It depends on your personal needs and preferences. I didn't want to give up the space of a standard and I couldn't afford (or have the space for) an extra wide built-in BUT I didn't want the fridge protruding into the kitchen either. What I did was have the cabinet folks make my refrigerator cabinet 27" deep instead of 24" so it will enclose the body (but not the door or hinges) of my standard refrigerator. It is close to a cabinet depth look without the cost or loss of space -- they are also bringing the adjoining cabinet forward 3" so it will all look smooth. I know others have recessed a standard fridge so that might be a solution for you, as well. Good luck - I think this is one of those trickier issues - especially if you don't have the $$ or space for a wide built-in.

Let's say the difference is 3" in depth between the standard and the CD refrigerator. Before you put the cabinets in put a longitudinal 3" wide wood framing material
and brace it down to the floor. Order your upper cabs in 15" depth, rather than the standard 12"--hardly more expensive. You can use standard depth lower cabinets, as they will be pushed forward 3". Then get your granite or other countertop material 3" deeper. You will now have a beautiful built-in look, plus you will have more counterspace for small appliances (or work), and you will have far more space in your upper cabs that can fit plate chargers and serving dishes, which standard 12" depths have a hard or impossible time doing.

This is also great to do around the sink area, allowing you the extra 3" behind the sink, also the 15" deep cabs, and the 3" more of the countertop.

A chef told me about doing this before my remodel and it worked great--although I had built-in Thermador Freedom 30" refrigerator and Freedom 24" freezer. But the concept and execution remains basically the same.

Greg

neat idea! Thanks!