A two-door refrigerator is an excellent solution for private homes and spacious kitchens. A large family will appreciate the spaciousness and functionality of this modern invention. No more compacting food on shelves or placing it directly on pot lids. Each type of food will have its own separate space, thereby improving the safety of the contents of the chamber.
Double door refrigerator in a white kitchen
Large double door refrigerator
Black double door refrigerator
Where to put a refrigerator in the kitchen without spoiling the interior
The interior of the kitchen can be designed in any theme, but, most importantly, it should be multifunctional and comfortable for all family members.
A large number of dishes, necessary items and, most importantly, household appliances make this task difficult, especially in small rooms. The most common options for arranging furniture and household appliances in the kitchen are:
- Linear arrangement. Better suited for a spacious kitchen. In this case, the refrigerator can either be a separate element, standing in any convenient place, or be built into a furniture set.
- Corner location. Ideal for small spaces. In this option, the refrigerator is installed at the entrance to the kitchen.
- Balanced arrangement. An excellent option for a large kitchen. The main thing in this arrangement is to choose furniture (for example, a sideboard or a pencil case) of the same size as the refrigerator. A hob and work surfaces are usually installed in the middle, and bulkier items are placed at the edges.
When arranging furniture in the kitchen, do not forget about the three main zones: sink, hob, refrigerator. The distance between the sink and the stove should not exceed one and a half meters and they should preferably be on the same line. The refrigerator can be installed against the opposite wall, but it also cannot stand more than one and a half meters from the other two zones.
Chairs in the kitchen interior. Design solutions, see here
It is also necessary to take into account:
- shape of the room;
- kitchen dimensions;
- ceiling height;
- window size;
- availability of access to the loggia;
- combination with another room and so on.
Many experts believe that it is necessary to start designing a kitchen interior with the refrigerator, namely, with its location and its appearance.
Cooling system
Most often in such refrigerators there is a “No Frost” cooling system, which involves the presence of one compressor. This is good, because this reduces the price of the unit. For example, Samsung equips its refrigerators only with a dry cooling system, explaining this by greater efficiency, because air circulation occurs constantly. An undeniable advantage of the “No Frost” system is that there is no need to defrost the chamber. Condensation accumulates in special compartments and evaporates. Dry freezing allows you to freeze semi-finished products faster without sticking.
Economical consumption of electricity is relevant in the modern world. Double-door refrigerators are a new invention, and therefore require a high energy consumption class, usually not lower than A+.
Double-door refrigerator built into cabinet furniture
Double Door Refrigerator with Ice Making Function
Miele double door refrigerator
Refrigerator in the kitchen interior
In spacious rooms, of course, there is an opportunity to dream up and bring your own ideas to life when arranging furniture. You can, without much thought, place the refrigerator in the place that is pleasant and convenient for you, and also install it in the kitchen unit.
Owners of spacious kitchens have the opportunity to install a large refrigerator with two doors. The main thing is to create a cozy and warm environment and not make the space cold and empty.
An interesting article on how to make a working kitchen table from a window sill - here
In small kitchens, which are found in most apartments, it is somewhat more difficult to position the refrigerator correctly. It is important that it does not interfere, opens well and does not hurt anyone, especially the hostess. To answer the question: where to put a refrigerator in the kitchen, designers offer several ways:
- Use free corners. By installing the refrigerator in the corner of the room, you will be able to move around it freely, and if you select the dimensions of this household appliance to match the overall dimensions of the furniture, then it will not stand out and will blend harmoniously with the overall style of the kitchen.
- Install a refrigerator at the entrance to the kitchen. This option is very appropriate if you want to remove the door altogether and thus delimit the room.
- Separate the refrigerator and freezer. To implement this idea, we recommend using a mini-fridge no larger than a washing machine, which can be placed under the work surface, and the freezer can be hidden in any cabinet, or better yet, placed on a loggia or in a pantry.
- Install a niche for the refrigerator. Even the most inconspicuous refrigerator in a niche will look quite impressive. From the same material, you can make a cabinet above the refrigerator for infrequently used items, which will further save space. However, in this case, it is important to promptly resolve the issue of heat transfer from the radiator (the refrigerator gets very hot on the back side) and connection to the network.
- Combine rooms. If your kitchen has access to a loggia, you are incredibly lucky! Combine these two rooms and place the refrigerator behind the resulting opening.
In order for the refrigeration unit to work for a long time and reliably, when installing it, follow several important recommendations that must be taken into account regardless of the size of the kitchen.
- Firstly, in most refrigerators, heat is removed from the back; therefore, to ensure a minimum (at least 5–10 cm) gap for constant circulation of cooling air, the household appliance is not installed close to the wall. In some modern units, the side walls are also heated, so check the design details when purchasing a refrigerator.
- Secondly, do not install the refrigerator in a confined or sealed space. Temperature differences lead to the formation of wet condensation, which can cause malfunctions and significantly shorten the life of the refrigerator.
- Thirdly, try to install your refrigeration unit away from a gas or electric stove. Do not place the refrigerator closer than 20 cm from a gas boiler for heating water, if you have one in your kitchen.
- Fourthly, do not place equipment near water, splashes may get on the insulation and the unit will fail.
- Fifthly, make a separate outlet for the refrigerator; do not use tees or extension cords.
- Sixth, do not place other household appliances on top of the refrigerator.
So, you have chosen a place for the refrigerator. Now we need to remember that this unit is not just a place for long-term storage of products by cooling and freezing them. The refrigerator in the kitchen interior also plays the role of a decorative element, which should organically fit into the overall mood of the kitchen.
Opening upper cabinets
Swing
This option is considered the most common and affordable. I prefer him.
Folding
If you use folding facades, then you need to provide good fittings for them. Otherwise, the gas lifts will quickly break and you won’t even be able to leave the doors open.
Folding
This option is the most expensive. But also the most beautiful. However, short people are unlikely to like it.
General rules for choosing a place for a refrigerator
When choosing a place to place an electrical household appliance, the presence of a free outlet is important. The optimal distance for its location is up to 10 cm from the floor level. If you frequently experience power outages, additionally install a stabilizer.
IMPORTANT. The refrigerator cannot be connected via an extension cord.
It is not recommended to install the unit next to a wall or other surface. It must be positioned so that there is a free space of 2-3 cm on the sides, and at least 15 cm between the back surface and the wall. These conditions must be met, because The surfaces of the refrigerator must be cooled in a timely manner, otherwise it will lead to malfunction.
When placing the appliance on the same level as other pieces of furniture, make sure that the gap remains at least 10 cm. This will ensure that the door opens freely.
Also pay special attention to the floor covering. Where you plan to install the unit, the floor should be free of cracks and sudden changes. Do not install it on carpet, carpet or other surfaces that easily absorb moisture.
Adjust the height of the refrigerator using the legs. Place the device at a slight angle back, which will ensure that the door closes independently under its own weight, and will also help drain water into a special reservoir.
ADVICE. Special pads on the legs or anti-slip stickers will prevent the body from moving.
Despite the size of the kitchen space, there are places where it is strictly forbidden to place a refrigerator:
- Near an electric, gas stove or heating appliances. A constant temperature difference will not have the best effect on the functioning of the unit.
- In the washing area. Increased humidity levels in the “wet” zone can lead to malfunctions of the device.
- In a place exposed to direct sunlight. Placing the refrigerator in front of a window contributes to overheating, after which it can quickly fail.
The ideal option is to place the refrigerator in the kitchen, close to the cutting area. If dimensions allow, place a small refrigeration device directly under the countertop.
Compressor type
Modern manufacturers offer two-door refrigerators only with an inverter compressor. Thanks to this, there are no sharp temperature fluctuations in the chambers, the noise produced by the mechanism is minimal, and energy consumption is economical. As a rule, such compressors have a long service life. Manufacturers provide a guarantee of at least 10 years. There is one disadvantage of inverter compressors: they are sensitive to changes in network voltage. Serious manufacturers definitely take care of special protection for such refrigerators.
Double door refrigerator with wine compartment
Placing a refrigerator in the kitchen
The ideal place to install a refrigerator in a small apartment or Khrushchev is at the end of the kitchen unit. You should not place the unit at the beginning of the room, because its dimensions will only strengthen the negative perception of a confined space.
As for color, for small rooms it is better to choose white or metallic shades. This will visually expand the space. Owners of large apartments can afford different color options, including designer models.
In a niche
The most optimal option. By installing the cooling unit in a niche, you protect it from direct sunlight, contamination and mechanical damage. At the same time, if space allows, then cabinets and shelves for storage can be placed above it, leaving the necessary gap.
If a niche is not provided for in the layout of the apartment, you can arrange it yourself.
IMPORTANT. Coordinate the placement of this structure with the architect. Sometimes this requires obtaining special permission from government agencies.
How to make a niche for a refrigerator from plasterboard
To make the design you will need:
In order to make a good niche for installing a refrigerator, decide on a place, and then follow the algorithm:
- Level the ceiling and walls if necessary.
- Install the outlet.
- Make a frame of the required size from the profiles so that air circulation is ensured when installing the device.
- Cover it with gypsum board sheets.
- Decorate the niche depending on your preferences.
- Place the refrigerator level.
- Connect to the network.
Built-in two-door assistant
If we are talking about a built-in refrigerator, then it is assumed that the unit will be located in a special niche. The facade will be hidden from view by doors made in the same style as the entire kitchen unit.
Two-door refrigerator in Art Nouveau style
Owners of houses and apartments, for whom every detail in the interior is important, as a rule, choose this type of refrigerator. It is difficult to imagine how the modern doors of an ordinary refrigerator will fit into the Provence style. Therefore, built-in appliances are an excellent option for many interior styles. Moreover, if such a cabinet is planned to be located in an office or hallway.
Double door refrigerator with water compartment
Ideas for placing a refrigerator outside the kitchen
The household appliance does not have to be located in the kitchen. There are quite a few options for its placement. It can also be installed outside the dining room, for example, in the living room, corridor, loggia. However, think through in advance all the nuances of such a solution, as well as the opportunity to create favorable conditions for its functioning.
IMPORTANT. When choosing a location for installation, consider the climate class of the household appliance. The optimal operating temperature level for a particular refrigerator depends on this. Often its value is within +10-31 degrees.
On the loggia
So, if your apartment has a balcony connected to the kitchen, then you can install a refrigeration unit on it. One of the options is to combine a loggia with a kitchen, having previously received technical documentation for this and settled all legal issues. This redevelopment will add space, light and space.
ADVICE. If space allows, you can install a freezer along with the refrigerator.
Under the stairs
You can place the refrigerator under the stairs, especially if it is small.
ADVICE. Take care of the heat sink in advance, otherwise in a confined space the unit will quickly overheat and become unusable.
In the pantry
If your home has a small pantry, then you can use it for a refrigerator. Additionally, you can place shelves there for storing food, then you will have almost all the provisions in one place. Typically, such closets are located near the kitchen, so you won’t have to go far for groceries.
ADVICE. If you dismantle the pantry door, you will get a kind of niche in the wall for the location of the unit.
Chest or closet?
We are used to the fact that a chest freezer is something like this from a supermarket, for ice cream and dumplings. Could there really be a place for this at home? If you have a lot of this space, then yes, because in terms of the main parameters of efficiency, spaciousness, and convenience, chest freezers are superior to their cabinet-like “colleagues,” which are better than chests in only one thing: saving space.
Chest freezers have several advantages. Firstly, the chest door is always tightly closed; it will fit well under its own weight, even if the seal wears out. Secondly, when you open the chest, warm air does not enter it, since according to the laws of physics it tends upward, and when you open the freezer cabinet, the air from it mixes with the warm air of the room. The interior space of modern chest freezers is usually well organized; there is no need to be afraid that you will not see or find something.
Interior space in chest freezer
Where to put a freezer in an apartment
By analogy with a refrigerator, a freezer can be placed on the balcony. It is only important that it be heated, then it will be equivalent to installation in a residential area.
IMPORTANT. In any case, the outlet must be installed in the house due to safety requirements.
In a situation where the loggia is insulated, but there is no heating provided, much depends on the temperature conditions in the given area. Otherwise, in the summer, the freezing unit may quickly fail due to exposure to sunlight. However, this problem can be eliminated by installing, for example, blinds or hanging thick curtains on the windows.
You cannot install a freezer on an open balcony: precipitation will lead to rapid deterioration of the coating and problems with the electrical wiring. In addition, this is contrary to safety regulations, because... Household appliances are prohibited from being installed in an area unprotected from precipitation.
It is prohibited to install freezers inside niches and cabinets in which there is no access to oxygen circulation. In this case, the dimensions to the nearest side surfaces should be more than 5 cm, and the distance from the floor to the bottom wall should be more than 8 cm.
There are not so few options for installing a refrigerator. Even in a small apartment, the device can be correctly positioned, successfully fitting into the interior. At the same time, you can place it either in a standard way - in the kitchen, or in an unusual way, for example, on a balcony.
Sources:
Video: I live in Khrushchevka, and the Kitchen is Small! Where to put the REFRIGERATOR?
Is super freeze mode necessary?
Super freezing, shock freezing is turning on the compressor at increased power approximately 12–24 hours before the planned large purchase-loading of the freezer. The temperature will drop to -24. 36 degrees (depending on the model and time), and a large “influx” of room temperature products will not be able to negatively affect already stored products and will allow “new arrivals” to freeze according to all the rules: quickly and accurately, without going through the slow stage, which is harmful to the structure of the products crystallization. Yes, this is a very useful feature. It is only important that this mode has an automatic shutdown, because if it is turned off manually, then you can forget about it, and then the food will freeze.
Source: www.ferra.ru
Where to put the refrigerator: expert opinion
The refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in the kitchen, and even if you cook and eat food on the day you buy it, you cannot do without a refrigerator. Well, unless you switch entirely to the restaurant menu, although in such cases a piece of cheese lying on the shelf in the refrigerator may unexpectedly come in handy.
Simply put, there should be a refrigerator in the kitchen! But it is very important to place it in such a way that it does not interfere with your being there, is convenient to use and even decorates the interior. We will tell you how to do all this in our article today, and the expert of the portal “From Hand to Hand” Regina Urm and interior designers from the agency “ArchDialog” Kira Shelmanova and Irina Fefelova will help us with this.
Zoning
Modern two-door refrigerators have compartments that provide different temperatures for a specific product. There is often a zero zone in which fresh products are stored for as long as possible, while maintaining all their beneficial properties.
The shelves can be rearranged and the distance changed for specific dishes. As a rule, they are made of glass that can withstand up to 20-25 kg of weight.
Built-in double door refrigerator
Where to put the refrigerator: general rules
Even if you've already carefully mapped out the creative design of your kitchen in your head, take a moment to think about the practicalities, such as the layout of the zones. There are two of them in the kitchen: wet and hot . They are often connected by a work surface to make cooking more ergonomic and less time-consuming.
Now analyze where you want to place the refrigerator: it is generally prohibited to place it next to the oven and hob, especially if you have chosen a high option. It's a good idea to place it close to the cutting table or even under the countertop itself so you don't have to cross the kitchen every time you need to cut something.
“The choice of location for installing a refrigerator is based on general safety rules. So, no matter how miniature the kitchen is, it is necessary to leave a distance of 3-5 cm from the walls to the refrigerator so that air can circulate freely, cooling the surface of the refrigerator. It is also impossible to be close to a gas or electric stove. These precautions guarantee long years of service for the refrigerator.” — K. Sh.
Kitchen size
In modern meter realities, one can only dream of a large kitchen through which you will flutter like a goddess; accordingly, one should always proceed from practical considerations. For a small kitchen, it would be a good idea to place the refrigerator in a niche: this will help it fit well into the interior so that it does not look bulky. Also pay attention to narrow refrigerator models and compact options.
“One of the convenient places to place a refrigerator can be a niche, which is partially located in the room adjacent to the kitchen. For example, in the wall of a dressing room or hall. Then the refrigerator will “sink” without cluttering up the space, and if the niche is illuminated or decorated with decor, then it can also be an original art object.” - RU.
If your kitchen is very tiny, then we advise you not to use a classic tall refrigerator, but to “split” it into two chambers that can be hidden under the countertop. This is also a great idea for those whose freezer is empty most of the time, making it practically useless.
“All items and storage areas should be placed not just like that, but according to the laws of ergonomics. The housewife should not travel kilometers from the refrigerator to the sink or stove - this will make the cooking process long and tedious. If the kitchen is small, the refrigerator is often moved out into the hallway in order to save precious centimeters and not clutter up the space, but this is wrong. Try placing it under the main kitchen countertop, also add a separate freezer next to it, while maintaining both the size of the room and the volume of equipment.” - RU.
What should the freezing power and temperature be?
Most models on the market freeze in standard mode down to -18. 24 degrees is deep freezing. There are models that can freeze down to -12 degrees, this is not enough for long-term storage of meat, fish, poultry, but will not help preserve vitamins in vegetables and fruits. These are, as a rule, domestic inexpensive models with mechanical control and marked “two snowflakes”: * *. Freezers that maintain a temperature of –18 degrees are marked with three snowflakes: * * *. In some models there may be special boxes for storing products of animal origin: there are -24 degrees and another snowflake is added.
Box for fish and meat. It's 24 degrees here
Freezing power is something that we pay little attention to when choosing a refrigerator and freezer, but in vain: it is useful to understand how much food the appliance can freeze per unit of time, so as not to overload it and not put unnecessary strain on the compressor. So, for a useful volume of 80–100 l, a good freezing capacity will be 4–5 kg per day, for an average useful volume of 150 l - 10-11 kg per day, for 180-200 l - 14.5-16 kg per day.
Decor question
If you intend to decorate your kitchen with a single artistic solution, and the appearance of any refrigerator will stand out from the general style, then the built-in option will be the solution. You can hide the refrigerator behind a wooden facade or disguise it so that it “mimics” a wall. Take a look at the photo below - you won’t immediately guess where the cache of food is!
The issue of design largely depends on the space. If the kitchen is large, then you can afford everything, even options for wood or vintage furniture. If the scale leaves much to be desired, then try to disguise your refrigerator as something useful, for example, a slate board. It's so nice to write shopping lists on it and leave angry messages to your household!
“In my “Golden Classic” project, I decided to create uniformity in the kitchen and maintain proportions. To do this, I placed a built-in refrigerator 122 cm high on the left side of the kitchen, and a freezer of the same height on the right. The amazing result of this arrangement is that I got an organic distribution of the heights of the kitchen unit and created a beautiful, stylish interior. In it, our usual perception of cuisine disappears due to the fact that beauty prevails.” — I.F.
With or without “No Frost”?
Freezers with an automatic defrost system do not require manual defrosting, and no one will say that this is a bad thing. There are other objections: “No Frost” reduces the useful volume, models with “No Frost” are noisier (40–43 dB, without “No Frost” - it can be quieter, but not necessarily, it depends on sound insulation and other parameters) . The main argument of opponents of No Frost in refrigerators does not work in the case of freezers: nothing gets frosted in the freezer - everything is packed and packaged.
There are models without a “No Frost” system, but with reduced frost formation and requiring defrosting very rarely, for example, freezers with “Low Frost” systems.
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