A high-end luxury look for less…
Are you currently planning to build, building a new home or embarking on a kitchen remodel? If the answer is yes, then I have to recommend considering a separate refrigerator and freezer. Appliances can be a hefty portion of any kitchen budget but it is possible to achieve this look cost effectively.
The photos below show some of the inspiration photos we used when it came to planning the kitchen in our new home. We knew we wanted this look but our budget was not “Sub-Zero / Viking friendly” so back to the drawing board.
Rewind 15 years ago and there were 3 basic categories when selecting new appliances.
- Entry Level / Apartment Grade – Think coil top electric ranges and freezer on top refrigerators available in black, white, and …. bisque.
- Upgraded Mid Level – Typically your stainless steel ranges, available in gas, electric, still pretty basic but nicer looking.
- Hah, yeah the ones we can’t remotely afford!! – All the things we dreamed of …Â Built-in refrigerators, professional gas ranges, big commercial type handles, convection ovens, and all the bells and whistles.
Well, fortunately, as home design has evolved over the last decade the manufacturers have been listening. Now, there are beautiful options available, made by almost all of the main players in the appliance industry, at a fraction of the cost of the high-end luxury products. Everyone is motivated by different factors, but I am personally just aiming for a certain “look.” As long as it looks great and works the way it’s supposed to… it’s a win/win for me!
Of course with any kitchen design, the appliance selection should really come first so the cabinets can be designed around them. One of the main reasons we chose the Frigidaire appliance package was because they had this built-in “look-a-like” refrigerator and freezer option. By selecting the Professional Series we were able to get that bulky commercial grade handle option that I’ve been drooling over since I saw my first house that had a big beautiful commercial stove (with the red knobs) installed in the kitchen.
The final product with separate refrigerator & freezer!
The beauty of these units is that they are actually freestanding (i.e. not actually built into the cabinets) and they just have an accessory trim kit on them that makes them look like the big commercial units pictured in the inspiration photos. *Note: this makes it much less expensive, and less scary in the event something ever has to be serviced or replaced.
Now, I’ll let you be the judge for yourself but everyone that has visited us has commented on this set up. I think it’s safe to say, if we ever had to do another kitchen design it would have to include a separate refrigerator and freezer. If this has inspired your planning, it’s also important to note that you can also have these units side by side with one big trim kit around them if your space requires that type of layout instead.
