When considering ways to upgrade your kitchen and add value to your home, one quick and simple project to consider is converting your regular freestanding refrigerator into a high end built in refrigerator.    Whether you have an existing cabinets or are building new ones, this upgrade only takes about 15 minutes and a few basic tools.  In this post we will show you how to make any refrigerator look built in.

Quick Links:

1.  What is a built-in refrigerator

2.  How to make a refrigerator look built in if you already have cabinets

3.  How t make a refrigerator look built in if you are building new cabinets

What is a built in refrigerator?

There are three basic refrigerator styles:  freestanding, built-in, and integrated.  See the chart below for more information.

(click to enlarge)

How to make any refrigerator look built in if you already have cabinets

Step 1:  Decide which finish matches your refrigerator

There are two standard "finishes" to choose from:  bright finish and matte finish.  Samples can be ordered here.  Alternatively, you can view the customer gallery and see which finish might match your make and model.  Lastly, you can reach out for an opinion.  Many times we have enough data and/or photos to confidently recommend which finish would work best.

Step 2: Flush or proud mount

There are two mounting styles for the top grille:  flush or proud.  Below are photos and an explanation of both.  There are two things worth noting for the proud mount:  1) The front of the grille can extend up to 4-5/8"from the front of the cabinet and 2) it requires a gap  height of at least 2-1/2" for our proud mount brackets to fit.

Step 3:  Top trim kit only or a full kit

Each cabinet configuration is unique, so your decision will depend on the size of each gap.  Homeowners who have a narrow refrigerator cabinet will likely have smaller side gaps and may be able to achieve a built-in look by only adding a top trim piece. If you'd like to learn more about the size of gap you can check out our more detailed blog post "Refrigerator gap filler: How to fill the gaps around your refrigerator".

Step 4:  Measure for your kit

Measuring for your kit is only takes a few minutes.  To help explain how to make any refrigerator look built in, we've created some videos to walk you through the process.  

Below is a video showing how to measure for a top trim piece only.

Below is a video showing how to measure for a full kit.

Step 5:  Install your kit

Installation typically takes about 15 minutes and a screwdriver.  Each kit is accompanied by a detailed instruction video.  After your refrigerator is rolled out of the opening, simply fasten the pre-cut pieces to the interior of your cabinet using the included hardware and fasteners (2 to 8 screws typically).  Once the pieces are installed, roll the refrigerator back into place and that's it.  

How to make any refrigerator look built in if you are building new cabinets

Step 1: Decide the finish

There are two standard "finishes" to choose from:  bright finish and matte finish.  Samples can be ordered here.  Alternatively, you can view the customer gallery and see which finish might match your make and model.  Lastly, you can reach out for an opinion.  Many times we have enough data and/or photos to confidently recommend which finish would work best.

Step 2: Louvered or flat grille

When building new cabinets, we offer two grill styles:  flat or louvered.  Below is a photo of both.

Step 3: Flush or proud mount

There are two mounting styles for the top grille:  flush or proud.  Below are photos and an explanation of both.  The grille comes with slotted brackets and can extend up to 4-5/8"from the front of the cabinet.

Step 4: Build cabinets

After choosing your options, you can either use the spec sheet provided (click to see spec sheets) or we are happy to send over a blueprint.  When ordering, simply click the "send me a blueprint" option or if you'd like a blueprint prior to ordering, you can simply contact us.

If interested, we also made a video to help explain how to build your cabinets.  Please see below

Step 5: Install kit

The final step in "How to make any refrigerator look built in" is installation.  Installation typically takes about 15 minutes and a screwdriver.  Each kit is accompanied by a detailed instruction video.  Before installing the refrigerator into your new cabinets, simply fasten the pre-cut trim pieces to the interior of your cabinet using the included hardware and fasteners (2 to 8 screws typically).  Once the pieces are installed, roll your refrigerator into place and you're all set.

We hope this post have been helpful.  If you have any questions or need help converting your freestanding refrigerator into a built in refrigerator we are here for you.  We can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 918-212-4682.