For me, like I’m sure it does for many, mini fridges conjure up images of dorm rooms and garages. Surely there are other spaces a mini fridge makes sense too, right? Small, infrequently used kitchens could certainly benefit from a mini fridge. Or perhaps I just have that thought because I can’t stop daydreaming about the future kitchen remodel at my Grandma’s little country house. Either way it begs the question: Can a mini fridge be stylish?
One of my many side projects that are slowly moving along is the preservation of my Grandma’s country house. Between the house meaning so much to her and to me, it’s important to me to restore it. At least enough for her to be proud of. Every square inch needs to be addressed but I just cannot stop daydreaming about the potentially charm-your-socks-off kitchen.
Not only is it a small space, but we can go a year without visiting. A mini fridge is more cost effective. There’s always the option of a full sized fridge that is only plugged in when the property is being used. But that’s an option for any sized fridge. The advantage of using a mini fridge is that it opens up valuable space.
I think it’ll be important to make use of every opportunity to brighten and lighten the room. The ceilings are very low. Like, I’m not sure if they’re legal even for a 100+ year old building. Using a mini fridge gives me the chance to use as smaller footprint. I just have all these rosey visions of a bustling kitchen. With fresh flowers, quaint linens and laughter over coffee and tea. All of which do not require a large fridge I may add.
But does that answer the question: Can a mini fridge be stylish? No, but I think I’ll answer that below. I’ll share some of the ones I’ve found below and say this: Thank goodness we’ve come so far from the black square box from before.
Apartment Sized
My favorite of the extensive choices when it comes to smaller refrigerators is the apartment sized fridge. It’s the step down from a standard fridge. There’s usually still a freezer and I think it’s important to have one in a fully functional kitchen. I love that there’s just as many styles as a full sized fridge and it seems like there’s even more colors.
Since they’re slimmer and shorter than a standard fridge, there’s options for additional storage. I’ve seen cabinets built above an apartment fridge. For accessibility reasons, I wonder if it’s possible to place the refrigerator atop storage.
Certainly not a problem with the smaller ones but I’ll have to ask a professional about the weight of an apartment sized one. Base cabinets can usually hold up to 600 pounds and a small fridge weighs around 200 pounds so the math say it just may be possible. I’m thinking it would be nice for my grandma to not have to bend as far for the bottom shelves.
Modern Steel 2 Door Magic Chef
Traditional Two Door Mini
Typically when I think of a mini fridge, it’s the black box in the corner of a garage filled with canned drinks. Mini fridges are much more stylish now though! There’s similar modern and retro options like the apartment sized ones. Of course I have to think about those ones too.
Those traditional cuboid shaped mini fridges can be pretty great. I love how they can be designed into cabinetry. Built into a wall of cabinetry or lowers, either way looks polished. That’s another option I’m considering.
Any appliance in a retro style is naturally my favorite. But even the more traditional styled refrigerators are attractive. Functionality is ultimately the more important factor when choosing a fridge. I think we can all agree that it’s more enjoyable to be in a room that we find aesthetically pleasing.
Ultimately I’ll have so much to share before even buying a fridge. The process of choosing appliances is such a fun part of the design process though. It can’t be helped but to wonder if a mini fridge will be stylish.
