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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!
I DO occasionally enjoy a souvenir magnet on mine.
Me too! I actually love kitchens with interesting things on the fridge.
Having said that, I’m thinking of buying a Mitsubishi Electric fridge, just for the looks as my fridge is on its last legs (although compared to the magnificent specimens above it’s not at all a statement fridge!). Biggest drawback is that it’s not magnetic.
Oh I totally agree. I have never minded seeing a fridge. In fact, I kind of prefer it to fully integrated? I like knowing where my appliances are ha!
Same. I don’t understand the impulse to disguise all the kitcheny parts of a kitchen. What are we trying to pass it off as anyway, a spare room with lots of counter space for crafting? And why the subterfuge? Should I be ashamed of having a kitchen? I think simple, elegant and utilitarian kitchens are the most timeless. These ideas are interesting and I appreciate the round-up though!
Wow, the armoire refrigerators are in a class by themselves. Stunning!
Yes they truly are. It’s such a creative direction!
So fun! I do love the look of the armoire fridges, and I think they “work” in these examples because of the layout. I am always dreaming about changing my kitchen (everything from small cosmetic tweaks to a huge overhaul) so I definitely appreciate this dose of inspiration this morning! Another common thread is that pink was used as the feature color in many of these…perhaps another trend?
In my kitchen form has to follow function. Has anyone reading this owned one of these handsome refrigerators? If so, can you comment on how well it performs?
While I don’t have the specific model shown above, I can tell you that I’ll be sticking to Samsung for electronics only moving forward.
When we purchased our new construction house in 2019, it came with a suite of Samsung kitchen appliances. We have already had to replace the range/oven and the dishwasher this year, and have chronic issues with the “through the door” icemaker freezing up on the fridge/freezer. I would not recommend the Samsung brand for kitchen appliances, based on our real-life experience.
Agree completely. I bought a beautiful looking Samsung Fridge and gas range 6 years ago. The oven had 2 major repairs just after the one year warranty. It worked okay after that. But the fridge was awful. It would freeze up because of the ice maker and then would heat up. We quit using the ice maker and it still happened every 6 months or so. Finally we gave up and replaced them both. Only 5 years old.
Agreed! I have had two awful experiences with Samsung appliances (fridge and washer) and will NEVER consider them for appliances again. The amount of time I lost to fighting with them over what was clearly a warranty issue is astonishing and their customer service was absolutely the worst. I’ve been wanting a Frame-like TV but I can’t bring myself to give them any of my money. I recently heard about the Hisense version though and will be looking into that.
Kelly P, did you see the TV that Mallory used in her living room reveal? The TCL 65” Class Smart Frame with Flush Wall Mount. Search for
MOTO REVEAL: How Mallory Made Her Boring Living Room Feel Homey In Just One Month
stylebyemilyhenderson.com/mallorys-rental-apartment-living-room-transformation
I have owned a Viking and two SubZeros. The Viking was awful, constantly breaking or not holding temp correctly, and I couldn’t wait for it to die. The SubZeros are insanely expensive but I guess, so are the other beautiful fridges in this post. I have to say they have been absolute tanks. I’ve owned the most recent for over a decade and I’ve never had to call a repairman. I don’t think I’ll change brands for this reason alone. I have a couple friends with Smeg who adore the cute looks but find it repair prone but I haven’t owned one myself.
I “inherited” a Fisher & Paykal refrigerator that was left by the previous owners of my home and it’s still going strong—it was installed in 2007, so has been almost 20 years. I think it helps that it doesn’t have any fussy parts—no ice maker, no water dispenser, certainly no “smart” anything, nothing that can break easily. I’m a person who tends to buy the cheapest option, so it’s been a good reminder of the value of paying a bit more for higher quality. (And don’t forget to clean your coils!)
I love the look of the armoire fridges, especially with fridge-adjacent storage built in! Like a food command center! But, how do you pull them out to vacuum the coils and clean underneath? (dog hair and dust are my nemeses)
Wow I haven’t thought about this. I don’t have pets, but I do know that you are supposed to clean your fridge coils (and I never do).
Wait, what? Why have I never heard of this before? In all my life I’ve never heard of fridge coils, far less have I cleaned them. How can this be a thing and I’ve never known about it. Just googled to find out what it was!!!!
Most newer fridges don’t need their coils cleaned any more, although a few do. I can’t seem to post a link here, but if you google the article from Wirecutter on cleaning fridge coils it may ease your mind.
I wish they would make more true counter depth fridges, especially for us small kitchen folks. Fridges stick out so much when not counter depth.
I have a counter depth fridge that also happens to not be standard 36″ width. It was a MISSION to find this thing.
For real. Do you mind sharing what it is?
I was perusing appliances recently and saw that LG is now offering “zero clearance” fridges. It looks like a more streamlined version of their counter depth fridges but I haven’t looked closely at the design and specs on them.
I’m designing a new kitchen in an old house (1880s) and going in the opposite direction: choosing a small, plain fridge so it’s an unobtrusive as possible and basically becomes invisible. I don’t have the space or budget for a built-in or one of the more design-y options like the Smeg or Samsung (both of which have pretty mediocre reviews too).
Like KD said, I don’t mind a fridge that looks like a fridge. The kitchen is a utilitarian space, and that’s not a bad thing!
Wow!! Some of these are quite stunning and others I’m having a strong and not entirely favorable response to (😆), which is always an invitation to turn inward and explore why. Definitely fun, though!! Can’t deny that.
Ha! I wish I knew the ones that made you wince.
I also don’t mind a fridge being a fridge. But could appliance makers please stop making bow-handled appliances? They are not attractive. Also, I was shocked at the ugly dishwashers currently available: appliance makers now skip the handles and use cheap looking inset “gashes” instead. I can’t even explain it, it is so odd looking.
Yes, they are trying to sell them as “Pocket Handle” dishwashers. The manufacturers are saving a fortune with the design (and definitely NOT passing the savings on to consumers).
This is quite fascinating. Not sure I’d be able to commit, but so pretty to look at all of the options! We are building right now, looking at appliances, etc., and I’ve come across fridge magnet covers. We are seriously considering trying them out, although I haven’t seen any in ‘real life’. It does seem like an easy, noncommittal way to bring a little humor or beauty into the space (especially since you can do custom using you’re own art/photo)… We’ll see!
Can I add Racheal Jackson’s DIY fridge to the mix? I love what she did with 2 slightly mismatched units in her kitchen. I can’t post links here – but if you check out her Instagram @banyanbridges look for the large colourful plaid in her kitchen.
I was coming down here to say the same! I love how she made her fridges her own and didn’t spend a fortune. But I love basically everything she does, including Emily’s barn mural.
What a great round up! And that third category – wowwwwwwww! Love love love!
Also, I really do like this blog so much – I love that there’s a post about statement fridges being an exciting kitchen trend! I will likely never have one, but I think it’s so great that they exist and thank you for sharing
Fun to look at! So many fun ideas I would have never dreamed of!
The custom colored ones reminded me of what I saw at the International Builders Show early this year- lots and lots of custom colors for everything, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. I believe it was Samsung who had an unreleased fridge where you can change the colors of each of the 4 panels, like with an app (they light up with the colors).
For bathrooms- sink basins, faucets, shower heads, toilets, etc were in different colors. at almost every single display!
I am thinking it’s aimed at the color-drench trend? I don’t think most of the products are released yet, but I wonder if they are truly ahead of the design trends or not…