Person cooking a meal in a modern kitchen

8 Essential Refrigerator Trends for 2024

The refrigerator is the centerpiece of your kitchen. It preserves both fresh and frozen items, cools dough for your favourite baking projects, and keeps wine and other drinks perfectly chilled. If you're in the market for a new fridge in 2024, being familiar with the latest features and designs can assist you in selecting the right model that complements your kitchen's aesthetics and your culinary habits. Check out this guide to the essential refrigerator trends to begin your search.

Refrigerator Trends to Watch For in 2024

There's a variety of features, configurations, and designs available when you're in the market for a new refrigerator. Explore some of the trends to watch in 2024 with the following list

KitchenAid® stainless steel built-in refrigerator

1. BUILT-IN REFRIGERATORS

Fully integrated designs continue to be popular in contemporary kitchens. Having your kitchen appliances blend seamlessly with the surrounding cabinetry creates an open, spacious feel, minimizing the look of clutter. Built-in refrigerators offer the sophisticated appearance you desire while maintaining full functionality.

 

KitchenAid® built-in refrigerators combine style and functionality, providing a premium look that stands out in your kitchen.

KitchenAid® refrigerator crisper drawers

2. Humidity-Controlled Storage Options

In 2024, refrigerators with features that extend food freshness are expected to remain popular. Humidity-controlled drawers with adjustable airflow let you set different humidity levels for ideal storage conditions. Store easily wilted items such as leafy greens and broccoli in a High Humidity drawer, and keep fruits like apples, pears, and cantaloupe in a Low Humidity drawer to slow down spoilage.

Person touching a stainless steel refrigerator door

3. Fingerprint-Resistant Finishes

As stainless steel finishes maintain their classic appeal, fingerprint-resistant versions are becoming increasingly popular. These surfaces feature an easy-to-clean coating that makes smudges and smears a thing of the past.

 

KitchenAid® refrigerators with PrintShield™ Finish are designed to resist smudges and fingerprints thanks to a special coating that simplifies cleaning. Simply wiping down your refrigerator with water and a soft cloth can help maintain its shiny, polished look.

Fresh produce inside a refrigerator with LED lighting

4. LED Lighting

LED lighting inside the refrigerator and crisper drawers not only provides a modern and sleek appearance but also enhances visibility. This makes it easier to grab your favourite ingredients and helps prevent them from being overlooked.

 

Additionally, LED lights are up to 90% more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, allowing you to lower your carbon footprint while improving the lighting in your appliance.

Beige cabinets with butcher block countertop

5. Panel-Ready Appliance Options

Panel-ready appliances, similar to built-in refrigerators, are gaining popularity for 2024. These refrigerators are designed to be fitted with a custom cabinet door instead of the traditional black, white, or stainless steel finish. This design allows the appliance to integrate seamlessly with your cabinetry, providing a cohesive and upscale look to your kitchen.

KitchenAid® 5-door refrigerator filled with food

6. Multi-Door Refrigerator Configurations

Multi-door refrigerators bring both elegant appeal and extra storage capacity. In 2024, configurations like French door, 4-door, and 5-door models are becoming more popular. These units typically provide increased refrigerator and freezer space, and some models include extra temperature-controlled zones, simplifying food preparation and storage.

Built-in ice maker filled with ice

7. Advanced Ice Makers

While built-in ice makers in refrigerators aren't new, the trend for 2024 is toward in-door ice makers that produce high-quality ice more quickly. Refrigerators with clear ice makers or rapid-freeze ice makers are becoming popular among those looking to enhance their kitchen setups.

Two KitchenAid® undercounter refrigerators

8. Extra Storage Solutions

Adding an undercounter refrigerator, wine cellar, or beverage center brings a refined touch to your kitchen. This additional refrigeration space enables you to centralize appetizers, beverages, or wine, making it easier for guests to serve themselves without accessing the main refrigerator.

 

KitchenAid brand offers a selection of undercounter refrigeration options that can turn almost any area of your home into an entertainment space.

Person eating inside a contemporary kitchen Person eating inside a contemporary kitchen

Top Refrigerator Colours for 2024

Stainless steel is expected to remain a predominant choice in modern kitchens throughout 2024. Its classic appearance and versatility in complementing various wood tones and design styles make it a perennial favourite that transcends fleeting trends with its timeless elegance. 

Traditional stainless steel can enhance and illuminate your kitchen, whereas black stainless steel offers a striking, bold look. With certain KitchenAid® brand models, you can choose the easy-to-clean PrintShield™ Finish for both stainless and black stainless steel, allowing you to spend less time cleaning and more time crafting your culinary creations.

Trending Kitchen Colours for 2024

Kitchen colours on trend include bold hues such as rich green, dusty orange, and deep blue, and your refrigerator finish can complement your new kitchen colour scheme. Stainless steel reflects light to brighten the space, while a black finish can enrich the colour scheme and add depth.

Trending Refrigerator Types and Styles for 2024

French door refrigerator configurations remain a top choice for 2024 due to their spacious capacity, easy accessibility, and modern design. These refrigerators are straightforward to organize, keeping your most frequently used ingredients within easy reach.

Meanwhile, 4 and 5-door models are becoming increasingly popular for their additional storage and versatility. These refrigerators typically feature extra refrigerated and frozen compartments, allowing you to stock up on fresh produce and store large dishes for upcoming events. KitchenAid® Multi-Door Refrigerators are designed to keep your food visible and accessible, with soft-close pantry doors that add a layer of convenience.

Key Refrigerator Features Available in 2024

In 2024, refrigerators will offer several advanced features including fingerprint-resistant finishes, temperature-controlled zones, enhanced in-door ice makers, LED lighting, and panel-ready finishes. These options cater to a variety of needs and preferences, ensuring your refrigerator is both functional and stylish.

How to Select the Best Refrigerator

Choosing the best refrigerator involves selecting a model that aligns with your specific needs, style preferences, and cooking habits. Take into account the size of your kitchen to ensure the refrigerator fits properly, matches the aesthetic, and complements the layout. Also, consider which functions are most important to you. For more detailed assistance, refer to a refrigerator buying guide.

EXPLORE KITCHENAID® REFRIGERATORS

Whether you choose a built-in or freestanding, French door or side-by-side, KitchenAid brand has the refrigeration options you need to turn your kitchen into a creative oasis. Browse select refrigerators with features like Humidity Controlled Crispers, the Preserva® Food Care System that features two independent cooling systems, or the Under-Shelf Prep Zone, ideal for marinating meats or chilling doughs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT REFRIGERATORS WITH KITCHENAID BRAND