When you purchase a new refrigerator just measure the old refrigerator as well as the cabinet.
Clearance to open refrigerator door.
My 33 side by side has a 20 inch door so a 21 inch pantry is in the corner for proper spacing to fully open the door.
So plan on the width of the door to be opened.
The other issue is the width of 15 year old or older refrigerators.
These refrigerators need very little clearance on the sides typically 1 4 to 1 2 inch for.
Standard refrigerator dimensions vary depending on the type of refrigerator.
However most of the issues are height.
This makes them ideal for small spaces because they require less clearance than the traditional refrigerators.
With all the crap hanging from the door you need to open it almost 180 degrees to clear all the shelves.
Refrigerators are designed for these cabinets widths.
Many of the newer refrigerators are taller than the older products of 10 15 years ago.
When it comes to the door opening of a new refrigerator you need to think about how far the door will open and fill the space of your kitchen.
Refrigerators are available in a number of standard sizes which fit into 30 33 or 36 inch wide spaces.
The standard depth of a refrigerator extends about six inches past the front edge of the counters.
Whether you are envisioning a bottom freezer top freezer side by side or french door model fridge you can expect a standard fridge to have exterior measurements that range from 28 3 4 inches to 39 3 4 inches in width 61 3 4 inches to 71 1 4 inches in height and 28 3 4 inches to 34 5 8 inches in depth.
It s always tricky putting a fridge next to the wall because of clearance unless you have a sub zero or something similar.
Generally the refrigerator is 2 inches narrower than the opening.
Many refrigerators need to be open to 90 degrees or more to allow full access to vegetable and door bins.