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What is a Counter Depth Refrigerator?

by Angela Maple

woman putting produce into the counter depth fridge

At a Glance:

Counter Depth Refrigerator 101

Counter Depth Refrigerator vs. Standard Refrigerator  

Top Picks: Counter Depth Refrigerator Edition

Is a Counter-Depth Refrigerator Best for You?

Why Trust Us?

Do you desire a counter-depth refrigerator to give your kitchen a sleek, upscale appearance? You've arrived at the proper location. This article will examine some of BlvdHome's top counter-depth refrigerators.

Let's begin with a quick explanation of counter-depth refrigerators and their potential uses. After that, we'll review our top counter-depth refrigerators, so you can choose the one that best suits your requirements.

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Counter Depth Refrigerators

Counter Depth Refrigerator 101

To begin learning everything there is to know about counter depth refrigerators, let us first answer the question, "What is a counter depth refrigerator?"

A counter depth refrigerator will take up less space on the floor than a full depth refrigerator, allowing for more movement in this busy area of your home. Counter depth refrigerators are, by definition, in line with the expanding depth of your cabinetry for slick design lines! You will notice a smoother transition from the cabinetry and appliances in addition to a counter-depth refrigerator blending elegantly alongside your kitchen cabinets at the same level of depth.

Counter-depth refrigerators typically have a depth of 24 to 31 inches (without extensions or access points) and a storage volume of about 22 cubic feet. The typical height ranges from 60 to 79 inches, while the typical width ranges from 22 to 36 inches!

Counter-depth refrigerators with French doors for support are one example of a feature variation, though many only have one door. You can choose between freezer compartments at the top or bottom of the appliance. Counter-depth refrigerators come in a variety of designs, so you can pick one that complements your kitchen and your personal style. Additionally, certain models may come with side-by-side refrigerators.

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Counter Depth Refrigerator Dimensions

Think about the models we sell if you're looking for a counter depth refrigerator with the smallest depth and width possible; they are only 22 inches wide. Average depths for counter-depth refrigerators range from 25 to 26 inches. From the aforementioned data, larger models can generate even more extreme measurement variations.

Since a 24-inch-deep kitchen counter is the industry standard, having a refrigerator that is narrower can produce some amazing aesthetic effects. Appliance manufacturers started experimenting with different depths after WWII when builders and home improvement companies started standardizing kitchen counter depths to allow alignment and coherence of the interior design aesthetic.

Even though there is no set measurement, you can generally anticipate counter depth refrigerators to be close to 28 inches deep. Manufacturer product specification sheets can be inaccurate, so be sure to measure carefully in our showroom or when shipping after arrival. When planning your installation, leave at least 2-8 inches of space behind the unit to accommodate the plug and allow for adequate ventilation.

Counter Depth Refrigerator vs. Standard Refrigerator 

With a depth of 24 to 25 inches, counter-depth refrigerators are about as deep as standard kitchen counters. Unlike counter-depth refrigerators, which are almost flush with counters and cabinets, standard depth refrigerators are typically 30-36 inches deep and can protrude half a foot or more past countertops.

Although depth is the primary difference between the two, counter depth refrigerators can also be a few inches wider or taller than standard refrigerators. A more streamlined design with a capacity comparable to a regular refrigerator can be achieved with this added width or height, which can make up for the lost depth. 

Top Picks: Counter Depth Refrigerator Edition

To help you choose your next refrigerator a little more easily after that flood of information, we'd like to introduce our carefully curated selection of counter depth refrigerators from our BlvdHome experts.

Counter Depth Bottom Freezer Refrigerator: KitchenAid® 23.8 Cu. Ft. Black Stainless Steel with PrintShield™ Finish Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator

KitchenAid® 23.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel with PrintShield™ Finish Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator

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This KitchenAid counter-depth refrigerator will elegantly fit into your contemporary, modern, or even industrial kitchen design if you enjoy stainless steel finishes. To accommodate all of your food storage needs, this large capacity refrigerator has 23.8 cubic feet, which houses FreshSeal crispers, slide-away shelving, a self-close freezer drawer, and more. Thanks to features like the under-shelf prep zone and the self-close pull-out tray, you'll have plenty of space for your fruit platters and additional shelving to let your homemade bread dough set or steak marinate in your special sauce.

Moreover, with systems like Preserva food care, your food will be preserved with two independent cooling structures to prevent the majority of temperature fluctuations without the intrusive humming of the system.

Features:

  • 28.3 cu. ft. capacity
  • Under-shelf prep zone
  • FreshSeal herb storage

KitchenAid Counter Depth Refrigerator Reviews

Counter Depth Side By Side Refrigerator: Frigidaire® 18.8 Cu. Ft. Brushed Steel Counter Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator

Frigidaire® 18.8 Cu. Ft. Brushed Steel Counter Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator

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If fancy features aren't your thing, you'll appreciate how this Frigidaire counter-depth refrigerator keeps things straightforward while excelling at refrigeration organization. With 18.8 cubic feet of storage space and accessories like clear door bins, crisper drawers, and adjustable glass shelves, you can easily organize your fresh food, leftovers, snacks, and frozen goods. The best part is that while you and your family are away, your fridge will use less power thanks to vacation mode, saving you money and energy.

Features: 

  • 18.8 cu. ft. capacity 
  • Vacation mode control 
  • Adjustable glass shelves 

Frigidaire Counter Depth Refrigerator Reviews

French Door Counter Depth Refrigerator: LG 22.1 Cu. Ft. PrintProof™ Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator

LG 22.1 Cu. Ft. PrintProof™ Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator

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With this LG counter depth French door refrigerator, our top choice overall, you can store more groceries. There is nothing more convenient than having food on hand when you need it, and thanks to the generous 22.1 cu. ft. of storage space, you will have plenty of room for both of these needs and more. This counter-depth refrigerator will fit flush with your countertop for a more streamlined kitchen design. To ensure your refrigerator lasts as long as possible, you can also use the ThinQ app to monitor it remotely and receive maintenance advice. The dual ice makers in this LG's freezer and door ensure that you'll never run out of ice for your coffee, cocktails, or sodas.

Features:  

  • 22.1 Cu. Ft. capacity 
  • ThinQ Technology
  • PrintProof Finish

LG Counter Depth Refrigerator Reviews

Is a Counter-Depth Refrigerator Best for You?

The goal of choosing a counter-depth refrigerator is to have a more streamlined appearance, which is already very attractive. All refrigerator models, including French door, side-by-side, bottom freezer, or top freezer, are compatible with this design. When installing a new refrigerator, you may consider the fact that they are occasionally higher and typically wider than traditional depth models of the same capacity.

Although the counter-depth design is a very popular choice, you should consider this refrigerator model's advantages and limitations since it will be an investment in a long-term appliance. Also, keep in mind that a counter-depth refrigerator's door and handle will both protrude slightly from the edge of the counter, so depth measurements may not include them.

The Benefits

  • A look that is simpler. A counter-depth refrigerator is a popular choice simply because it gives the kitchen a more unified appearance. The refrigerator does not extend past the counter by more than a few inches.
  • Easier access to the contents. It is much simpler to locate and get items out of a counter-depth refrigerator. It doesn't call for as much bending. The freezer section is the same as well. Additionally, you'll value having easier access to clean your refrigerator.
  • Less traffic congestion; improved traffic flow. When a refrigerator has standard depth, it will be deeper than the adjacent counter and cabinets and occasionally protrude into the main traffic area, which can lead to a sort of traffic bottleneck in that kitchen area.
  • Unique storage options: Since a counter-depth model will be wider than a standard depth unit of the same capacity, sometimes it is possible to store wide cold cut trays in it, which may not be possible with a narrower fridge. The same is true of longer door bins that might be simpler to access and organize.
  • It will be much simpler to access the entire interior of a bottom freezer with a door access if you choose a traditional-style refrigerator. Additionally, a pull-out bottom freezer drawer will be shorter in depth, which is much more convenient in terms of the space needed to open it.

The Trade-Off

  • A 25-inch counter-depth refrigerator will be wider than a standard-depth model for a given capacity. It may be necessary to consider a smaller capacity to fit within the available space if you're replacing an existing standard-depth fridge with a counter-depth model.
  • Drawers like crispers and deli compartments are shorter, but access is better. That has an impact on how long items like celery, plastic storage containers, or trays should be stored in these areas.
  • Less is held in freezer compartments. Expect less capacity, whether the freezer is a top mount or bottom drawer. Foods that are available frozen, though, are easier to access.
  • For a wider design, the single door swing will need more space.

A counter-depth model is a great choice if you want a refrigerator that will blend in with your kitchen counters rather than stand out. These refrigerators are usually much narrower than regular refrigerators, making them perfect for smaller kitchens. Although many counter-depth refrigerators are available, the top choices are highlighted in the list above. Visit BlvdHome today to browse our selection of counter depth refrigerators for the top brands, designs, and features if you're considering your options for counter depth appliances.

Refrigerator Style Infographic

Why Trust BlvdHome?

The roots of this family business began as early as the pioneer settlement of Southern Utah. One descendant of those 1861 pioneers was Lester Wittwer. In 1928, he started a trucking business with other family members, delivering homegrown fruits and vegetables to many outlying areas. The story of BlvdHome began in 1974, when Lester's son Tony decided to venture off into the furniture world - with two full-time employees and a small showroom of only 8,000 square feet. Today, BlvdHome has 4 retail locations with over 160,000 sq. ft. of showroom space, located in St. George, Utah, Hurricane, Utah, Cedar City, Utah, Mesquite, Nevada, and a new Las Vegas store coming soon. With over 230 amazing team members, Blvd Homes continues to deliver on a commitment to customer service that started over 90 years ago.

Shop Counter Depth Refrigerators at BlvdHome

At BlvdHome, we provide quality name-brand appliances, furniture, and mattresses for great prices. Shop refrigerators online or visit us today at one of our locations in Utah or Nevada. In the meantime, browse our website to shop BlvdHome Bargain Barn and check out our flooring selections to increase your home value. More available than ever, our experts at BlvdHome are always happy to help you discover more about your future counter depth refrigerator, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Contact us today!

Learn More: How to Clean and Maintain Your Refrigerator