Retro Fridge Freezers
Retro fridge freezers are a great option to add some personality to a kitchen. They are a popular choice for country kitchens, but they can also add a fun touch to modern spaces.
Integrated models are designed to sit within your cupboards and don't take up floor space. Freestanding models are taller and they make use of SpaceMax technology that allows the walls to be thinner and still maintain the efficiency of energy.
What are they?
Retro fridge freezers are a fantastic 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're great for country kitchens, bringing a bold quirk, or they can bring an air of nostalgia to modern-day spaces.
The brand that best embodies the retro style is Smeg and is known for their stunning fridge freezers with chrome trim and bright colors. Smeg fridge freezers are available in a variety of sizes and styles including small, tall, narrow and side by sides.
Montpellier also has a range of retro fridges, both smaller and larger sizes. This stylish Montpellier retro fridge freezer RF603N4RDUK can be a fantastic model that would fit in with the majority of kitchen color schemes. It has a generous capacity of 244 litres which is equivalent to 13 bags of groceries, and comes with a drawer for salad greens. Other features include an inverter compressor to improve energy efficiency, and the handy "quick freeze" mode that allows for speedy ice-making.
Big Chill also has a collection of retro refrigerators. Its Retropolitan line is available in beach blue, buttercup yellow cherry red, jadeite orange, jadeite green pink lemonade, and turquoise. If none of those bright hues appeals suitable for you it is possible to order one in a custom color for an extra $400 fee.
There are also budget-friendly options, such as this retro fridge that's 210 litres in size from Amica. Its blue-duck color is sure to stand out in any kitchen. It also features a surprising spacious interior, with three shelves of safety glass with two balconies on the doors and the salad crisper. It comes with an A+ rating for energy efficiency as well as a manual defrost fridge, and an auto defrost.
Swan and Servis are also brands that offer a large selection of retro fridge freezers. These brands have a range of colors, but their most popular models are in chilli red and classic cream. The former is a great option if you want to match your fridge with other appliances in red, while the latter can add a touch of class to any kitchen.
Why are they so popular?
The fridge freezer does not have to blend into. It can be a focal piece in your kitchen if you opt for retro-inspired designs. These designs are reminiscent 1950s refrigerators and feature bold colors, curved edges and large handles. These models are available in a variety of vibrant colors, including orange, green, blue and red.

Smeg is the leader in this market, with an impressive selection of finishes and styles. Their iconic revival fridges feature striking colors, including orange, red and blue and are designed for people who love nostalgic items and those who appreciate design. You can pick from a range of handles and interior finishes to design the perfect Smeg fridge for your personal style.
Gorenje is another brand that has a great range of retro refrigerators. Their stunning RF60309 is a prime instance of how these fridges combine traditional design and modern technology. This refrigerator is a stunning addition to any kitchen. It is equipped with an A+ energy rating.
Swan and Montpellier are two other brands that offer a great range of retro fridge freezers. They offer a range of colors, ranging from classic cream to chilli red and they usually have bigger capacities than more contemporary models.
These fridges usually come with glass shelves for safety, a wine rack and a free-standing ice box. They also come with anti-bacterial protection, which can help minimise the transfer of germs and boost hygiene. Many have dynamic cooling that ensures that cold air circulates throughout the freezer or fridge.
While retro style fridge freezer might be more expensive than modern American or French Door models, they're generally less expensive than fridge freezers that are plain white. They also tend to have a better "feel" than more modern appliances, featuring chunky handles and chrome trims along the two doors.
If you're looking to buy a cheap retro fridge freezer, take a look at this model from Baumatic. This compact model is available in stunning royal blue and has 246-litre capacity. The refrigerator is self-defrosting and is rated as energy efficient and an internal wine rack and salad drawer.
How do they work?
The retro fridge freezer isn't the typical appliance - it's an eye-catching piece that adds character to any kitchen. While they're typically smaller than modern American-style refrigerators this doesn't mean you're forced to sacrifice storage space. Retro fridge freezers have a variety shelving options. They have shelves that are shorter for butter sticks, higher shelves for single-serve bottles of water, smaller cartons and even a drawer for produce. Some models also offer HarvestFresh technology, which uses three-colour lighting to mimic the sun's 24-hour light cycle, and keeps fruit and vegetables fresher for longer.
Take a look at the two-door Big Chill fridge If you're looking for a retro-inspired fridge that's not overly expensive. This brand was launched in the US by uncle and nephew duo Thom Vernon & Orion Creamer. It has quickly become popular among celebrities (Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds ). The Big Chill fridge is available in a variety of vibrant colors such as blue and red cherry and milkshake-white and black. It offers 12 cubic feet of storage space, plus a separate freezer, and comes with a warranty.
Another option that is affordable is this Hisense retro fridge-freezer in Bordeaux red with an impressive 300L of storage capacity and 60/40 split between the freezer and fridge. The freezer and fridge both come with adjustable shelves, no frost technology and internal LED lights. It is Energy Star-certified, and has a useful alarm that informs you whether the door was left open.
The RF60309 Retro fridge-freezer from Gorenje is a stylish choice that's both stylish and functional. It's a mix of classic design and modern technology that will appeal to anyone who is a fan of quality and would like their kitchen to be an eye-catching focal point. The beautiful RF60309 features three compartments to store well-stacked frozen food items. It also comes with an ambient switch that permits it to function at temperatures as low as -10degC. This model is available in a range of other stunning colors.
What are the best?
Retro fridge freezers can create a big impact in your kitchen. They are generally cheaper than modern American or French Door models. If you purchase one with attractive extras like water and ice dispensers will bring value to your home too. It is essential to choose a model that matches your kitchen and lifestyle. You can also choose one with built-in food preservation features to keep your fresh produce as it was when it was new.
Heritage brands such as Smeg and Swan offer a variety of vibrant fridge freezers. Big Chill, which is well-known in the USA for its refrigerators has now made it to the UK. The brand's biggest offering has capacities of up to 680 litres that is more than 40 bags of shopping. It offers plenty of storage space inside, including adjustable shelves and a salad drawer. There are also two shelves that are removable within the freezer compartment. Reviews of this particular model are mostly positive, with customers praising the stylish design and impressive storage space. Some people have expressed concern about the quality of the finish though, and some say that it takes some time for the fridge to cool after adding food items.
Amica is another brand with a long history that specializes in 1950s-style fridge freezers. This tall freestanding model is available in a striking duck egg blue color and comes with the generous 234-litre fridge capacity and a freezer capacity of 96 litres which is perfect for families with children. The interior is well-organized and includes four glass shelves that are safe as well as a drawer for salads to store fresh greens, and the chrome wine rack. The appliance has an A+ energy rating as well as an anti-frost system that can eliminate manual defrosting.
If retro style fridge freezer looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, you can't go wrong with a Liebherr fridge freezer. This 50/50 model has an efficient rapid cool function that allows food to be chilled quickly after you've added your food items, and also has a quick freeze setting to freeze large batches of leftovers. The interior is clean and does not freeze, and the LED lighting makes it simple to maintain. It's important to note that some online reviewers have said that the fridge is delivered with scratches and doesn't cool as efficiently as they'd like.