Retro Fridge Freezers
Retro fridge freezers are an excellent option to add some personality to a kitchen. They're particularly popular in kitchens with a country theme and can add a unique quirk to modern spaces too.
Freestanding models are taller and employ SpaceMax technology that allows walls to be thinner without impacting the efficiency of energy. Freestanding models are taller and they make use of SpaceMax technology that allows walls to be thinner but still preserving the energy efficiency.
What are they?
Retro fridge freezers are an excellent way to bring an element of character and style to your kitchen. They're typically designed to resemble 50s-style refrigerators, and come in a range of bold colors. They are a great addition to country kitchens, bringing an edgy look or bring a sense of nostalgia to modern kitchens.
The brand that best embodies the retro look is Smeg and is known for its stunning fridge freezers that feature chrome trim and bright colours. Smeg fridge freezers come in different sizes and styles including narrow, tall, compact and side by side.
Montpellier also has a range of retro fridges available in smaller and larger sizes. This fashionable Montpellier retro fridge freezer RF603N4RDUK is a great model that can be incorporated into most kitchen colour schemes. It has a generous 244 litre capacity that is equivalent to around 13 bags of grocery shopping and has a salad drawer for prioritising fresh greens. Other features include an inverter compressor to improve energy efficiency, and an easy "quick freeze" mode that allows to speed up the process of making ice.
Big Chill is also worth looking into its selection of retro fridges. Retropolitan is available in beach-blue and buttercup yellow, as well as cherry red. It also comes in jadeite, green, orange, pink, lemonade and turquoise. If none of those vibrant hues appeal suitable for you, you can always order one in a custom color for an extra $400 fee.
There are a number of affordable options as well, like this 210-litre retro fridge from Amica. The blue hue of the duck egg is sure to make a statement in your kitchen, and it is surprisingly large inside with three shelves of safety glass and two balconies with doors, a salad crisper, and a wine rack. It comes with an A+ rating for energy efficiency, a manual defrost refrigerator, and an auto defrost.
Swan and Servis are two other manufacturers that offer a wide collection of retro fridge freezers. They offer a range of colours, but their most popular models are in classic cream and chilli red. The former is an excellent option if you want to match your fridge to other red appliances, while the latter can bring a touch of elegance to any kitchen.
Why are they so popular?
The fridge freezer does not need to blend in. It can be a focal piece in your kitchen, if you select a retro revival design. These designs are reminiscent 1950s refrigerators, and are characterized by bold colors, curved edges and chunky handles. Available in a variety of stand-out colours such as red, blue and green, these models will instantly bring brightness to your kitchen.
Smeg is the leading brand in this space, offering an impressive array of finishes and styles. Their iconic retro refrigerators are available in striking colors such as red, blue, and orange. They are targeted at design-lovers and nostalgic fans. With a variety of handles and interior finishes, you can choose the perfect Smeg fridge that will fit your personal taste.
Another brand that has an excellent range of retro refrigerators is Gorenje. Their stunning RF60309 model is a prime illustration of how these appliances combine timeless designs with high-end 21st century technology. This fridge is a beautiful addition to any kitchen. It has an A+ energy rating.
Swan and Montpellier also have a wide selection of retro refrigerator freezers. These brands come in a variety of colors including classic cream to chilli, and also have larger capacities.
These fridges come with wine racks and glass safety shelf and an ice box that is freestanding. They also come with anti-bacterial protection, which can help limit the spread of germs and boost hygiene. Many feature dynamic cooling, which ensures that the cold air circulates effectively throughout the fridge and freezer.
While these fridges might be more expensive than the ultra-modern American or French Door models, they're often cheaper than standard fridge freezers in plain white. They also have a more "feel" than more contemporary appliances, with chunky handles and chrome trims on the two doors.
Baumatic has a retro-style refrigerator freezer that is priced affordably. The compact model is available in a stunning royal blue with 246 litres of capacity. The fridge has a decent energy rating and is self-defrosting. It also has an internal salad drawer and wine rack.
What is their purpose?
Retro fridge freezers aren't the typical appliances. They're bold pieces that add personality to any kitchen. While they're typically smaller than modern American-style refrigerators that doesn't mean you're forced to sacrifice storage space. Retro fridge-freezers feature a variety of shelving options, including shorter shelves for butter sticks taller shelves for single-serve water bottles and smaller cartons, and smaller drawers for produce. Some models also offer HarvestFresh technology, which uses a three-colour light system to mimic the sun's 24-hour light cycle and keep the freshness of vegetables and fruits for longer.
Consider the two-door Big Chill fridge If you're looking for a retro-style fridge that's not overly expensive. Launched in the US by the uncle-and-nephew pair Thom Vernon and Orion Creamer, this brand has quickly become a cult favorite (Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are among its many fans). The Big Chill fridge is available in a variety of vibrant colors such as cherry red and blue and milkshake-white and black vinyl. It comes with 12 cubic feet of storage space and a separate freezer and comes with a guarantee.
This Hisense retro fridge/freezer in Bordeaux is a budget-friendly alternative. It has a 300L capacity and a 60/40 split of the freezer and refrigerator. Both freezer and fridge have adjustable shelves, no-frost technology and interior LED lighting. It is Energy Star-certified and comes with a handy alarm that informs you if the door was left open.
The RF60309 Retro fridge-freezer made by Gorenje is a stylish option that is fashionable and practical. It blends timeless design with modern technology that will appeal to anyone who appreciates quality and wants to make their kitchen a real focal point. The stunning RF60309 comes with three compartments that can be used to store well-stacked frozen food items. It also features an ambient switch that allows it to function even at temperatures of -10 degrees Celsius. This model is available in a range of stunning colors.
What are the best?
Retro fridge freezers can make an impressive impression in your kitchen and are generally cheaper than modern American or French Door models. A retro fridge freezer that has attractive features like water and ice dispensers will enhance the value of your home. It is important to select one that is compatible with your kitchen and your lifestyle. You can also select a model with built in features for food preservation to keep your fresh produce as it was when it was new.
The heritage brands like Smeg and Swan offer a variety of fridge freezers that are vibrant. Big Chill is famous in the USA for its refrigerators, has now made it to the UK. The most popular model from the brand has capacities of up to 680 litres that is equivalent to more than 40 shopping bags. fridge freezer retro is packed with storage space inside, including adjustable shelves and the salad drawer. There are also two shelves that are removable within the freezer compartment. The reviews for this particular model are mostly positive, with customers praising the stylish design and impressive storage capacity. Some have expressed concern about the quality of the finish though, and some say that it takes some time for the fridge to cool down after adding food items.
Amica is a renowned brand that is a specialist in 1950s-style fridge freezers. This tall, freestanding model comes in a stand-out duck egg blue and offers the generous 234-litre fridge capacity and 96 litre freezer space, which is ideal for families with a large number of children. It offers plenty of internal storage space, with four safety glass shelves and a salad drawer that prioritises fresh greens, as well as a chrome wine rack and metal handles. The appliance comes with an A+ energy rating and the frost-free system eliminates manual defrosting.
If you're looking for something more affordable you're not going to be disappointed with a Liebherr fridge freezer. This model is 50/50 and has a useful rapid cool feature that chills food quickly after you've added your food items, and has a fast freeze setting to freeze large batches of leftovers. It's also easy to keep clean with a clean and hygienic interior and LED lighting. It's worth noting that a few reviewers on the internet have complained that the fridge is delivered with scratches and doesn't always cool as effectively as they'd like.