Most of us prefer to build a regular refrigerator built into a cabinet. The reasons may be very different: unpresentable appearance, the white shade of the device may stand out from all the colors, and other common reasons push most people to this idea.
Now let’s look at the answer to the question “Is it possible to build an ordinary refrigerator into a cabinet?” Before giving an answer, let’s consider such important questions as: what is a built-in refrigerator, and what is its difference from an ordinary one?
Built-in refrigerator
- used for embeddings. A special cabinet is made for him, according to the dimensions noted in the passport. The depth of the refrigerator and the lower cabinet are the same. The device is installed not on the floor covering, but on the bottom of the cabinet;
- its thermal insulation is much better than that of a separately installed device, and it is fireproof;
- The design of the locker is noted in the passport, the ventilation is thorough;
- furniture doors can be attached with special fasteners to the doors of the cabinet itself. This trick cannot be used with an ordinary refrigerator.
Is it worth building a refrigerator into a closet?
There are a couple of reasons for refusing to purchase embedded equipment in favor of installing conventional equipment on your own:
- An embedded solution is always a bit expensive;
- Under other identical conditions, the built-in equipment is worse in size and capacity;
- It’s just that the house already has a wonderful old refrigerator.
On the other hand, installing a refrigerator is technically very reliable, simpler, and the external design of the structure, starting from the fittings and ending with the facade, turns out to be ideal in this regard. The built-in refrigerator does not heat up excessively and is less noisy and vibrates.
Is it possible to build a regular refrigerator into a kitchen cabinet?
Placing large appliances in special kitchen cabinets or modules allows you to disguise them behind beautiful facades. Of course, today there are built-in factory models, but they do not belong to the category of budget options. The difference in price of such units is due to design features, as well as improved thermal insulation and fire safety.
Can a regular refrigerator be built-in? Yes, for free-standing models it is quite possible. It is important to adhere to a few basic rules: having free access of air for thermoregulation and avoiding overheating, as well as designing a well-thought-out door opening system. It is also important that any configuration change will not allow repair of household appliances under warranty. Therefore, there is a certain risk of high unexpected costs during the maintenance process.
How to install a regular refrigerator in a closet
However, if you still want to build a refrigerator into your kitchen unit, then you can consider the following two methods:
Method 1
Mount the refrigerator in a box that is designed according to its dimensions, and install the door and cabinet front.
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An ordinary refrigerator, which is built into a cabinet.
Method 2
Conceal the refrigerator with paint or self-adhesive wallpaper.
Is it possible to build a regular refrigerator into a closet?
If a situation arises when the refrigeration unit cannot fit into the overall design of the kitchen, a special place (cabinet) will come to the rescue where it can be placed so that it does not “disturb” the eye.
In our discussion, there are two types of refrigerators:
- intended for embedding;
- those that were not originally intended for these purposes.
On a note! A regular refrigerator can also be built into a closet.
For both options, you just need to take into account some aspects, which will be discussed below.
Safety regulations:
- The back wall of the cabinet should not be pressed tightly against the heated elements of the refrigerator. The heat generated can start to interact negatively with paint or objects that are stuck between the walls. Such interaction is fraught with fire or damage to the technical characteristics of the cabinet.
- If possible, it is better to remove the legs of the refrigerator or discard the bottom of the drawer. Refrigerators that are designed to be built-in may have legs, but they may not be used. In conventional cold storage units, the legs are usually non-removable, which increases the specific gravity pressure on the bottom of the cabinet. The correct location of these household appliances is the key to successful operation.
- The internal volume of the box should not be exposed to heat from a stove or other elements. Please note that gas stoves can heat the refrigerator, even despite the cabinet partition. Place these appliances at an appropriate distance from each other, as in a normal arrangement.
Operating rules:
- Check the back wall regularly for cobwebs and debris. Blockages can not only cause a fire, but also cause impaired thermoregulation, and as a result, failure of the cooling properties of the freezing compressor.
- Try not to put anything on top of the cabinet. This surface is not a place for things or treasures: firstly, they can damage the overall structure, and secondly, they increase the level of fire hazard.
- Avoid sudden impacts or physical impacts that could dislodge the household cooling unit from its installation location. This rule applies to all household appliances without exception, even taking into account their special placement locations.
Advice! Never leave decorative magnets on refrigerator doors. Magnets can harm the operation of sensitive climate equipment inside the refrigerator (electronic thermometers that are installed in the door, etc.), and also look simply unsophisticated.
You can get rid of the tape or magnets and then use double-sided tape to place them on the cabinet door.
Scheme and drawings
The main idea is to choose a drawer that does not look flashy and distinctive from the design of your kitchen. A protruding handle for opening can immediately catch your eye and can give away the “secret” that there is something behind the door. We recommend using special invisible handles. They are practically invisible and are practical to use, which can add special technology to your kitchen. And the diagram for installing a 60cm wide freezer under the countertop is simple.
If you have a lot of space, then you can use soundproofing material (they need more space) to upholster the cabinet parts, which will greatly reduce the noise of the structure.
You can install a special light with batteries in the drawer, allowing you to comfortably remove food from the refrigerator, even if you have difficulties with electricity.
Possible ideas: how to hide a refrigerator in a kitchen cabinet
The main idea is to choose a drawer that does not look flashy and distinctive from the design of your kitchen.
The protruding handle for opening immediately catches the eye and gives away the “secret” that there is something behind the door. It is recommended to use special invisible handles. They are almost invisible and practical to use, which will add more technology to your kitchen.
If you have enough space, you can use soundproofing materials (they take up more space) to line the cabinetry, which will significantly reduce the overall noise level.
You can install special lighting with a battery inside the drawer, which will allow you to comfortably take food from the refrigerator, even if you have problems with the power supply (the light has gone out).
What do you need to build a refrigerator into a closet?
Access to power grid. The first thing you need is to solve the problem with wiring and free access to the outlet in advance. Buy an extension cord with a spare wire, which will allow you to make rearrangements in the future.
Physical strength to carry out the installation process. It is better to share this task with a partner (or even with more workers). It is better to defrost the refrigerator first, which will reduce its overall weight. It is better to lift heavy household appliances using jacks.
Step-by-step instruction
We will look at the example of building a refrigerator into a 60 cm box.
Design a box for installation
Designing a box for a refrigerator is not difficult. To do this, it is enough to prepare all the necessary tools and materials.
Sawing materials
To make a built-in refrigerator yourself, you need the following types of materials and tools:
- wood or chipboard;
- door hinges with a closer and a wide opening angle (elements guarantee the possibility of removing the drawer and shelves);
- door handles;
- fasteners (screw, bolt, clamp, screw);
- LMB;
- Self-adhesive films;
- roulette;
- pencils with a jigsaw;
- drill with drills of various sizes;
- screwdriver;
- saw with a hammer.
Assemble the frame
You can build an ordinary refrigerator into a kitchen set using this method:
- We attach the upper area of the cabinet and the shelves, which are installed above the equipment, to the rack using mini-fasteners;
- We twist the back wall to the end of the shelf using screws, to the rack using corners;
- At the back of the modules you need to install a wide spacer, secured with mini-clamps;
- A small spacer is fixed with metal corners;
- The cabinet is installed at the installation site, and then it is worth leveling the structure using a level;
- The module is attached with furniture parts installed next to each other, metal corners of the cabinet are combined with the wall;
- The third spacer should be installed at the level of the plinth and secured with corners; on
- we screw the door hinges on the side post on the left (for a huge door you will need 4 parts, for a small door 2 will be enough);
- Holes are made in the side rack for passages through which the network cable is routed.
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Build a refrigerator into a box
To install an ordinary refrigerator in a cabinet, you need to carry out the following manipulations:
- We place the equipment in the furniture module, remove the handle. The cabinet door must be closed. The front area of the device must not interfere with the installation of the façade;
- We attach the equipment to the side walls. This can help ensure the structure has the necessary stability. Otherwise, deformation will occur and the door will no longer close. To fix the structure, you can use metal corners. We attach one area to the module, and the second to the refrigerator.
Installing a facade on refrigerator doors
Installation of the facade on a built-in refrigerator is carried out using the following two methods: fittings, which ensure that the door slides against the facade along the runners, and fixed fasteners with hinge systems. The second method is reliable, but it is very expensive and requires excellent skills.
The refrigerator, which is hidden behind the facade, has numerous advantages. The interior looks very complete and aesthetically pleasing. In particular, this also applies to classical, romantic, and ethnic styles. In them, an enameled or steel box looks like a completely alien object, and can negate all the designer’s work. A disguised refrigerator is a salvation for such an interior.
Advantages of the built-in model:
- ergonomics - built-in appliances can help rationally optimize a room, minimize distances, overcome during cooking, and perfectly organize the “working triangle” area. In addition, you can install it at a height that is comfortable for users;
- noiselessness – thanks to the rigid fixation to the body, vibration is dampened, which means the noise level is reduced. The very location of the device “in the closet” can contribute to this. Furniture walls can partially block the propagation of sounds;
- profitability - the need to place equipment in the headset set the manufacturer a goal - to guarantee the required level of thermal insulation. A huge protective layer can reliably minimize the influence of the external environment and allows the equipment to operate in an economical mode;
- easy care - there are no side walls, which reduces the time required to wash kitchen aids. Hidden wires should not be washed away from dirt;
- abundance of models - with the exception of standard solutions, there is equipment that you can build under the countertop or move into the island. There are refrigerator solutions in which the freezer is located at the bottom, top, side, or there is no freezer at all.
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Fake a Built-in Refrigerator with Home Decor
You can change the “keeper of the freshness of your food” with your own imagination and decorative techniques. Fortunately, there are a lot of them.
Thus, you can use the following methods:
- Painting. You can use enamel paints in your work. The main thing is to apply the spray paint evenly. A few layers of paint and your refrigerator will be unrecognizable. You can choose paint to match the headset, or you can use other colors. If you have a two-color technique, then you can select two colors at the same time. For example, you can repeat the white top and black bottom of furniture during decoration by making the top door white and the bottom door black, or vice versa;
- If you are a connoisseur of extravagant techniques, you can use a stencil. With their help you can create expressive ornaments and patterns;
- If you wish and have artistic skill, you can use a brush and recreate a true work of art.
How to hide a refrigerator in a closet with your own hands
During the installation process, it is better to protect the floor covering with a hard cloth, which will protect your floors from scratches and other mechanical damage.
Use construction straps to accurately position the cooling unit housing. With their help, you can install it at the planned location.
For greater comfort during installation, you can remove the cabinet door, which will allow you not to worry about the possibility of causing mechanical damage to it, and then simply screw it into place.
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Tips and tricks
Installation is a very difficult and labor-intensive process. To complete the work correctly, you need to take a responsible approach to carefully study the installation process and take into account the advice of experienced craftsmen.
The most common mistakes when installing a built-in refrigeration cabinet yourself:
- the use of a massive decorative panel, which creates additional loads on the equipment and the front door;
- failure to take into account the rules regarding the presence of a ventilation gap and lower ventilation shelves;
- installing a refrigerator next to heating appliances;
- Incorrect connection of devices to the electrical network.
If the equipment malfunctions or completely fails due to such errors, the technicians will not accept the equipment for repair under warranty. You can lose both time and money (on repairs at your own expense, purchasing new equipment, calling a specialist and new installation work). If you are not confident in your own abilities and strengths, it is recommended to immediately leave such work to a pro.
