What are my options for a fridge with water/ice that can fit a 33″ width and 69″ height clearance without removing cabinets above?
Asked by Marcos Lozano 
5 months ago
Last Updated: July 26, 2024
We’re looking for a fridge that dispenses water and ice and can accommodate a 33″ width. The maximum height we have available is only 69″, which is shorter than usual. I really don’t want to remove the cabinets above entirely. Any suggestions for alternatives? I just need an extra 1.5″ of space! đ
This is the reason why standards should always be kept consistent!
Consider lowering your floor by 1.5 inches. If not, you’ll need to take out the cabinet or switch to a shorter fridge. You could also add a shelf above if you prefer.
Try lifting the cabinets. They might not be as securely fastened as you’d expect!
Na Zimmerman, the ceiling lowers in that area, so they can’t be raised.
Could you show us a photo of that area? Maybe elevate the section above the fridge and trim it to make it cohesive?
Take down the cabinet, trim two inches, and raise the bottom. Remove the doors, trim 1 1/2 inches, and adjust the hinge placement. Then reinstall.
I took a jigsaw and trimmed the bottom of the cabinet…
Yeah, I’ve witnessed this being done to accommodate the fridge.
Remove the cabinet and install a couple of shelves above the fridge.
Simply lift the cabinet up, then trim, sand, and finish the edge. It will be slightly higher than the rest, but no big deal.
Are you proposing the removal of the soffit in that specific area?
The soffits are located on the exterior of your house. Maybe you are referring to something else?
It’s also the area above kitchen cabinets that’s enclosed, like in my kitchen.
Can you explain what’s making you laugh? You can always look up ‘kitchen soffit’ đ¤Śđ˝ââď¸
You’re pretty clever…but it’s not obvious from your picture…have you considered that??!!
Had to remove a cabinet and ended up taking out the soffit. Unless your stove vent goes through that area, those soffits are just empty space above. Adding new uppers to the ceiling would be the best long-term solution if you really need more cabinet space.
A while back, some friends of mine took out the cabinets (very carefully) to make room for the fridge. The cabinets ended up fitting perfectly above the fridge, so they could still be used. Not sure about your measurements, but it could be an option.
Consider raising all the cabinets. There is plenty of space above them and they seem low compared to your countertops. It might take longer to take things out and put them back, than to actually do the work.
This!
If she raises the cabinets, they will be really high, and she won’t be able to reach anything unless she’s tall.
A few inches is considered “very high”? 𤣠I never mentioned taking them all the way to the ceiling. đ¤Łđ¤Łđ¤Ł
Are you aware that removing the soffit above means tearing down drywall and framing?
Seems to have a soffit above the cabinets
I can’t believe some of the comments I’m reading… The suggestion to “just raise the cabinet” is not as easy as it seems. Unless you’re quite skilled, it’s not a straightforward task. There’s a soffit above that needs to be cut and removed, and if you’re lucky, there may be drywall behind it, possibly finished but not guaranteed. While it might not be a major job for a handyman or contractor, for a DIYer, it’s definitely not a simple task of just moving it up.
There’s actually a bulk head there. Removing that would be necessary, and there’s a possibility of something behind it that would need to be moved. Raising the cabinets isn’t as simple as it sounds.
You’re absolutely right. I missed the soffit on my phone. Even though it requires more effort, it’s probably still the best option.
Oh, I missed the soffit in the pictures. It’s definitely the better choice, even if it requires extra effort. Having some space will improve the kitchen layout. Plus, it would be odd to have anything obstructing the soffit, which could complicate the project.
Raise all of them up or maybe consider staggered cabinets đ¤
Take out the cabinet, trim 3/4 inch from the top and bottom, and replace it. If you’re not comfortable using a circular saw, a jigsaw can also do the job.
If you want more space, consider taking out the drywall above the cabinet to gain an additional half inch.
The cabinet space is not that important. You could just remove it and move forward.
Exactly, . It’s known as the ‘black hole cabinet’ because once you place something inside, you’ll never find it again. 𤣠I would definitely get rid of it
Has always been like that! Itâs consistently been a super awkward cabinet for storage. Mine has items inside…but I always forget what’s in there!
The simplest way forward would be to uninstall the cabinet and install a new one that matches.
Getting rid of the cabinet is the easiest option. Would you consider modifying the cabinet, or perhaps replacing it with a shorter one if available? You can start by removing the doors, shortening them from the top to hide any rough edges. Then, trim 2 inches from the bottom of the cabinet and craft a new bottom piece that matches the wood and stain – this might be the trickiest part. Another idea is to eliminate the soffit and raise all the cabinets, but remember the soffit might be concealing a duct and could require retiling the backsplash.
Elevate the upper cabinets… completed
I understand not wanting to take down cabinets but… we took ours down since we weren’t using them, reinstalled them above the washer and dryer where a cabinet was needed, consider finding a replacement for concealing items or simply a shelf for decoration
Please ignore the suggestions about raising the cabinets. Works well for taller individuals. Sink the fridge, consider cutting a hole in the floor or lowering it. Voila, problem solved.
Hey there! ‘t forget to seal up any gaps after you put the new fridge in its spot on the floor. Can’t let those bugs in.
Go team! đ
The back side of almost all refrigerators is under 69 inches in height. Although the fronts may be taller, the backs should still fit properly.
We ended up choosing Bosch because they had a model with French doors that was compact enough for that area.
The fridge’s height is measured at the front hinges, so it’s probably under 69 inches in the back. I had a similar experience – someone gave me a new full-size fridge when I had a small one, and I didn’t think it would fit. But it worked out and that’s how I measured it.
If the refrigerator comes with removable feet, make sure to remove them
Get rid of the cabinets and put in some oak shelves instead, try to match the color of the cabinets. You can still store your things and clear off the counter at the same time. Just put whatever you need on the shelf and you’re good to go.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Samsung-17-5-cu-ft-3-Door-French-Door-Smart-Refrigerator-in-Stainless-Steel-Counter-Depth-RF18A5101SR/315868024
Consider getting a fridge that fits better. There are fridges available that are 67″ tall, which worked for us with the same measurements when we bought one from Lowe’s.
Honestly, a regular fridge probably would have fit as well. The bottom line is, don’t tamper with your cabinets đ
I’m starting to lose faith in this group đ¤Śđťââď¸
I think we all do. đ
Sometimes you just have to go for it and remove the cabinet. You’ll appreciate the extra storage space above once it’s done.
I raised the bottom of my cabinet to match the new measurement since I faced a similar situation. It seems like your cabinet doors are trickier than mine as mine are flat, so I simply trimmed them at the top.
Not sure where you’re located. I removed my cabinet and had a cabinet shop cut it down to accommodate the larger fridge while keeping the cabinet intact.
Thanks, everyone!!! We’ve decided to wait until the fridge arrives to see if any adjustments are necessary, as some have mentioned the back being shorter than the front. If needed, we’ll take out the cabinet and replace it with a shelf or find a shorter one. Larger renovations like removing the soffit to raise the cabinets or cutting into the floor are not on our list, but I really appreciate all the advice.
We encountered the same issue. We had a carpenter redo the overhead cabinet by adjusting the door placement and trimming the base strip. You might gain the extra 1.5 inches you need, but it wouldn’t hurt to double-check. Our fridge is the GE Profile 2-door, 2-drawer model, quite large, and fits perfectly. It’s almost counter-depth, which could work for you too. I’ll never go back to a side-by-side fridge, terrible storage space. Best of luck!
Make sure to measure the fridge’s feet for enough clearance space
That refrigerator should fit, right?
If you have a specific model in mind, check the specifications online. Most refrigerators I checked were below 71 inches. The last one I purchased was 69 inches. Your issue seems simple to me because the fridge cabinet can be raised by less than the 3 inches it may require, without complicating things.
Ruth Morales, in order to raise the cabinet, I’d have to take out the soffit, but that’s not on our to-do list at the moment, Rachel Moore.
I had a custom cabinet made that’s a bit shorter to go above my fridge, .
This fridge of mine has a shorter back height compared to the front….68 3/8â tall at the back and 70 1/8â tall at the front because of the doors. You probably won’t have to relocate any cabinets.
I assured them the doors and lower shelf, while granting them the top shelf of the cupboard to showcase beautiful dishes I rarely use.
I said I would take the doors and bottom shelf, so I ended up giving them the top shelf to showcase my unused pretty dishes.
Why not just ditch the cabinets? I mean, really, who actually puts anything useful or meaningful in there? It’s usually just a space for storing things you’ll never use in 13 years. So, get rid of it and get the fridge you actually want. Simple as that…
Totally! I also have one of those that I plan on getting rid of.
This looks like every old kitchen I’ve seen. Will the doors fit? If so, you can remove the bottom and add a shelf. If not, you may need new doors and a new bottom rail or turn it into an open storage space. There are many custom door makers online. You can probably find a red oak raised panel with an arched bead/ogee frame profile. It’s a popular style. Check out nudoors.com. Professionals recommend that site.
You can make changes to the cabinet by carefully removing and dismantling it. Cut down the necessary parts and then reassemble it. Be sure to cut 3/4â off the top and bottom of the doors, reroute and refinish them. Keep in mind that the doors may not match perfectly after these adjustments.
Iâve done this numerous times when switching out vent hood for microwave. It usually gets the job done.
I would definitely remove those cabinets.
We encountered the exact same issue. We simply moved it up a few inches.
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