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Kitchen Trend Alert: Is The “Statement” Fridge The New Statement Range?
First came stainless steel high-end ranges (think Wolf and Viking) in luxury kitchens. Then came the UK and European imports such as Bertazzoni, AGA, La Cornue, and Lacanche. These pastel- and jewel-toned beauties, which can be priced anywhere from $7,000 upwards of $25,000 (or more depending on size), have been the crown jewel of the custom kitchen for the better part of a decade. This kitchen trend is what I call the “statement range,” due to the fact that in a space where all other appliances are meant to be hidden behind cabinet panels, these are poised to be anything but meek and concealed.
Robin’s egg blue, burgundy (like Shavonda Gardner’s gorgeous kitchen above), black and brass (below, by U.S. company Big Chill), and beyond, these ranges have left both an impact on the design of our cookeries, and elevated our tolerance for risk-taking styles in a room that often shies away from breaking too far away from the safe crowd, mostly because it’s wildly expensive to correct if their freshness grows stale.
The gateway drug of a character-filled kitchen, statement ranges have opened the door for the statement fridge, which is perhaps one of the most exciting kitchen trends of the past year or two, imho. It’s interesting to see how this giant, necessary appliance has transformed from being as discrete as possible to stealing the stage.
While digging around for images to showcase and talk through here, I noticed three distinct “types” of statement fridges, each serving a style and budget range. We have the vintage-style fridge, the modern colorful fridge, and then, what is quickly emerging as a go-to move at the upper end of the spending spectrum, the freestanding furniture-style fridge.
Come with me to explore all three kinds.
The Vintage-Style Statement Fridge
It doesn’t matter where the aesthetic pendulum swings; there will always be those who prefer the nostalgic look of yesteryear (though it just so happens that traditional and cottage design has been very big for a while now). SMEG and Big Chill have ruled this market on the mainstream level for years and years, and for good reason: They are just so stinking cute. For color lovers, they are like a siren, hypnotizing us and luring us in with their pistachio greens and buttery yellows. For those that prefer something warm and neutral but not the same-same of everyone else, there’s creamy off-whites and blacks.
A black French door fridge with chunky brass hardware—by Big Chill Appliances—stands out in the classic kitchen of Amy Bowen of Porch and Vine. I think this color combo is a nice way to bring in a chiller of this style without it feeling cemented in any era.
Same fridge, different color, very different vibe. Sunday Supper Club Creative designed the wildly unique kitchen of Bri Emery of DesignLoveFest. I love the color blocking of the mint cabinetry next to the pistachio appliance so that it stands out and has its moment without too much contrast.
Here’s a very classic-looking fridge, again by Big Chill, in a lovely dark green. The chrome is a nice change from all the brass we’ve seen in our kitchens for 10-plus years. Of course, something this size isn’t sensible for most of us as a main fridge unless you live alone or don’t cook much, but it’s a fun option for a secondary fridge if you have a home with that square footage.
We love a cream SMEG around these parts (just ask Jess or Mallory). I especially like how it looks with warm, taupe cabinetry and rich wood tones, like in the kitchen above by Living a Wilder Life. This design of fridge works well for anyone who doesn’t want to burn counter space with a wide 36-inch fridge but still wants to set a vibe.
The Colorful Statement Fridge
Not after a fridge that looks like it could have held your jello mold for the neighborhood moon landing watch party? (Obviously, I’m saying that in jest because I love them.) Enter the modern colorful statement fridge.
Admittedly, I have never seen a commercial-style fridge like this one from True (or Sub-Zero, etc.) in any other color but stainless, so this was a surprise to me. But turns out, they exist! True can actually custom color-match any color you want, which I’m assuming is their answer to blending in with cabinetry, as these aren’t panel-ready friendly. But on the flip side, you can also pick a completely different color to have a little fun.
I know red and yellow can give serious Ronald McDonald vibes, but I do love a soft, mellow yellow paired with a warm brick red, like in this little pantry above by Logan Killen Interiors.
At Home with Ashley customized her Samsung Bespoke fridge with glossy blush panels. The nice thing about this specific fridge is that you can change the panels at any point if you want to swap out colors and finishes. While it’s still an expense, it’s easier to take a risk like having a pink appliance when you know you can walk it back fairly easily.
The “Undercover” Freestanding Cabinet Statement Fridge
Now we get to the new new of this category: The hidden-but-not-really fridge that’s so in your face, it doesn’t actually look like a fridge at all, but rather a giant armoire. And anyone who knows my writing knows how much I love an armoire.
The above and below images are all maybe overkill in that there are four photos, but I just wanted to show all aspects of its design (by Guild Anderson out of the UK). It’s so clever to have a fridge, freezer, and some cupboard/pantry storage all in one spot. The amount of walking I do in my fairly small kitchen between the fridge, my counters, back again, over to the pantry cabinet, back to the fridge…it’s pretty genius, or at the least very interesting to talk about.
It’s the only one I’ve ever seen made to look like it has glass doors with a fabric curtain. It’s very much hidden, but what a statement!
Here’s a smaller design by the same company (above). And now that I’m looking at it further, something like this, though custom and likely costly, is a great solution for a space where the refrigerator works best off to the side or on a free wall that doesn’t contain cabinetry.
This custom freestanding fridge and cupboard situation was cooked up by Blockhouse Build for Matilda Goad. It has both a retro feel with the exposed door hinges, but also “now” with its rounded design.
This gorgeous hand-painted piece, in the home of The House That Lars Built, may be one of the first of its kind I’ve ever seen. Anyone would be lucky to have a cabinet this beautiful, let alone it being their FRIDGE!
You can’t see the whole kitchen above (obviously), but it’s quite symmetrical, with another large built-in just like the one seen above on the other side. One is cabinetry, the other (this one, I believe) is the fridge and freezer. Sure, this is just the next evolution of integrated fridges, but the addition of decorative molding makes such an impact.
Even with lower ceilings, the armoire-esque fridge is stately and works. Vaughn Design & Development shared that they were looking to “hide” their fridge by actually making it stand out as a freestanding cabinet. Like hiding in plain sight.
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That’s all I have for us today. I’m always intrigued by a design idea that takes a utilitarian item and makes it into the star of the room by thinking creatively (or just adding color). What do you think about this? Do you ever see yourself breaking from the panel-ready integrated look for something like a statement fridge? Which version is most interesting to you?
Until next time, friends…
Opening Image Credits: Design by Nick Anderson for Guild Anderson | Photo by Mark Bolton
All of these are such lovely options. What a roundup!
That said, I may be in the minority here, but I really don’t mind a fridge that looks like a fridge.
Same. With the right fridge size and finish for a kitchen, my eye just looks past it. It has never been a stopping point. But different strokes for different folks! I can see where an artistic person may feel very differently and maybe inspired by these creative ones!