by Product Specialist
When you're ready to start shopping for a new refrigerator, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of models now available, and you might have trouble getting started with your search. Here are a few key points to remember, which will help narrow down your choices and ensure that you end up with exactly what you need.
Refrigerator Styles
The most popular refrigerator style is the 'top-mount' style, which has the freezer on top and the refrigerator space below it. These are generally the most affordable units, and they emphasize cooling space over freezing space, so if you have need of more freezing capacity, you may need to consider another style. The 'bottom-mount' style is just the opposite of course, and has the small-ish freezer situated on the bottom of the unit, often being sized as a shelf that can be pulled out, for the placement and retrieval of frozen foods.
The 'side-by-side' style is constructed such that the freezer area and the refrigerator area are both vertical sections, although generally the refrigerated space takes up more room than the freezer area. Still, this configuration provides much greater capacity for frozen foods, so if your family typically maintains a large volume of freez-ables, this might be the most advantageous for you.
Yet another refrigerator style is that of the 'counter-depth' model. These refrigerators are reduced in size, but can be sufficient for single persons or small families, and they have the additional benefit of sitting more or less flush with other cabinetry and countertops in the kitchen. Where kitchen space is at a premium, they can be the ideal style for a home, and from an appearance standpoint, they blend in well with existing kitchen decor and styling.
Other Points
Apart from the purely stylistic considerations, you should also take into account how much space you have in your kitchen for a new unit, whether your family prefers more fresh foods or frozen, and the physical capabilities of household occupants who would be accessing the new refrigerator.