Retro kitchens are making a huge comeback, and we are here for it! Part of the appeal is definitely the gorgeous appliances, like vintage-style refrigerators. These fridges are not only stylish, but they also have a unique charm that can make your kitchen stand out.
If you are thinking about adding a vintage fridge to your kitchen, we have everything you need to know! In this article, we will discuss the different types of retro refrigerators, where to buy them, and how to care for them.
What is a retro fridge?
A retro refrigerator is a classic design that has been resurrected and modernized for today’s kitchen. They come in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles to fit any home’s décor.
The most popular type of retro fridge is the side-by-side model. This fridge has two doors that open up to reveal separate compartments for the fridge and freezer. Other popular models include the top-freezer, bottom-freezer, and French door styles. These all have a vintage look but with updated features like ice and water dispensers
Why we love vintage-style appliances
They come in fun colors. Most modern appliances are either white or stainless steel. Vintage appliances, big and small, come in a wide range of colors, from pastel blue and pink to fire-engine red, and even black. This allows you to add a pop of color to your kitchen and make it your own.
The design is well-though-out and purposeful. Appliances nowadays tend to be made pretty poorly, with the exception of a few high-end brands. Old refrigerators, on the other hand, were well-designed and built to last.
They have a unique charm. Classic-style refrigerators have a charm that is unmatched by any shiny, minimalistic, stainless steel fridge. They come in all sorts of colors, shapes, and sizes, so you can find one that fits the design of your kitchen.
They’re reminiscent of the good times. For some people, vintage appliances are the reminder of the good ol’ days. They harken back to a time when things were made with quality in mind and life was simpler.
They fit in modern minimalistic kitchens just fine. You don’t have to have a retro, farmhouse style kitchen to enjoy a vintage refrigerator. These appliances can be an amazing accent piece in contemporary kitchens, too!
Vintage fridge or a new retro-style refrigerator?
Should you go for a new fridge that looks like an old one, or should you go all out and buy an antique refrigerator?
A retro-looking refrigerator has all the latest technology wrapped up in a classic design. They are usually on the more expensive side, but they come with modern features and a longer warranty.
If you want the real thing, you’ll need to dig out a refurbished vintage refrigerator. These can be tricky to find, but they are well worth the effort if you want to get an authentic appliance.
We always recommend going for a new fridge that has been designed to look like a vintage model. These fridges have all the modern amenities and technology, without sacrificing style.
Our Top Pick for7 Best Retro Refrigerators
If you are in the market for a classic-looking fridge, you might be feeling overwhelmed by all of the options. To help you out, we have put together a list of our top 10 vintage refrigerators at the moment.
1. FRIGIDAIRE EFR756
Frigidaire is one of the oldest North American brands of appliances, and it was so well known in the refrigeration field that its name became synonymous with refrigerators. In France, Canada, and some other French-speaking countries or areas, the word Frigidaire is used for any refrigerator.
This particular model, the FRIGIDAIRE EFR756, draws inspiration from the 1950s with its sleek design and color palette. The fridge is available in three different colors: red, cream, and black.
It has a 7.5 cubic foot capacity, which should be plenty of space for a couple or single person. The fridge also has an automatic defrost function to make sure your food stays fresh.
Pros:
- Good build quality
Cons:
- Many customers have pointed out poor packaging that’s not enough to keep the item from getting damaged during transport.
- Non-reversible door hinges
2. Smeg FAB28
SMEG is a brand with a history, dating back to its creation in 1948 in Italy. They’re known for their vintage-inspired kitchen appliances and collaboration with brands like Fiat and Dolce & Gabbana. The Smeg FAB28 is one of the most popular retro refrigerators on the market. The thing that makes this fridge famous is its iconic design inspired by the 50s. The Smeg FAB28 represents a transformation from a functional appliance into an item of decor, which is again renewing its concept by introducing a set of innovative technological features.
The usable capacity is 9 cubic feet. Of this, 8.08 Cu.Ft are for the fridge and 0.92 for the freezer. The fridge part is relatively large in comparison to the freezer compartment, which is great if you need to store a lot of fresh food, but don’t use freezer space as much. It’s designed with a Multiflow system that distributes temperature more evenly, a 0°C compartment, and an anti-ice back panel.
Pros:
- They come in 10 beautiful colors, including pink, orange, and pastel blue.
- The door is not reversible, but the model is available with both left and right hinge position.
- Even the inside is designed in classic style with a chrome finish.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- We would like to see more than just fab looks for the price.
3. Krib Bling Retro Mini Fridge with Freezer
We knew nothing about this company or brand, so we were very skeptical at first about this model, especially because of how cheap it is. Very rarely there is a fridge under $200 that deserves a second look, even the small ones. However, we’re happy to report that this is one of the decent ones.
The blue color is really pretty and the fact that it has a freezer compartment is a huge plus. The freezer is small, but it’s big enough for some ice cream and an ice bag. It has adjustable 7-level temperature control and it’s pretty quiet. Make sure to let it cool down empty for 24 hours before putting anything in it, or it will struggle to maintain the temperature.
There are some corners cut though. There is no bottom drawer, just a compartment separated by two bars, which sometimes fall off. Also, the inside is much smaller than what you would expect from a 3.5 cubic ft fridge.
Other than that, this is a great little fridge that would be perfect for a college dorm room or studio apartment. But most of all, we were really surprised with the customer support. They were happy to answer all our questions and even offered to send us a replacement when the first one arrived damaged. It was just a little scratch, so we decided to keep it.
Pros:
- Very cheap
- Has a separate freezer compartment
- Great customer support
Cons:
- No bottom drawer
- Smaller than expected inside capacity
4. Smeg FAB32
The Smeg FAB32 is the bigger brother of the world-famous FAB28. The fridge has a generous 9.4 cubic foot capacity, with a freezer compartment on the bottom. The SMEG Refrigerator Retro-style is a true beauty. A glossy color with rounded edges and a chromed handle, this fridge fits seamlessly into your vintage kitchen, or makes the perfect contrasting piece to a minimalist modern kitchen.
The SMEG Refrigerator Retro-style comes in a range of glossy color with rounded edges and a chromed handle, making it a perfect addition to any vintage kitchen. Bright LED light strips on both sides of the fridge provide enhanced illumination and visibility of the interior.
It’s the aesthetics that make the SMEG refrigerators stand out, because when it comes to performance and durability, they’re pretty average. But if you’re looking for a fridge that will not go unnoticed, this is it.
Pros:
- They come in 10 beautiful colors, including pink, orange, and pastel blue.
- The door is not reversible, but the model is available with both left and right hinge position.
- Even the inside is designed in classic style with a chrome finish.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- We would like to see more than just fab looks for the price.
5. Galanz GLR10TRDEFR 10 Cu.Ft
Galanz has an entire retro collection of kitchen appliances, including microwaves, mixers, toasters, and even air fryers. This 10 cubic ft fridge is one of their most popular models. It is a perfect size for a family of two or three and it has a top 2.4 Cu.Ft freezer for keeping frozen food.
The inside of the fridge is fitted with 3 slide-out glass shelves, a crisper drawer with a cover, 2 gallon bottle door storage and six can holders. There are a couple of complaints that the fridge is noisy, but we actually find it to be pretty quiet. All in all, this is a beautifully designed fridge, great for the price, that would be a perfect addition to any kitchen.
Pros:
- One of the most energy-efficient retro fridges.
- Has a top freezer
Cons:
- Handles are made of cheap plastic.
6. Kenmore 99091 Compact Refrigerator
Kenmore 99091 is a super cute mini fridge that stands out for its practical design. It has a capacity of 4.4 cu.ft, one adjustable glass shelf, a clear crisper drawer, and four separate door shelves for holding different items. It has a separate closed compartment, but it is not a freezer. It is just a cooling compartment that is a bit lower in temperature than the rest of the inside, to keep your drinks extra cold.
The striking feature of Kenmore 99091 is its sleek design. With rounded edges and no door handle makes it look more like a suitcase than a fridge, and it fits nicely in any space. The fridge is also available in mint green, though the matte finish red makes it a real accent piece in any kitchen.
Pros:
- Beautiful and practical design
Cons:
- No freezer
- Hinges cannot be reversed
7. WANAI Compact Yellow Mini Fridge
This adorable little fridge immediately brings a smile to your face with its fun yellow color. It’s only 3.2 cubic feet, so it’s perfect for small apartments, offices, or dorm rooms. But despite its compact 36″ tall, 18.5″ wide size, it still has a two-door design and a 1.4 Cu.Ft freezer compartment, large enough to store ice cubes, frozen dinner, or pizza.
This fridge has everything you need, including an ice cube tray, an adjustable thermometer, and a see-through fruit and vegetable drawer. It’s got removable shelves, so you can customize the layout to fit your needs, and they are also easy to clean. It is a budget appliance and the little details give it away, like the plastic front, but it is still a great fridge for the price.
Pros:
- Fun yellow color
- Small and compact
Cons:
- The whole front is made of plastic.
Iconic refrigerator models
While most people think of the 50s and 60s when they think of vintage-style appliances, retro refrigerators can be found in many different time periods. The 40s, 60s, and even the 70s all had their own unique styles that can be mimicked in a modern refrigerator.
Norge refrigerators
Refrigerators became a mainstay of every household in the 40s and one of the most popular manufacturers was Norge. Besides the classic white, these fridges were often offered in bright colors like turquoise and had unique details like chrome handles.
1950s style fridge
The 50s was a decade known for its flashy style and unique designs. Refrigerators from this era are often quite large and boxy, with snazzy details like chrome moldings and handles and painted panels. It was a popular look for the fridge to match the walls and cupboards of the kitchen.
1960s refrigerators
Fridges in the 1960s reflected the look of the time. Futuristic, yet simple and with soft curves in the design, they looked like something that’d came out of ‘The Jetsons’. By the 1960s most fridges also included a freezer compartment for mum to stock up on family dinners.
1970s appliances
The 1970s saw a rise in the popularity of miniature and novelty fridges. The design of the household fridge also took a turn back towards the more boxy look of the 1940s. Compact was back. Appliances of the 70s and 80s were utilitarian and built to last.
Coca-Cola coolers
Nothing says the classic 1950’s Americana like the recognizable Coke logo plastered over a beverage refrigerator. These red and white coolers were often found in gas stations and diners and were used to store and serve Coca-Cola bottles. They are now popular collector’s items.
What are some things to consider before buying a retro refrigerator?
There are a few things you should keep in mind before purchasing a retro fridge. First, think about the size of your kitchen and make sure the fridge will fit comfortably. You’ll also want to decide which style would work best in your space. And finally, keep in mind that these fridges can be more expensive than traditional ones, so be sure to set a budget before you start shopping.
Size and capacity
The first thing to consider when purchasing a retro refrigerator is the size of your kitchen. These fridges come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so you’ll want to make sure you measure your space before making a purchase. You’ll also want to think about capacity. If you have a large family or entertain often, you’ll need a fridge that can accommodate your needs.
Freezer or no freezer
Some people prefer the convenience of having a separate freezer, while others find that it takes up too much space in their kitchen. If you opt for a fridge/freezer combo you have two options: a top freezer or a bottom freezer. Bottom freezers are usually bigger, so keep that in mind when making your decision.
Single or double door
Double-door fridges are a relatively new concept and weren’t around during most vintage eras. That is why almost all retro-style refrigerators are single-door. If you really need a double-door refrigerator, you might need to opt for a more modern-looking model.
Energy efficiency
While many people love the look of a vintage refrigerator, it can be less energy-efficient than their modern counterparts. If you’re worried about your carbon footprint, you might want to consider a more energy-efficient model. Luckily, there are plenty of retro-looking refrigerators that are made according to the latest standards of energy efficiency on the market.
Budget
Finally, keep in mind that retro refrigerators can be more expensive than traditional ones. So, be sure to set a budget before you start shopping.
Where to buy a vintage style fridge
There are only a handful of companies that make true vintage-style refrigerators, and even fewer that make them in North America. So, if you’re hoping to get your hands on one of these beauties, you’ll need to do your research and be prepared to spend a pretty penny.
Buying a retro fridge online
The internet is a great place to start your search for a vintage style fridge. There are a few companies that specialize in making these types of fridges, and you can often find them for sale on sites like Amazon. Here at Miho, we always try to help our readers with the products they’re looking for, scouring the internet for the best deals and top-quality products.
In-store options
If you want to see the fridge in person before you buy it, your best bet is to find a local retailer that specializes in vintage appliances. These stores are often located in large cities, so you might have to travel to find one. But, it might be worth it to be able to see the fridge up close and personal before making a purchase.
Brands to consider
- BigChill – BigChill is one of the most popular brands that specializes in vintage-style appliances. Starting with their original 1950’s style refrigerator, BigChill has expanded their product line to include dishwashers, microwaves, and stoves.
- Smeg – Smeg is an Italian company that’s been making high-quality appliances for over 70 years. They gained worldwide recognition for their retro design, which has been featured in magazines, and the bright colors of their appliances.
- Galanz – If you are looking for a stylish fridge, but on a budget, then Galanz is a great option. It is a Chinese company that has been making appliances for over 40 years and offers a wide variety of retro-style fridges in different colors and sizes.
- Elmira Stove Works – Based in Elmira, Canada, Elmira Stove Works has been manufacturing vintage-styled ranges since 1975, and offers full lines of “circa-1850” and retro 1950s appliances, including ranges, refrigerators, microwaves, wall ovens, range hoods and wood-burning cookstoves. The Northstar Collection was an instant hit, proving that retro-style flair had its own place in the new millennium.
Retro appliances are not the cheapest, but they are worth it. There’s nothing like the look of a beautiful vintage refrigerator in a kitchen. It’s the perfect way to add some charm and character to your space. Hopefully, this guide has given you all the information you need to shop for your perfect retro fridge.
