Asked on Oct 24, 2017

Is it a bad idea to have my stove and refrigerator side-by-side?

Ach28553526
by Ach28553526
  19 answers
  • I have mine that way. It seems a little odd that the refrigerator side opens so that you are blocking the stove. I have mine opening toward the stove so I can reach in and grab an ingredient if I need it.

  • Fauxgal Fauxgal on Oct 24, 2017

    Your best situation is to have counter on both sides. But if you can't arrange it that way, then you have what you have.

  • 27524803 27524803 on Oct 24, 2017

    It is usually better if there is a least a small cabinet between them... but I have seen lots of small kitchens makeovers where they are next to each other.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 24, 2017

    It not that it is a bad idea it seems cumbersome

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Oct 24, 2017

    Refrigerators are insulated to keep the cold in, so I don't think it will hurt, but I have never had them side by side like that, I even have had them on different walls. You have to work with what you have. Perhaps you could put strong castors on the shelving unit on the other side of the fridge and put that between them. You could then pull out the shelving unit when you need something from it. If need be, you could make sure at least one of the castors has the ability to lock in place so it doesn't ever roll out.

  • Barb Barb on Oct 24, 2017

    Looks like you don't have the room to move it but You really should . Hanging the hot paid off the fridge is not a good Idea if it drops on the stove you could have a fire . Get suction cups and hang them on the glass to the oven door on the front.Maybe move the shelving and push the fridge over to the wall. Use the shelves in a closet if you have one for something else . Or put bins on the shelves and put it in another room where the food isn't seen .That will hold the food and hide it at the same time .

  • Ann Ann on Oct 24, 2017

    the cold temp of the fridge will fight the heat of the stove, so that costs electricity and time cooking or chilling. I suggest moving them

  • FL FL on Oct 24, 2017

    I hope not, because mine are that way.

  • Emily Emily on Oct 24, 2017

    My refrigerator is about 3" away from my stove. No other way to have it. Certainly not ideal esp as refrigerator part door can not open fully.

  • Ellis Ellis on Oct 24, 2017

    It's not great for the efficiency of your refrigerator (especially when the oven's on), and it makes your stove top confined. If you can, consider moving the fridge over to the wall, and getting a counter height cabinet to put in between the stove and refrigerator. It will give you a little work space, next to the stove, and provide a place for the pot handles on the left burners, away from heat.


    I agree about not hanging the pot holder there. My aunt burned her kitchen down that way--the pot holder fell on a still-hot burner and ignited, the flames spread to the cabinets, and that was it.

  • Carol Carol on Oct 24, 2017

    Put refrigerator where the shelves are now, and put the shleves in front of the window. You could even make a curtain for the shelves if you wanted to hide the contents.

  • Barb Barb on Oct 24, 2017

    This would look better see picture .Turn the fridg like this so the doors open in to the center of the kitchen. Turn the shelving against the window with the totes on it so you don't see the food .

    If it comes apart you could put a butcher block cutting board on it even with the stove only having 2 or 3 shelves giving you more counter space . Use the top of the fridge to put things on . Pots and pans on the shelf right next to the stove products on the bottom shelf in containers. Utensils on the board in a tall container . Just another Idea for you with a mock up I tried to do for you .

    • V Smith V Smith on Oct 26, 2017

      Todays appliances are usually well insulated and they can be placed next to each other. With that said, are you happy with this configuration? Judging by the woodwork around the windows I appears that you are in an older home or apartment. What else is behind the refrigerator? If it wouldn't block a doorway or cover a heat vent, I agree that the refrigerator should be moved to the other wall. That may mean that the water supply line would have to be re-run. I think your kitchen is too small for the shelving unit you are using. If you flip the fridge consider a taller thinner shelving unit or cabinet better to go higher in such a small space, and unblocking the window will really open up your space. At the very least you should consider moving the shelving unit and sliding the fridge over.

  • Connie Williams-Frech Connie Williams-Frech on Oct 25, 2017

    It looks like the window is blocked by the shelves and the refrigerator. Will the shelves move to in front of the window? At least you will have more light that way since your shelves aren't stuffed full. Then you can move your refrigerator over to where the shelves were. This way when you open either the freezer door or the refrigerator door access will be much easier. It also looks like it will open up a little more floor space so you can move around easier. Good Luck!

  • Lynn Lynn on Oct 26, 2017

    I am a kitchen designer, and I've seen this a lot.

    Although, as someone said, new appliances are very well insulated. I don't see a fan or vent over your stove.

    I am not sure what you budget is, but you should move the fridge to the left but leave at least 3" between the wall and frIdge.

    I would add a microwave hood or a short cabinet and hood over the stove. That would give you room for a small wall cabinet next to it, and a base cabinet. They make small base cabinets that pull out, for better access

    if this sounds confusing let me know, and I'll draw you a picture. Good luck.


  • Sharon Henry Sharon Henry on Oct 26, 2017

    Not the most ideal but it can work if both appliances are very new. Insulated better in the last few years.

  • Sharon Sharon on Oct 26, 2017

    I would remove that wire pantry shelving and slide the frig over about 10". Build a mini cabinet with a countertop on top to match your other countertop to the left of the stove. The cabinet below could be a slide out for your spices, or cookie sheets. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a7YH7BKsjo&t=16s

    Then on the left of the frig build a big slide out pantry..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqYHVhNacsw

  • B. Enne B. Enne on Oct 28, 2017

    It is not ideal. Building code here stipulates putting a counter on either side of the range for safety reasons.


    Since you have the room and more than 1 option, I would move it over to where the shelf is, or as Bshuh suggested turn it on the other wall.


    http://community.homedepot.com/howto/DiscussionDetail/FridgeStove-Proximity-9065000000007N1

  • Ellis Ellis on Oct 29, 2017

    Yup, and she got a lot more careful about her pot holders and dish towels!

  • Sue Martin Sue Martin on Jan 12, 2021

    Mine is like that but with a cabinet & counter top between them, which is our coffee/tea station.