At a Glance:
What Is a Panel Ready Refrigerator?
Types of Panel Ready Refrigerators
Pros of Panel Ready Refrigerators
Cons of Panel Ready Refrigerators
Before Buying a Panel Ready Refrigerator
Panel Ready Refrigerators We Recommend
When it comes to home appliances, refrigerators are some of the most indispensable items a homeowner needs. Not only do they keep all your food and beverages cool and fresh, but these days, the refrigerator can be customized to elevate a kitchen’s aesthetics. With today's ever-evolving technology, panel ready refrigerators on the market offer homeowners extra options for blending their new appliances into their existing decor.
See why we’re fans of this refrigerator style as we give you all the details, including a look at a few of our favorite models.
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Shop NowWhat Is a Panel Ready Refrigerator?
A panel-ready refrigerator has a front panel that can be customized to match your kitchen cabinets. To complement your kitchen's design, this panel can be made of various materials, including wood or stainless steel.
For people who want their kitchen to have a consistent look, panel-ready refrigerators are a stylish and smooth solution. What’s more, a panel ready refrigerator cover can be later changed to match the kitchen decor if a homeowner decides on a makeover.
Types of Panel Ready Refrigerators
Various types of panel ready refrigerators are available in the market, designed to cater to diverse preferences and needs.
For instance, some people might opt for a French door refrigerator with wider shelves and double-door convenience. In contrast, others might prefer a bottom freezer refrigerator to access frozen items easily. On the other hand, a side-by-side refrigerator offers separate compartments for fresh and frozen foods, giving you the advantage of well-organized storage.
Other options, like under-counter or compact fridges, are perfect for those with limited space or looking to create a minimalist or modern kitchen design.
With so much diversity, panel ready refrigerators have become the hero in designer kitchens. That’s why so many homeowners are splurging to have the look they truly desire in their favorite space at home.
French Door Panel Ready Refrigerators
French door panel ready refrigerators offer seamless integration into your kitchen's design. They can effortlessly blend with your cabinetry, bringing sophistication and style to your culinary space.
With their dual-door design, these stylish refrigerators provide ample space to organize your groceries, ensuring everything is within arm's reach, all while retaining the optimal temperature to keep your food fresh and flavorful. Although most buyers shop for a French door refrigerator for its looks, the signature door design isn’t as much of a factor with a panel-ready front, so keep that in mind.
Panel Ready Refrigerator Drawers
Panel ready refrigerator drawers are an exciting addition to kitchen design and functionality, offering seamless integration into your home's aesthetic. With refrigerator drawers, panel ready fronts provide the perfect combination of style and practicality, fulfilling your storage needs while maintaining a stunning and cohesive appearance in your space. Homeowners who want refrigeration in a bar, kitchen island, or are simply looking for some more space to put extra produce, drinks, and snacks often include one of these panel ready refrigerators in their kitchen.
Side-By-Side Panel Ready Refrigerators
Imagine a kitchen with a sleek, streamlined aesthetic, complete with side-by-side panel ready refrigerator that virtually disappears into its surroundings.
Not only does a panel ready side by side refrigerator provide an eye-catching look, but they also make organization a breeze with their generous storage capacities and convenient pullout freezer drawers. Plus, with customizable cooling options and advanced features, you have full control over the temperature and humidity settings, ensuring optimal conditions for preserving the freshness of your food.
Panel Ready Undercounter Refrigerator
Under the counter panel ready refrigerators are another great refrigeration solution for homeowners who need supplemental food storage. This design is crafted specifically to fit beneath countertops, maintaining a unified look with your existing cabinetry. In addition, the convenient panel ready design allows for customization with your choice of kitchen decor, whether traditional wood or a sleek, minimalist finish.
Pros of Panel Ready Refrigerators
Here’s a quick recap of all the benefits panel ready refrigerators offer.
✅ Aesthetic Appeal: A seamless, unified appearance in your kitchen is one of the key benefits of panel ready refrigerators. Give your refrigerator a sleek appearance that improves the look of your kitchen overall by letting it merge with your cabinetry.
✅ Cleaning Done Easily: Cleaning is often simpler with panel ready refrigerators than standard refrigerators because the front panel can be cleaned alongside your cabinets. The likelihood of dirt or debris getting stuck in difficult-to-reach places is decreased because there are no apparent seams or gaps between the refrigerator and the cabinets.
✅ Customizability: Panel ready refrigerators offer a level of design versatility that conventional refrigerators do not, as they may be made to match the style, color, and finish of your cabinetry. You can select the level of customization that best satisfies your needs and tastes from options including full-overlay, partial-overlay, integrated, built-in, and column refrigerators.
✅ Generate and Better Function: Specific panel ready refrigerators, including column refrigerators, offer more versatility in organization and storage. They offer greater storage space for items like wine bottles or fresh fruit and can be tailored to your needs.
✅ High-End Appearance: Panel ready refrigerators can increase the value of your property and are frequently linked with higher-end kitchens. They produce a sleek, upscale appearance commonly seen in high-end homes and can make your kitchen look more upscale.
Cons of Panel Ready Refrigerators
On the other hand, there are a few considerations buyers should contemplate before purchasing a panel ready refrigerator. These are the main reasons some shoppers should stay away from this type of refrigerator.
❌ Increased Price: Due to the customization, panel ready refrigerators are often more expensive than regular refrigerators. Given that panel ready alternatives are frequently found in more expensive appliances, the price of the refrigerator itself might also be higher.
❌ Additional Lead Time: Panel ready refrigerators require extra lead time for installation. This is due to the customized design and fitting process needed to match the kitchen cabinetry seamlessly.
❌ Panel Care: Suppose the panel on a panel ready refrigerator is constructed of a material sensitive to scratching or damage. In that case, it may need additional maintenance and attention. As a broken panel must be made to fit your cabinets, replacing it could also be more challenging.
Before Buying a Panel Ready Refrigerator
Buying a refrigerator alone is an up-and-down journey, so considering a panel ready model only adds another factor to consider. Ultimately, the best choice comes down to your personal needs, taste, and budget, but other points you should consider include:
Dimensions
To ensure that the refrigerator will fit in the location where you wish to install it, make sure to measure the space. Be sure to measure the refrigerator's actual measurements.
Brand and Warranty
Reserach several panel-ready refrigerator brands and models to find out which ones offer the features and customizability possibilities you're looking for. Check the manufacturer's warranty to protect the refrigerator against any potential flaws or problems.
Installation
Panel-ready refrigerators may need a professional installer, specialized equipment, and knowledge during installation. Keep in mind that this will add to the cost of a panel ready refrigerator.
Panel Ready Refrigerators We Recommend
Ready to put some style into your kitchen? Here are three great panel ready refrigerator examples for you to get your creative juices flowing.
Monogram® 13.3 Cu. Ft. Custom Panel Integrated Column Refrigerator
Shop this Monogram® Panel Ready Refrigerator
This Monogram® panel ready column refrigerator is a sleek fusion of style and function designed to elevate your kitchen experience! Effortlessly slide its drawers with a unique mechanism that ensures an ultra-gentle and full closure. Keep your veggies crisp and fresh with humidity control, and indulge in pure, revitalizing water thanks to a built-in filtration system. With over 13 cubic feet of capacity, this premium refrigerator offers plenty of space for fresh produce, including four shelves and door bins, plus a two drawers for deli items, vegetables, and fruits.
The added bonus of an autofill pitcher on the inside frees up your hands when you’re tied up, meanwhile Wi-Fi connectivity gives users the power to control and monitor this refrigerator from a smartphone or tablet.
Perlick® C-Series 5.2 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Refrigerator Drawers
Shop this Perlick® Panel Ready Refrigerator Drawers
Experience the ultimate mix of design and features with this Perlick panel ready double drawer refrigerator. Its sleek build keeps your kitchen clutter-free with a good amount of room inside spacious dual drawers, perfect for storing everything from beverages to snacks. Effortlessly find your items, thanks to adjustable LED lights illuminating the drawer as it opens. Plus, enjoy the confidence of temperature monitoring with an industry-exclusive front-vented RAPIDcool forced-air refrigeration system.
The Perlick panel ready refrigerator drawer is designed for kitchens that go for the gourmet from brands that are innovators in their class.
Signature Kitchen Suite 19.3 Cu. Ft. Panel Ready Built In French Door Refrigerator
Shop this Signature Kitchen Suite Panel Ready Refrigerator
The Signature Kitchen Suite panel ready French door refrigerator is an all-in-one customizable food storage solution. Bring home the only built in refrigerator panel ready that boasts a versatile 5-mode convertible drawer and enjoy the luxury of choosing from chilled wine, delectable deli, sumptuous seafood, icy cold drinks, or even transform it into a freezer. And with more than 19 cubic feet of food storage, this 36” panel ready refrigerator is generous enough for a full-size household.
Panel-ready refrigerators with integration can be a wonderful addition to any kitchen, providing both aesthetic and practicality. The possibility of designing your refrigerator to blend perfectly with your cabinetry can be well worth the investment, even though they come with additional costs and installation issues. Luckily, our experts at Friedmans Appliance are happy to answer all your panel ready refrigerator questions. Browse our selection online or visit our Pleasant Hill appliance store near you today!
Why Trust Friedmans Appliance?
Established in 1922, Friedmans Appliance has been the most trusted name in the Bay Area for over 100 years. What started as a small appliance store in Oakland has expanded to include every appliance you need for your home. Our commitment to value, inspiration, and character has only grown, creating an unbeatable reputation for top-notch appliances. At Friedmans, we strive to give our customers the best of the best, including our selection of top appliance brands and our exceptional customer service. Speaking of which, we offer a 100-day price guarantee on all our products — the longest in the industry!
Our wide selection of appliances is just one of the reasons we’re the best Bay Area appliance store. We carry refrigerators in every style, every cooking appliance to show off your chef skills, and every dishwasher or laundry appliance you need for cleanup.
Shop Panel Ready Refrigerators at Friedmans
See for yourself why Friedmans is a trusted name in the Bay Area and shop the panel ready refrigerators online. While we are located in Pleasant Hill, we deliver to all of Northern California — even Reno! If you have any questions, our team is always happy to help you find a panel ready refrigerator for your home, whether you call us at 925-808-2950, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by our appliance store in Pleasant Hill to experience the quality in person. Visit us today!
→ Learn more: 5 Black French Door Refrigerator Models That Redefine Kitchen Design