You can design your kitchen more harmoniously and gain additional space in the room by integrating a refrigerator into the kitchen unit. A free-standing refrigerator takes up extra space in the room and does not always fit with the overall design of the kitchen. And if the equipment is built into a furniture set, the room will look much more aesthetically pleasing and spacious.
Built-in refrigerator in the interior of a classic kitchen in a studio apartment
Space saving
Small built-in refrigerators are often located under the kitchen countertop
You can only gain additional space in the kitchen with the help of special built-in refrigerator models. They are more compact, economical, quiet and, compared to conventional refrigerators, are better suited for installation in modern kitchen furniture.
Narrow built-in refrigerator in the interior of a small kitchen
If you want to free up more space in the room, then installing a regular refrigerator in a closet will not get the expected result. Conventional appliances are larger in size than built-in appliances. If you add the size of a cabinet to the volume of a simple refrigerator, it will take up even more space. If you build a regular model into a closet, it will only perform decorative functions, but will not save additional space.
To build a refrigerator, you first need to decide on a place; it is important to consider not only the size, but also the type of refrigerator
Placement
Before purchasing, you need to decide where exactly the cabinet for the built-in refrigerator will be located. For example, mini-models are most often placed at the edge of the kitchen unit, by the window, under the table, etc. Large equipment is often allocated a niche in the kitchen (for example, the space between the columns). In this case, you need to be extremely careful about the dimensions of the case.
There are also several requirements for placement that must be met:
- You cannot place built-in appliances next to heating equipment: oven, radiator, etc.;
- wires leading to the refrigerator must be grounded;
- There should be at least 9 cm between the back wall of the cabinet and the kitchen wall.
Installing a built-in refrigerator in a cabinet
Built-in refrigerators differ from ordinary ones in that they do not have an external decorative panel.
A small built-in model, up to 80 cm in height, can be rationally placed under the work area or tabletop. The internal capacity of this equipment is designed for approximately 90-150 liters. If this volume is not enough, then you can install a large two-chamber refrigeration unit or two small ones. The option with two small refrigerators built under the countertop is very original and practical.
Small built-in refrigerator and freezer under the countertop
Tall two-chamber models are usually installed at the edge of the furniture structure; sometimes they can become a corner part of the set. In order to assemble furniture and install a built-in refrigerator, it is better to turn to professionals. This will avoid difficulties and save your own time. In principle, you can install it yourself, the main thing is to follow the correct recommendations.
Convenient column cabinets allow you to hide all your equipment
Required tools and materials
Before making a built-in refrigerator, you need to prepare accessories and tools :
- a sufficient amount of selected material;
- handles and awnings;
- metal corners;
- pencil and tape measure;
- screws and nails;
- drill;
- Screwdriver Set;
- hammer;
- electric jigsaw or saw.
If necessary, purchase facing material:
- wallpaper;
- self-adhesive film;
- stain;
- varnish;
- paint.
How to integrate a refrigerator into a furniture set yourself
General view of the cabinet for a built-in refrigerator
To work you will need:
- furniture canopies and handles;
- Laminated chipboard and self-adhesive paper edge;
- fasteners and working tools.
Cabinet dimensions for built-in refrigerator
The laminated chipboard from which the cabinet will be made must be in harmony with the kitchen furniture. Built-in models are equipped with a convenient pantograph system, which allows you to easily connect the refrigerator and cabinet doors together. The place where the built-in equipment will be placed must be level so that the finished structure is reliable and stable.
The process of installing a refrigerator in a cabinet
Future furniture should be equipped with a podium and ventilation holes in the bottom. The top panel is designed with a slight indentation from the wall. The back wall of the case is usually absent. Using pre-taken measurements, elements for the future cabinet are cut out. It is more convenient to do this with a jigsaw; in this case, the cut areas will be smoother and neater. The resulting parts are connected to each other with screws. The cut areas are masked with a paper edge.
Installation of facades on a built-in refrigerator is carried out in two fastening methods: fittings and fixed fasteners with a hinge system
When installing the cabinet on the prepared area, you need to use a water level and make sure that the structure is level. For the power cord, you will need to make a hole in the side wall of the case, if necessary. After which you can begin installing the refrigerator into the manufactured structure. It is best to place the wiring at the back of the headset or hide it under the floor covering, covering the wires with a special threshold for safety purposes.
If the cabinet front is attached to the refrigerator door, special hinges are used for fastening
Finally, you should secure the doors to the refrigerator. Built-in models are equipped with a door hinge system. The hinge system is a little more difficult to work with than others. This must be taken into account before choosing a specific unit of refrigeration equipment.
Fastenings for refrigerator facades
Some manufacturers offer built-in refrigerators with transparent doors. Such models look very original and impressive. It is not necessary to attach laminated chipboard doors to them; they look amazing without it.
Refrigerator model with transparent doors, built under the island countertop
Fake a Built-in Refrigerator with Home Decor
Those who know how to draw well can change the appearance of the unit using a brush and paints . The unit will become unrecognizable if you use a stencil, using it to create a picturesque pattern or ornament. Before you start painting, wipe the surface of the refrigerator with white spirit and coat it with a primer. The drawing is covered with transparent varnish.
You can use paints in cans that spread evenly on the surface of the refrigerator. They are applied in several layers. Many people prefer paint to match the kitchen unit. If the device has two colors, then use paints of two colors. If you have furniture with a black bottom and a white top, a refrigerator with a black bottom door and a white top door looks good. Before painting, the surface is wiped with white spirit and coated with a primer.
In some interiors, a refrigerator with a chalk magnetic board attached to it looks great. This kind of decor is beneficial. You can draw and write reminders on it.
How to install a regular refrigerator in a closet
Installation options for built-in and conventional refrigerator models
You can make a suitable case for a regular refrigerator in a similar way. The only thing that creates significant inconvenience is the lack of a hinged door system. Also, the cabinet itself will be much larger in size than in the case of built-in appliances. The design does not provide a bottom, since conventional models must stand on the floor. As a result, there is a risk that the housing may become shaky and unstable. The cabinet and refrigerator doors can be combined with construction adhesive. The main thing is that the hinges can withstand such a load.
Cabinet for a three-chamber conventional refrigerator
In general, installing a regular refrigerator in a closet is much more difficult. In this case, it is possible to waste a lot of time, effort, and nerves and not get the expected effect. Just in case, it's better not to take risks.
In order for the facades to open simultaneously with the refrigerator doors, you can install ball guides
Experts recommend having either a free-standing refrigerator in the kitchen or having specially designed appliances built into the kitchen furniture.
Two large refrigerators installed in a spacious room
Advantages of built-in refrigerators:
- efficiency;
- noiselessness;
- good capacity;
- ideal microclimate for food storage;
- affordable price.
Built-in refrigerators are ideal for installation in kitchen units. They work very quietly, do not hum, do not rattle like conventional refrigerators. Built-in devices have an innovative zero chamber with optimal temperature and humidity, which allows you to store products longer in the most comfortable conditions.
Large two-chamber refrigerator hidden in a cabinet in a niche in the kitchen
Such refrigerators will take up significantly less space in the room, but they are designed in such a way that, despite their compactness, they have sufficient capacity. Built-in models have the same cost as regular ones, so they are quite affordable for every buyer.
Miniature refrigerator in a kitchen cabinet for a small studio apartment
Collection of pencil case
If it is not possible to cut chipboard yourself, it is better to turn to a professional. Moreover, companies that work with fiberboard also install the box. But if you want to do it yourself, collecting the pencil case proceeds as follows:
- Spacers, vertical posts and a cover are installed.
- The base is attached.
- The first fitting of the “pencil case” takes place. For convenience, it is recommended to drill a hole for the power cord. For greater stability, attach the box to the wall at the corners. The structure will become “more grounded” and will not wobble.
Facades are hung at the last minute. When installing a refrigerator, sometimes you have to slightly change the design or location of the box. Therefore, if you hang the facades in advance, the whole design may go down the drain.
But it is recommended to tighten the hinges with screwdrivers at the very beginning of work, so that you can understand how to install the doors correctly.
Read: What is and how the No Frost system works - 5 advantages of No Frost refrigerators with automatic defrosting
