Above Fridge Cabinet: How to Make Sure it Fits any Refrigerator Perfectly
The above the fridge cabinet is one of those "darned if you, darned if you don't" choices. The cabinets aren't terribly useful and may seem like a waste of money, but leave them out of your kitchen and it will likely look unfinished.
Pros:
+ Having a cabinet overhead gives your refrigerator a more built-in look
+ Added storage space.
Cons:
- Who wants to spend money building and installing something that will rarely be used
- Even after installing, there will likely be a gap between refrigerator and cabinet (to allow for future refrigerator makes/models and ventilation)
Our expert opinion: We are of the opinion that an above fridge cabinet is essential if you want your kitchen to look finished. That being said, we also believe unless you are 6-8" tall, they provide essentially zero storage value.
The question then becomes, "at what height should I install my above fridge cabinet"?
Option 1...if you install it to accommodate your current refrigerator, what happens when you need to replace it with a taller fridge?
Option 2...if you plan for the future and install it high enough to accommodate the tallest refrigerator on the market (currently 73-3/8" tall), what do you do with the gap between the cabinet and the refrigerator (which could be up to 4" tall!)? To learn more about refrigerator sizes and cabinets check out our post "Refrigerator Cabinet Dimension Guide".
Our solution: Install an above fridge cabinet high enough to accommodate any refrigerator on the market and then install a sleek top grille to fill in the gap. This accomplishes two things - 1) it gives your refrigerator high end built-in look and 2) the louvered grille provides ventilation for your refrigerator.
In conclusion, we strongly suggest if you want your kitchen to look finished and modern, above fridge cabinets are the way to go. Depending on your height, they may not provide much storage value but they sure make an impressive statement! If executed correctly, the actual cabinet box can be sized according to current refrigerator sizes on the market as well as future updates. Once installed, finish it off with a sleek custom grille to fill the gap and give your refrigerator a high-end built in look.
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FAQs
How can I design my refrigerator cabinet so it will fit almost any model in the future?
We recommend designing the space using a placeholder dimension of 76-78 inches tall and 37 inches wide. Designing around this footprint ensures your cabinet will comfortably accommodate most standard freestanding refrigerators on the market if you ever need to replace your current unit.
If I build the cabinet extra tall for future flexibility, how do I hide the resulting large gap?
You can conceal the extra empty space above your refrigerator by installing a custom top vent grille. side trim pieces can also be added to cover any gaps on the side. These trim kits give the refrigerator a built-in look that is high-end and keeps the refrigerator from sticking out like a sore thumb.
How much space is typically recommended above the refrigerator to fit a trim kit?
For new cabinet construction, we normally recommend leaving a clearance of 8 inches between the top of the refrigerator and the top of the cabinet enclosure. If you're working with an existing cabinet, you should have at least a 1-inch gap or more on top to properly fit the custom grille.
Should I have the top trim overlap the cabinet if I want to keep the space flexible for future appliances?
If your primary goal is flexibility for future refrigerator replacements, it's generally recommended to have the trim not rely on overlap onto the cabinet. This ensures that the opening is as large as possible and will allow any refrigerator in the future.
What is the benefit of leaving a larger space in the cabinet above the fridge?
Leaving extra space up top means most future refrigerators will fit, and it gives you the opportunity to extend the top grille up close to the upper cabinet doors. This adds vertical height to the refrigerator and gives you a more integrated built-in look.