Explore the available refrigerator sizes and how to choose them

Apart from being a place to store various food ingredients to keep them fresh, a refrigerator is also considered an important investment to improve the kitchen's efficiency. However, most people only focus on the quality of the product. Yet, choosing the right refrigerator size is also one of the crucial steps that is often ignored. 

A proper refrigerator size for the kitchen space and household needs can function optimally. A refrigerator that is too small cannot store all the daily food, while a larger refrigerator will require higher energy consumption. 

To meet everyone's needs, there are various size options available. Let's take a look at this article to explore the different sizes of refrigerators as well as a quick guide to choosing the one that best suits your residential needs. 

Commonly available refrigerator sizes

While browsing through various furniture retailers, you will come across different sizes of refrigerators that are purposely designed to suit all needs and space sizes. Here are some types of refrigerators with the differentiating factor being their size: 

Mini fridge

The first size refrigerator is the mini fridge, with its height ranging from 50-85 cm and width of 40-50 cm. Generally, the capacity of a mini fridge ranges from 40-100 liters so it is still practical for storing drinks, snacks, and other foodstuffs. 

This type of fridge is ideal for homes with limited space, such as studio apartments or dorm rooms. You can also use it if you live alone. 

Also read: Make the most of your food containers 

1-door refrigerator

Next is a 1-door refrigerator with a capacity of about 100 to 250 liters. With the height of 120-150 cm and width of 50-60 cm, this type of refrigerator is perfect for individuals or married couples. 

If you pay attention, this refrigerator is usually equipped with a small freezer at the top of the refrigerator to store all types of frozen foods such as meat, various processed foods, and frozen pastry or cake dough. 

2-door refrigerator

The 2-door refrigerator is often believed to be one of the popular choices for small to medium-sized families with a larger capacity of 250-400 liters. This refrigerator has a height dimension ranging from 150-180 cm with a width of 60-70 cm so that it can store large amounts of food ingredients. 

Just like the previous refrigerator, this refrigerator is equipped with a freezer component but can be located at the top or bottom. This allows you to utilize it to store larger amounts of fresh and frozen food items. 

Side-by-side refrigerator

If you want a luxurious-looking fridge with a large capacity, a side-by-side fridge might be the answer to your needs. It has a height of about 170-190 cm with a width of 80-90 cm and a capacity of 500-800 liters, perfect for storing a lot of food. 

Side-by-side refrigerators offer side-by-side freezers and refrigerators, making it easy to access all the groceries inside. 

French door refrigerator

The last refrigerator size option is the french door which combines the advantages of a side-by-side refrigerator with a 2-door refrigerator. At the top, you will find two doors for the refrigerator and a retractable freezer at the bottom. 

With a height of about 170-190 cm and a width of 70-90 cm and a capacity of 400-600 cm, this refrigerator is designed to make it easy to reach food ingredients more easily and optimize every available storage space. 

Other refrigerators

In addition to the types above, there are also fridge options with special features such as bottom freezers that place the freezer at the bottom for easier access to fresh ingredients. Another option is a multi-door refrigerator with more flexibility to organize food storage. 

Tips for choosing the right size refrigerator

Choosing the right size of fridge is not just about how much space you have available in your kitchen, you should also consider the following important factors. This will ensure that the fridge you choose really suits your daily needs. 

Number of family members

The more family members who live in a residence means the larger the refrigerator capacity needed. As an approximate example, a refrigerator capacity of 100 liters will be enough to meet the food needs of every two people in the household. 

Shopping habits

Do you tend to buy a lot of groceries in one go? If so, choosing a fridge with a larger capacity is necessary to store all these food supplies. 

Lifestyle

Similar to the point above, if your cooking or meal preparation habits are high for a large number of people, consider getting a fridge with enough space to store fresh ingredients and ready-to-eat meals. 

Kitchen space

Measure the available kitchen space carefully before making your final choice. Make sure to leave a little space around the fridge for proper ventilation without interfering with the access to the various food items inside. 

Also read: A traditional black kitchen in a small space 

Additional features

Some refrigerators come with additional features, such as water and ice dispensers that affect the overall dimensions and storage capacity. Consider the benefits of these features with your needs and the size of the fridge you choose. 

Energy efficiency

The last factor to consider is the energy consumption required. The larger the size of the refrigerator, the more likely it is to consume more energy. Therefore, you should choose a refrigerator with good energy efficiency to save electricity costs for a long period of time. 

Determining refrigerator size based on storage capacity

When it comes to determining the ideal refrigerator size, it is important to consider the storage capacity measured in liters. Storage capacity is a crucial factor that directly correlates with a household's need for food storage space.  

As a general guide, the larger the number of family members, the larger the liter capacity needed for the refrigerator. By knowing the size of the fridge that can accommodate your family's daily food storage needs, you can ensure that the fridge you choose can accommodate all your storage needs efficiently. 

Common mistakes in choosing a fridge size and how to avoid them

Deciding on a proportionate fridge size can be difficult. Even a poorly chosen fridge can cause inconvenience or waste energy. For this reason, you should avoid the following common mistakes in choosing a fridge size: 

Misjudging the kitchen space

Generally, most people go ahead and choose a refrigerator without taking an accurate measurement of the available space. As a result, the fridge may be too big to fit into the kitchen or too small to meet the storage needs.  

As a solution, you should take careful measurements of the available kitchen space, starting from its width, height, and depth. Also, look at the additional space for opening the fridge door and ventilation. 

Ignoring storage needs

Next up is the mismatch between the amount of food stored and the storage needs of the fridge. If you have a large family or frequently host events, the fridge will likely fill up quickly or not function efficiently. 

To solve this, consider your spending habits and lifestyle as well as the number of family members. This will make it easier to estimate the storage needs that are suitable for daily food consumption. 

Focusing too much on price

Avoid using price and budget as the only determining factors. A refrigerator that is too cheap will not be able to fulfill your needs in the long term, and may even break down faster. 

The solution is to invest the funds you have to choose a quality refrigerator that suits your needs. Although the price is slightly more expensive, the quality provided is still very balanced. 

Ignoring energy efficiency

As mentioned earlier, larger refrigerator sizes tend to consume more energy. This can significantly increase your electricity bill. Therefore, choose a refrigerator that offers the advantage of good energy efficiency to save money in the long run. 

Not considering future needs

The needs of the home may change over time, especially if there are plans to add more family members or change the daily lifestyle. As a solution, use a refrigerator with a larger capacity to accommodate your changing needs in the future. 

Also read: The secret of delicious homemade cakes 

Why choosing the right size fridge can save you money

Did you know that choosing the right size refrigerator can have a significant impact on your expenses? Here are some of the roles of a refrigerator that can save you money. 

Reduced electricity costs

Larger refrigerators tend to require more energy to cool the larger space inside. When you manage to choose a fridge that suits your needs, you can avoid wasting energy and running up electricity bills. 

Prevent food wastage

A fridge that is too small can cause food to pile up and be harder to find, increasing the risk of food expiring and going to waste. However, choosing the right fridge size is different.  

This will allow you to organize your food better and have easy access to everything you have. This will make it easier to find and use food items before they expire. 

Reduce maintenance costs

Whether the fridge is too big or too small, both can suffer from wear and tear more quickly as they work harder than they should. When you choose the right fridge, it can live a long life and reduce the cost of repairs or replacements needed in the future. 

Increases the resale value of your home

If you plan to sell your house in the future, having an efficient fridge that fits the size of your kitchen will be a plus for potential buyers, especially if it is well-maintained. 

Discover the different types of refrigerators available at IKEA for all kitchen needs

During the process of choosing the right size refrigerator, it is important to keep in mind the crucial points that have been discussed. Don't forget to pay attention to certain factors, such as storage capacity, available kitchen space, and energy efficiency. 

By choosing the ideal refrigerator size, your food storage needs can be accommodated easily with just one multifunctional appliance. But what if you still have doubts and don't have the right choice of refrigerator that you want? Don't worry. You can explore the various refrigerator collections available only at IKEA! 

As a leading furniture procedure from Sweden, we always prioritize customer comfort and needs by presenting a variety of products with attractive and functional designs, ranging from minimalist to modern styles. 

In fact, these products have been confirmed to be of high quality, but can be reached by various types of people because the prices are relatively affordable. What are you waiting for? Visit the nearest IKEA store from your location or visit our official website. Create an efficient and comfortable storage space that fits your needs with IKEA!