Change the direction that the refrigerator door swings if doing so frees up more space in the kitchen. I have a similar space, right up against a wall in my kitchen and I have a french door fridge. A minimum of 12 inches of landing space on one side of the stove, and another 15 inches on the other side, are the required landing area widths. P.S. Ours is completely held in place by the wall and the fridge. The fridge is next to a wall and as it sits now, the client cannot fully access the side next to the wall. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do with the space? Allow at least 1" (2.5 cm) between back of cabinet and the wall. 3 inches on the top. There should then be enough space at the side of the unit to prevent any handles from hitting the wall. This tall narrow cabinet uses the extra space between cabinets and appliances to create a perfect storage area, ideal for a spice rack. it's a farmouse style kitchen. If you have a full depth cabinet on the top, you automatically have space at the top and in most cases you will have leave at least 1 inch of extra room for the back of the refrigerator, so … Use this measurement to determine what items might fit there. The free space at the rear side of the refrigerator is most important if the compressor coils are located there. This compact-size pantry is a great solution for smaller kitchens. Note: In cabinet installation for countertop microwaves is not recommended without the use of a built in kit. The added depth might be enough to align it with surrounding countertops. I'm thinking of placing a 24" base and wall cabinet between the fridge and range so I can have some counter space between the two, however my contractor suggests 18" instead. It’s not particularly accessible for oft-used items, but it’s a shame to have the space go to waste, especially in a small kitchen. Sides. Rear. Allow 3" (7.5 cm) of space between overhead cabinets and refrigerator top. recommended to allow a ¹⁄₂" (1.25 cm) space on each side. Finding hidden storage in the kitchen is always a treat. Some of these examples involve clever built-ins, but many will work for renters, too. Do you think I should keep that 24 inches or extend it to at least 30? Plan for Sufficient Counter Space You need at least 36 inches or clear, uninterrupted counter space for prep work -- and 42 inches is better if you roll out dough. I really don't want or need another pantry. Some very large refrigerators can need up to 9 inches for door swing clearance. There is only about 2 inches at most between them, and because the other of the fridge pushes against the fuse box, there isn't much to work with. I'm sure there are some legislations around the world that mandate some distance or another as a minimum for commercial and even residential settings. There is too large a gap to use on the fridge side. If you have a counter with tiers of different heights, you still must provide these minimums on the same level as the cooking surface. When there is not enough free space around the fridge, it displays a few specific symptoms. 4. Think about those empty corners, the space above your stove or toilet, the exterior walls behind your flower beds, even the half-an-inch behind your furniture -- all of that space can be used to add more storage, style, or sophistication to your home! The person who built our refrigerator cabinet box only left 1" for ventilation at the top of the refrigerator. This can result in discoloration of the refrigerator's surface. Measure the width of the space from the end of the cabinet to the side of the fridge. Allow for 1" (2.54 cm) of space behind the refrigerator. Get shopping advice from experts, friends and the community! Before cutting into a wall, ask your builder or remodeler to check the wall's structure and add reinforcement if necessary. Think about those empty corners, the space above your stove or toilet, the exterior walls behind your flower beds, even the half-an-inch behind your furniture -- all of that space can be used to add more storage, style, or sophistication to your home! The fridge door on the wall side of the enclosure does hit the wall when it is open - but then it opens so far it almost lays back flat. Separating Work Centers: A full-height, full-depth, tall obstacle [i.e., a pantry cabinet or refrigerator] should not separate two primary work centers. How to Use the Space Between a Refrigerator and a Cabinet. How to measure your kitchen for your new refrigerator. Get shopping advice from experts, friends and the community! Well, a door with a 30mm depth handle on a standard base unit would require about 50mm of space between the unit and the wall. Whirlpool is committed to helping you find a refrigerator with the right features for your family and the right fit for your kitchen. The manual says: To ensure proper air circulation around the fridge, please maintain sufficient space on both the sides as well as top and maintain at least 2 inches (5cm) from the rear wall. the majority of models will need at least the following space measurements: Not leaving proper space could result in poor refrigerator performance and possibly even fire.