How To Build An Inexpensive Fridge Cabinet
I hated looking at the side of our fridge so I thought I would create an inexpensive fridge cabinet surround. I hope this gives you some inspiration for creating your own DIY refrigerator cabinet. Follow along as we transform our small kitchen into our dream kitchen design.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
Fridge Surround
1/2″ plywood was cut to the width of the fridge, excluding the doors, to allow for clearance. I wanted the TV set back but you could bring the plywood straight up to the ceiling depending on the style you want.
The plywood was secured with L-brackets on the floor, walls, and ceiling. I used 1/2″ screws in the plywood and 1″ screws in the floor, ceiling, and walls.
A 1/2″ x 20″ piece of MDF was used on top of the fridge to box the fridge in. I cut it 1 inch wider than the width of the fridge (31″) to allow a half-inch clearance on either side. This allowed enough space for ventilation and also for the fridge to easily slide in and out of the cabinet. Keep in mind that you will have to follow the ventilation requirements for your specific fridge, listed in your fridge’s manual.
The MDF piece on top of the fridge was secured to the plywood sides with 1″ screws.
I also cut a piece of MDF 6 inches wide and 31″ long (1 inch wider than the fridge) that I placed above the TV.
Crown Moulding
I cut a piece of 3″ x 1/2″ MDF 54″ long (the full length of the counter cabinet and the fridge cabinet) and mitered the edges at a 45-degree angle. L-brackets were glued to the top of the upper cabinet in order to secure the crown moulding. The rest of the crown moulding was glued directly to the cabinet above the TV. I repeated this step on each side of the cabinet.
Once the first piece of crown moulding was in place, I glued a second piece of 1/2″ x 3″ MDF trim directly onto the first piece. I also mitered the edges at a 45-degree angle to give it a more professional look.
Cabinet Trim
Once the structure was fully in place, then it was time for the decorative trim. I cut 4″ x 1/2″ MDF pieces for the top and bottom trim. Make sure that you can still open your fridge door, I had to cut the top piece at a 20-degree angle so that the fridge door could fully open.
I used PL to glue the 1″ x 1/4″ wood trim along the edges of the cabinet as well as 2 vertical pieces in the center of the cabinet.
On the opposite side of the fridge, I glued 1″ x 1/2″ pieces of trim along the edge of the plywood.
Prep And Paint
I used paintable caulking to fill in any gaps and let it dry overnight. In the morning I applied a second coat of caulking on any areas that had cracked.
Before painting, I used the Bulls Eye 1-2-3 primer on all of the wooden sections to give it better coverage, especially since I was using white paint. Primer will help keep the paint from absorbing into the wood as well as allowing it a good base to stick to.
I then used an interior semigloss paint in the colour Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore, to match the cabinets.
DIY Refrigerator Cabinet Supplies
1/4″ x 1″ Vertical/ Surrounding Trim
1/2″ x 4″ Horizontal Trim/ Baseboard
If you liked this DIY refrigerator cabinet then might also like my other kitchen renovation ideas HERE. See how we created our small kitchen remodel with these money-saving tips and tricks.
