanding one?

What do yous think?




I haven't measured properly yet. I know the width fits, not about the height. Also I know a freestanding is deeper than a integrated fridge.

Not sure if I should remove or not the little piece of wood and fit the freestanding directly on the floor...

Have you ever had a similar problem?

Thanks a lot

colm_mcm

Surely that kitchen was built to take an integrated fridge.

albernazj93

colm_mcm wrote: »

Surely that kitchen was built to take an integrated fridge.

Yeah, I was thinking on removing the doors and fitting the fridge in there like in the attachment (I know my editing skills suck)


Not sure if it would look nice or better just going with an integrated one...

colm_mcm

Get the integrated one.

albernazj93

colm_mcm wrote: »

Get the integrated one.

Why would you suggest that?

Would not a normal fridge work in a integrated space?
I mean, because of ventilation of something similar

colm_mcm

I’m saying integrated because it will look way better and you already have the doors up.
You will need to add a vent to the kick board, usually there’s space behind the upper cabinet for the air flow.

Otherwise you’re sitting the fridge over the kick board which looks messy and will conflict visually with the oven beside it.

At this stage I’d be looking at an integrated microwave too above the oven as they’re brilliant for saving worktop space, plus microwaves are like a magnet for clutter.

colm_mcm

Oops, just spotted your microwave thread!

the14thwarrior

really depends on your fridge needs and visual / need to look streamlined.
integrated will look nicer.
they are smaller.
if your fridge needs are high, don't bother, get a kick ass bigger one.

free standing are quite bigger, with more options internally and you have better choices.
you will probably have to take out the kickboard out.

and don't put a microwave on top of the oven.
accident waiting to happen.

mickdw

Integrated are a thing of the past in all the new builds im involved with.
Its generally 900 wide american style fridges going.
In your situation, id get the kitchen adjusted if possible to get rid of integrated setup.
I look to install integrated dish washer but yours is possibly setup for non integrated.

colm_mcm

But the fridge is up against the wall.. it’s a bit late to redesign the kitchen just because there’s a new fad

mickdw

He doesn't have to go full American style but he could get a narrower free standing if it fits without too much alteration.
You can get them for 600 opening.
There is also abit of a filler piece against the wall there if space was needed.

The Red Ace

albernazj93 wrote: »

Yeah, I was thinking on removing the doors and fitting the fridge in there like in the attachment (I know my editing skills suck)


Not sure if it would look nice or better just going with an integrated one...

that cabinet is made for an integrated 60/40 unit, the unit will only be 550 wide, 600 wide will not fit. Also if you put a 550 wide free standing in there it will tend to move around as you cannot anchor it like the integrated cabinet

colm_mcm

Plus there will be a big gap above the fridge

Marcusm

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’m saying integrated because it will look way better and you already have the doors up.
You will need to add a vent to the kick board, usually there’s space behind the upper cabinet for the air flow.

Otherwise you’re sitting the fridge over the kick board which looks messy and will conflict visually with the oven beside it.

At this stage I’d be looking at an integrated microwave too above the oven as they’re brilliant for saving worktop space, plus microwaves are like a magnet for clutter.

I'll modify Colm's suggestion. Personally, I think integrated frdges are useless - the compromise in capacity is too much whn balanced against the visual enhancement. THe integrated microwave idea is a good one but with the current layout, it would be placed too high. So...

Go back to builder or kitchen company and ask them to replace the double unit with a single oven stack including space for integrated oven/microwave at usable heights. Place the freestanding fridge to the left with left hanging doors. Measure carefully make sure you get the best one. Ask the builder/kitchen company if they can extend the pelmet across the fridge with an end piece so the visual impact is maximised. Best of both worlds.

colm_mcm

I think those units aren’t as tall as they’d look at first glance. Compare top of fridge and top of microwave. I installed a microwave at the that height and there are no issues.

Marcusm

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think those units aren’t as tall as they’d look at first glance. Compare top of fridge and top of microwave. I installed a microwave at the that height and there are no issues.

Gauging it from the ceiling, I would worry from a safety perspective. Minimum ceiling height is about 2.5m and I would guess less than 30cm from ceiling to top of cabinet based on that photo (realistically I’d say about 20cm). Cabinet is maybe 60 deep. I’m 6’5” so it wouldn’t bother me but I woukdn’t like the risk of someone of more average height taking a bowl of boiling water (think veg steamer) out of a microwave at that height safely. Nasty burns might ensue.

Graham

Integrated fridge. Trying to butcher the integrated fridge housing to turn it into some sort of open fridge housing won't look great.

For the oven stack, 600h single oven and a 390/450h integrated microwave above. New door for the top of the oven stack. In this config microwave will be at 1320h which is below shoulder level for most people (1320h = 150plinth, 2 x 285 drawers and 600 oven).

Talk to the builder to ask about alterations. Don't be surprised when they say no, or the kitchen company gives you a price that makes your eyes water.

colm_mcm

Would the kickboard retained under the sink suggest provision for an integrated dishwasher?

Graham

colm_mcm wrote: »

Would the kickboard retained under the sink suggest provision for an integrated dishwasher?

That and the 715 x 595 door that's stashed in the fridge housing would suggest there's the idea of integrating something.

awec

What's the big gap beside the 3 drawers for?

Graham

Ventilation for when homeowner crams a non-integrated fridge into a cupboard

Non smart-ass answer:

I was wondering that myself, trying to workout if that's a water pipe that magically vanished between photo .1 and photo 2

Vegeta

awec wrote: »

What's the big gap beside the 3 drawers for?

If i had to guess, washing machine maybe

awec

Vegeta wrote: »

If i had to guess, washing machine maybe

It looks too small?

Also don't see any plumbing or waste pipe, nor any socket to plug it in.

seamus

awec wrote: »

It looks too small?

Also don't see any plumbing or waste pipe, nor any socket to plug it in.

Nah it's 600mm alright. Plumbing and sockets could be under the other units - waste might go outside beside the fridge rather than out with the sink.

Irish_peppa

Only thing about integrated fridges I found the wooden door and fridge brackets would forever be becoming loose. Yes probably from abuse and people reefing the fridge doors. I do like the aesthetics of integrated but I got a nice black gloss Yank fridge that actually looks quite nice. I wouldnt like looking at a big white Beko fridge in my kitchen. If it looks stylish im cool with it:cool:

albernazj93

Hahaha I got a Beko as it will be hidden

Thanks for the answers guys. I ended up buying an integrated. The integrated ended up being more expensive than the Samsung free standing I wanted

Irish_peppa

albernazj93 wrote: »

Hahaha I got a Beko as it will be hidden

Thanks for the answers guys. I ended up buying an integrated. The integrated ended up being more expensive than the Samsung free standing I wanted

I allways found that bizarre how an integrated fridge was more expensive then free standing