Can You Place A Refrigerator In The Corner Of The Kitchen?

Deciding how to arrange your appliances can be confusing sometimes. Do you want to try putting your refrigerator in the corner of your kitchen but don't know whether that's a good idea or not? Well, we've done plenty of research and have the answer here for you. Let's get right into it.

It's completely fine to place a refrigerator in the corner of the kitchen. Doing this is a great way to keep your appliance out of the way and open your space up, so we recommend it. That said, you want to make sure your refrigerator is easily accessible and well ventilated, so don't place it in a super confined area.

As we begin, we will cover all things refrigerator placement and discuss how to keep your kitchen cohesive. Whether you're renovating or need a change, we're here to offer some help. With that said, let's dive into this topic!

What Is The Best Place To Put A Refrigerator In The Kitchen?

Generally, you want to place a refrigerator somewhere close to a countertop and give it plenty of room. This will make unloading groceries and preparing food much easier, as well as eating a late-night snack.

It's also a good idea to place your fridge close to a wall outlet, so you can plug it in and get it working.

Can You Put A Fridge Anywhere In The Kitchen?

Although you can, it's important to find a spot for your refrigerator that makes sense. For example, you don't want to put your fridge in front of a door or somewhere you can't fully open it, so location makes a difference.

That said, if you want your refrigerator out of the way, you can always try keeping it towards a corner or the pantry, so there isn't one way to do this.

How Close Can You Put A Fridge To The Wall?

It's a good idea to put your fridge at least two inches from the wall. Doing this will ensure its condenser coils don't get crushed and can release heat properly.

Even if your appliance has a bottom condenser coil, we still recommend one to two inches of back-end clearance to keep air moving, so keep that in mind.

How Much Space Do You Need Around A Refrigerator?

You want to leave around an inch of space for the top of your fridge and at least 1/8-inch on either side. We say this because a refrigerator needs room to circulate air, which will keep it running efficiently.

Another reason to leave space around your fridge is that your appliance can overheat and break without it, so this can be an expensive mistake. As we said, you don't usually need more than 1-2 inches for the back of your appliance, so this doesn't require a ton of extra space.

Can You Place The Fridge Next To The Stove?

Yes, you can put your refrigerator next to the stove. Although this is usually better for smaller kitchens, keeping the fridge and stove close is a great way to utilize your room.

That said, if you turn on the stove often, this can cause your fridge to warm up and use more energy to maintain its temperature, which means a higher electric bill.

What Is The Minimum Distance Between Fridge And Stove?

If your stove is gas, try to keep it about 20 inches away from the refrigerator. For anyone with an electric stove, it's safe to keep your appliances at least two inches apart, so this is the better side-by-side option.

The reasoning for this is that gas stoves tend to produce high amounts of heat, which can warm up your fridge and spoil the food inside. Electric stoves won't get super hot, hence why they can be much closer to your refrigerator.

Can A Refrigerator Be Next To The Sink?

Yes, you can try placing a refrigerator next to the sink in your kitchen. Doing this is more common than the stove because your sink doesn't produce enough extra heat to affect your refrigerator's temperature.

It's also worth noting that most sinks are located in the middle of a countertop or island, so you won't have to worry about losing counter space or having your kitchen feel cramped if you do this.

Can A Refrigerator Be Next To A Dishwasher?

Like the stove, your dishwasher can also get hot while on, which isn't great for the fridge. Most times, you won't see the refrigerator directly next to the dishwasher for this reason, but that's not to say they can't be near one another.

If you insulate between your fridge and dishwasher well, we don't see a problem with having them close by, so that's an idea to consider. Now, if you can't insulate between the two, it's best to give your refrigerator and dishwasher about 15-20 inches of space.

Where Should I Put My Fridge In A Small Kitchen?

There are plenty of places you can try putting a fridge if your kitchen is small. Some of our top ideas include:

• Underneath the counter
• On top of the counter (for portable/mini options)
• Under the kitchen island
• Behind your kitchen door
• Inside of a cabinet or pantry

Of course, some of these ideas will only work if you also have a smaller fridge, so try to plan accordingly.

What Is The Best Layout For A Small Kitchen?

One of the better layouts for small kitchens would be a "U" shape floor plan. Typically, this allows for more counter space, considering that an island is usually at the center.

This layout is also great for spacing out appliances, which can come in handy if you have a gas stove or can't insulate between your dishwasher and refrigerator.

Can I Put My Fridge In The Pantry?

Yes, it's usually okay to put your refrigerator inside the pantry. Like we said above, doing this works great for smaller kitchens and is an easy way to clear up extra space for other items.

That said, you want to make sure to give your fridge enough clearance on the bottom, top, and sides, to prevent it from overheating, so this may not work for everybody.

Can I Keep My Refrigerator In The Laundry Room?

If your kitchen isn't big enough for a refrigerator, you can certainly relocate it to the laundry room. Of course, this means an extra walk if the two spaces aren't next to each other, so that is something to think about.

Luckily, many apartments/smaller homes will place the laundry room and kitchen somewhat close, so you shouldn't run into a problem if you try this.

Should I Put My Refrigerator In The Garage?

Keeping your fridge in the garage is a great idea if you live somewhere with moderate year-round weather. Considering that many people have two refrigerators, the garage is a good place to keep your extra appliance.

Even if you want to free up space in your kitchen and only have one fridge, using the garage to store it can work nicely if the two are nearby. Again, everyone has different lifestyles and needs, so if you want to try putting your refrigerator in the garage, we say go for it.

Where Should You Store A Refrigerator?

When storing a fridge, you want to ensure it's somewhere clean and dry. Especially if you don't plan on using it anytime soon, it's a good idea to wrap it in plastic to prevent pests/rodents from making their way inside.

Like we covered above, the garage is a good place for both storage and using a refrigerator, so that's one place to consider. Depending on its size, you can also try putting your fridge in the basement or attic, but this might require a few helpers.

To Wrap Things Up

Whether you want to renovate your kitchen or move things around, knowing where to put the fridge is essential. From what we found, you can put a refrigerator in the corner of your kitchen, especially if you have a smaller space.

It's also a good idea to make sure you keep your fridge at least two inches from the wall and give it about an inch of clearance around. You can also try putting your refrigerator in different places, like the laundry room or garage, so there are plenty of ideas to consider.

Made it to the end? Check out these helpful related kitchen posts below!

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