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6 ways to customize your refrigerator
Modern kitchens balance style and functionality, and today’s refrigerators are designed to do the same. Whether you want your appliance to blend with custom cabinetry or introduce a statement finish, there are ways to customize your refrigerator’s look and layout through the various features that you can choose from model to model.
Why customize your refrigerator?
Customizing a refrigerator by choosing the details that matter most to you, allows you to create a kitchen that reflects your personal style and supports your daily routine. Personalization choices can include panel-ready designs that align with cabinetry, finishes that coordinate with your kitchen palette or adjustable interiors that adapt to your storage needs.
On some refrigerators, you can tailor both the look and layout to some extent—integrating the appliance into your cabinetry, selecting a finish that complements your space and utilizing available storage options to suit your ingredients. Select KitchenAid® refrigerators offer panel-ready designs, distinctive finishes like Juniper and Black Ore, and shelves or trays that you can adjust or pull out to help keep ingredients organized.
Refrigerator design options to fit your kitchen style
Choosing the refrigerator style for you is the first step toward achieving a personalized look. Your layout, design preferences and storage habits can help determine whether a built-in, freestanding or panel-ready model is the right fit for you.
1. Built-in vs. freestanding refrigerators
Built-in refrigerators sit nearly flush with surrounding cabinetry, creating an integrated appearance that complements many custom kitchen designs. Freestanding models offer flexibility for placement and installation, and many models also come with generous capacity and various convenient features.
Homeowners who prefer a built-in look might consider KitchenAid® built-in refrigerators, designed for alignment with cabinetry and available in multiple widths and configurations. For kitchens that would benefit from more flexibility, freestanding refrigerators often provide the same signature craftsmanship, often with simpler installation.
2. Panel-ready and cabinet-matching designs
Panel-ready refrigerators allow custom cabinet panels (not included) to be installed on the doors, which helps blend the appliance into the surrounding kitchen design. This approach works well for open-concept kitchens where continuity matters, offering a built-in look that feels cohesive with adjacent cabinets.
Panel-ready options, available on select KitchenAid® built-in models, can help create a modern, integrated appearance without sacrificing performance. These models are sometimes popular with those who enjoy integrated kitchen suites, which is a popular refrigerator design trend in many homes.
3. Unique finishes and colors
Color is an impactful way to personalize a refrigerator. Beyond stainless steel, you can often find matte, metallic and nature-inspired finishes that express your style.
Select KitchenAid® refrigerators and appliance suites are available in finishes like Juniper, a soft, satin metallic that shifts between green and blue, and Black Ore, a warm, matte black alternative to traditional black stainless steel. Some KitchenAid® models, such as this counter-depth French door refrigerator, can also be personalized with Hardware Accessory Kits in Brass, Bronze, Black Ore or Stainless Steel, allowing you to coordinate your refrigerator with other appliances across your kitchen suite.
“So the Kitchenaid appliance with the new colors becomes your canvas,” says Ingrid Sanchez, Whirlpool Product Marketing Director for Refrigeration. “Imagine a refrigerator where you can put your own touch while having the elegance you always wanted. And this can be applicable to other major appliances! These kits give you a chance to mix as much as you want.”
Shop large capacity KitchenAid® French door refrigerators
Make room for inspiration. KitchenAid® French door refrigerators come in multiple sizes and configurations so you can choose the capacity and layout that fit your needs. Select models feature the Preserva® Food Care System, Platinum Colored Interior with Metallic Accents, Adjustable Spill-Resistant Shelves and more. Enjoy thoughtful details to help keep ingredients organized and your kitchen looking the way you want it.
Refrigerator interior customization ideas
Refrigerator interiors can be somewhat customizable, just like the exteriors. Features like adjustable shelving, convertible drawers and flexible temperature zones help you create an organized space that can shift, depending on how you cook, store and entertain on any given day.
4. Adjustable shelving for convenient storage
Adjustable shelving on various makes and models makes it easy to reconfigure your refrigerator for tall items, large platters or meal prep containers. Some models feature sliding shelves or removable sections that allow quick access to items of various sizes and shapes.
Select KitchenAid® refrigerators, such as this KitchenAid® French door refrigerator, include thoughtful features such as Adjustable Glass Shelving and a Wood-Look Sliding Storage Tray to help keep ingredients easily accessible. Thoughtfully designed features like these add both function and craftsmanship to your chilled storage, helping you make the most of your refrigerator’s interior space.
5. Convertible compartments for flexible cooling
Convertible compartments let you adapt your refrigerator to changing needs—switching temperature zones for meats, beverages or snacks with the touch of a button.
Select KitchenAid® refrigerators have specialized features to help maintain ideal temperatures. Some of these features may include:
Preserva® Food Care System: Two independent cooling systems provide a dedicated refrigeration unit to help keep food fresh longer, and a separate system for frozen food. The FreshFlow™ Air Filter helps minimize odors while the FreshFlow™ Produce Preserver helps delay over-ripening.
FreshChill™ Temperature-Controlled Full-Width Pantry Drawer: Makes it easy to customize storage temperatures for different types of ingredients, helping to maintain freshness. Simply touch and select temperature presets for wine, deli, drinks and meat.
Max Cool: Helps quickly chill recently loaded groceries by setting the refrigerator compartment to the lowest temperature levels and maintaining them there for up to 24 hours.
Max Freeze: Drops the left freezer compartment temperature to its coldest level, so frozen goods can reach optimal temperatures. After 30 hours, the temperature will automatically be restored to the previous setting.
Multi-Zone Cooling System: Chills all your party essentials at 3 different temperatures in 3 dedicated zones. KitchenAid brand’s most customizable cooling system gives you the power to adjust fresh or frozen capacity as needed.
Full-Extension Self-Close Custom Temperature-Controlled Pantry Drawer: Features four presets so you can customize temperature for meat/fish, cold drinks, deli/cheese and wine.
These features can help you care for your various refrigerated ingredients while supporting an organized, functional layout.
6. Specialized add-ons and organizers
Specialized storage details can make your refrigerator feel uniquely yours. There are a lot of these features to consider across various makes and models, which can further “customize” your final choice. Thoughtful design elements—such as prep zones, pantry drawers and freezer bins—help you tailor how and where you store ingredients.
Select KitchenAid® models, such as this KitchenAid® freestanding refrigerator, also include touches like a Wood-Look Sliding Storage Tray, a Humidity-Controlled Crisper and a Platinum Colored Interior with Metallic Accents. These additions combine style and practicality for a refrigerator that supports both everyday routines and entertaining, incorporating refrigerator organization strategies that help you make the most of your available space.
Tips for preparing for your refrigerator
When you’re deciding on your new refrigerator, start by looking at your kitchen as a whole. Think about where the refrigerator will sit, how much space you have and which color or finish will look best in that spot. It also helps to consider how the model you choose will affect your everyday workflow—from how you move through the kitchen to how easily you can access food while cooking.
Measure precisely: Account for cabinet depth, door clearance and ventilation requirements.
Plan for installation: Built-in and panel-ready models may require professional installation to achieve the right fit with surrounding cabinetry.
Check connections: Refrigerators with ice makers or water dispensers typically need access to a water line, so plan placement with hookups in mind.
Consider finishes: Match your refrigerator’s hardware and finish with surrounding appliances and fixtures or go for a more creative look and mix it up.
Think about workflow: Arrange shelving and drawers to keep your most-used ingredients within reach.
KitchenAid® Hardware Accessory Kits
Curate the colors and textures that move you
From bold Black Ore to the inviting warmth of Bronze, mix and match handles and knobs to refresh your appliances and bring new energy to your kitchen
Explore KitchenAid® refrigerators
From built-in statement pieces to freestanding configurations that fit your kitchen layout, KitchenAid® refrigerators are crafted to care for your groceries and inspire your creativity. Select KitchenAid® models feature the Preserva® Food Care System, with two independent cooling systems to help keep food fresh longer. With multiple sizes and configurations available— designed with thoughtful details and distinctive finishes—KitchenAid® refrigerators can stylishly support your culinary endeavors for years to come.
