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I think most people would agree that the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where all the meals are prepared, where everyone goes to fetch a snack or a drink, and where family members often gather. It’s a room you spend a lot of time in. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that this room is receiving a lot of attention when it comes to building and remodeling. Lots of new trends have come along for kitchens in the past few years. One of the most dramatic is the fully integrated kitchen, including an integrated fridge.

An integrated kitchen is one in which everything matches – cabinets and appliances. There’s a seamless flow, with no metal appliances visible. An integrated refrigerator is part of this decorating scheme. Integrated refrigerators are fitted with a wooden panel over the door that’s crafted to match your cabinetry. An integrated fridge door is stained or painted and routed or fitted with molding and hardware to completely match the wooden cabinets in your kitchen.

Standard refrigerators have to be placed where they have enough air space around them for proper ventilation, but integrated refrigerators are different. Most of them are ventilated from the front instead of from the back like older refrigerators, so they can be placed anywhere.

Integrated fridges come in several different styles. Homeowners might choose an appliance that’s all refrigerator space, or one that’s a combination integrated refrigerator freezer. Configurations can include models with the freezer on top or on the bottom. Side-by-side units are also available, along with slide-out refrigerator or freezer drawers.

If you decide at some point in the future that you need more cooling area, it’s easy to add an under counter fridge or freezer that will match your existing kitchen décor. You can even add an ultra chic wine cooler!

Many homeowners are using the integrated fridge freezers in other rooms in the house, too. They make great additions to family rooms, home bars, game rooms, and mother-in-law suites. They’ll fit in practically anywhere!

Integrated refrigerators come in several different sizes, and most of these new units are very energy efficient, which will save you money on your power bill. Some have handy alarms that alert you when the door or refrigerator drawer is left ajar – another energy-saving characteristic. Many integrated fridges also have electronic controls upfront that are super simple to use.

Another wonderful point about most integrated fridges or integrated fridge freezers is that they have specific temperature zones for different types of foods. This allows different foods to be kept at their optimum storage temperatures, increasing their storage life – yet another money-saving feature.

If you’re building or remodeling, consider adding a fully integrated fridge or integrated fridge freezer to your kitchen or other rooms in your home. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what a difference this type of appliance will make in the appearance of the room, and you’ll love all the handy functions an integrated refrigerator offers.