A fluid kitchen design can be described as one which exists organically with the architecture of your home. Original built-in cabinetry or ample countertop space that has been recently upgraded with quartz or concrete will naturally shine, but appliances also tend to steal the spotlight—for better or worse.

However, by integrating into your kitchen’s walls, built-in refrigerators free up floor space, opening a kitchen’s feel and workflow. Because of this, built-in refrigerators provide a new level of customization that is especially desirable when it comes to creating a kitchen that matches your design vision.

The choices of built-in refrigerators can be exciting, but understanding which style is the best for both your design and home is crucial for achieving a truly professional look that you’ll enjoy using, too. If you’re still wondering which built-in refrigeration is right for you, give this quick comparative blog a read to find all the answers!

luxury kitchen with separate stainless-steel built in column refrigerator and freezer

Traditional Built-in Installation vs. Flush Installation

No matter the style, every refrigerator uses a compressor. The purpose of a refrigerator compressor is to circulate refrigerant throughout the appliance. That refrigerant is then used to absorb heat, making it possible for a refrigerator to keep foods cool and fresh. The placement of the compressor plays an important role in determining how a built-in refrigerator will install into your kitchen.

Traditional Built-In Refrigerators

Most often, traditional built-in refrigerators are built with a compressor at the top of the unit. On top of keeping refrigerator shelves low and easy to access, top-mount refrigerators also tend to cool more efficiently. On the other hand, traditional built-in refrigerators tend to be taller that flush built-in refrigerators, averaging 84 inches in height. This may require special consideration in smaller kitchens.

Typically, a traditional built-in refrigerator will protrude a few inches out from the cabinetry, and is often fitted with a panel-ready overlay to allow the appliance to blend in even more with the surrounding cabinetry.

Sub-Zero product image of PRO Series top-mount built-in bottom-freezer refrigerator

Integrated Built-In Refrigerators

Integrated built-in refrigerators (also known as flush built-in refrigerators) primarily use a bottom-mount configuration. While most models average around 80 inches tall, which is less than their counterparts, the placement of the compressor below means shelves tend to sit higher. For taller individuals, this is a bonus, but it could be a drawback for others.

In contrast, a seamless built-in refrigerator will sit completely flush (sometimes called coplanar) with your cabinetry. Integrated refrigerators are often mounted with a matching overlay to achieve a truly invisible installation.

Sub-Zero flush built-in refrigerator with white panel overlay in modern kitchen

Column Refrigerators vs. All-in-One Refrigerators

When it comes to built-in refrigerators, there are two main options: all-in-one built-in refrigerators and column refrigerators.

All-in-one built-in refrigerators use essentially the same configuration as a freestanding refrigerator, with space to refrigerate and freeze foods all from the same appliances. While bottom-freezer built-in refrigerators are a popular choice, built-in French door, and side-by-side refrigerators are also available options.

Column refrigerator and freezer units, on the other hand, are single-purpose, only capable of either refrigerating or freezing. It might seem counterintuitive, but for kitchens blessed with enough space, using a column refrigerator and a column freezer side-by-side virtually doubles the amount of food storage space in a kitchen.

Design Inspiration

When it comes to built-in refrigerators, the question is “are you looking for impact or illusion?” While both all-in-one built-in refrigerators and column refrigerators are designed to deliver a sleek, professional look in your kitchen, each does so in different ways.

All-in-one built-ins will still free up the flow of your kitchen, but fans of the refrigerator style like the statement a traditional built-in refrigerator makes. Install two all-in-one built-in refrigerators next to another with opposing door hinges and you instantly get a traditional French door refrigerator experience but with double the refrigerator and freezer storage.

Sub-Zero PRO Series built-in all-in-one French door refrigerator

Since column refrigerators and freezers do not need to exist side by side, you can install a column refrigerator on one side of the kitchen and a column freezer opposite, or however suits the workflow in your kitchen. In fact, you can get really creative and install three columns—a freezer, wine column, and refrigerator—for an ultimate refrigeration combo.

What’s more, since column refrigerators and freezers feature an uninterrupted door design that can be fitted with panel overlays, these refrigerators are unmatched when it comes to creating a cohesive look that matches your kitchen cabinetry.

luxury kitchen with built-in Sub-Zero black-paneled column fridge and wine cooler

Pros and Cons of Built-In Refrigerator Styles

Beyond allowing you to create a custom kitchen look, built-in refrigerators are also luxury appliances, meaning the parts used to create them have been designed to last longer and perform better. In other words, regardless of which install type you choose, you can count on a built-in refrigerator manufactured from a reliable brand.

With that said, there are a few factors that should be considered when it comes to making a choice. While overall considerations, such as how much space your kitchen and personal taste vary from person to person, the following info are fundamental factors that should be considered for every purchase.

Pros to traditional built-in refrigerators:

Are easier to install than flush built-in refrigerators
Tend to cost less than flush built-in refrigerators

Cons to traditional built-in refrigerators:

Limited installation possibilities
Do not install completely flush with cabinetry

Pros to integrated refrigerators:

Virtually invisible installation
More installation possibilities
Slimmer width

Cons to integrated refrigerators:

Require special installation from knowledgeable installers
Installing two column refrigerators will double the appliance and installation cost

Husband and wife stand in pro-style kitchen next to a series of stainless-steel column refrigerators

You Make it Home, We Make it Impressive

With 25 Grand locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana, Grand Appliance and TV makes fulfilling your dream kitchen closer and easier than ever! Shop online or in-store today to find top luxury brands, including Wolf, and Sub-Zero, at consistently low prices, plus refrigerators, ranges, wall ovens, and more!

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Which Built-In Refrigerator Is Right for You?