Yes: We’ve identified 11 places to find a red refrigerator! It was only after I wrote about where to find pink refrigerators that I did some research and found that there is even greater demand for red refrigerators. I’m guessing this is because… there are lots of folks creating a retro kitchen that’s black, white and red — a classic “diner kitchen’ color palette. White and red kitchens are also popular, and I suspect there are more than a few men looking for a red fridge for the man cave or garage. No matter what the reason, red refrigerators are smokin’ hot — evidenced by the fact that I found even more of them available than pastel pink. Read on for nine 10 places to find a full-sized red refrigerator, plus a mini-make-that-11. Above: One of the several designs of retro refrigerators from Big Chill.
Following along with my photo spread, above, starting at the top and moving left to right:
- #1 — Big Chill’s classic retro refrigerator comes in two sizes, a 20.9 cu.ft. unit and a 14.4 cu.ft. unit. They also have an undercounter fridge that you can get in their complete color palette, including red. Link: Big Chill refrigerators.
- #2 — Big Chill’s Retropolitan refrigerator has more of a Jetson’s look and the freezer on the bottom. It is 18.5 cu.ft in size– and it is 2″ less deep so sticks out less. Link: Big Chill refrigerators.
- #3 — The Northstar refrigerator by Elmira Stove Works comes in three sizes and variations: The 19 cu.ft. model has the freezer on the bottom, while the freezer is on the top in 18.2 cu.ft. and 11 cu.ft. models. You can also get the 11 cu.ft. model with a built-in kegger. Link: Northstar refrigerators.
- #4 — The Smeg ’tis a baby doll, coming in at just 9.2 cu.ft., but she is oh so cute. Link: Smeg refrigerators.
- #5 — Take your plain-Jane refrigerator to an auto body shop or industrial painting place — Professional painting joints can consult online paint color guides to match or help get you the color you want. The advantages of professional painting include (1) they have access to very durable automotive and professional paints suitable for various substrates, (2) they use dust-free booths to avoid itsy bitsies ruining your smooth glossy finish, and (3) someone else does it. However, you will have to get your fridge there and back, and this will cost you, of course.
- #6 — Spray paint your existing fridge yourself. Rustoleum’s Apple Red gloss spray paint should help you do the trick. Rustoleum has an epoxy spray paint specifically for appliances — but it does not come in red . So, I asked Rustoleum if they could advise on how to use this less fancy red spray paint to do a fridge, either metal or vinyl/plastic. Here is what they said: “Painter’s Touch would work fine on the fridge. We also have a spray paint called Painter’s Touch Ultra Cover 2X that also comes in Candy Pink. The real advantage of using Ultra Cover 2X is that it offers twice the coverage of general purpose spray paints. It also has distribution at The Home Depot and many hardware and paint stores, so it’s easy to buy anywhere in the US. According to our brand management team, before painting the vinyl/plastic parts of the fridge, prime them with Specialty Plastic Primer. For metal, you can prime with a Stops Rust Clean Metal primer for added durability. You could use Painters Touch Ultra Cover 2X Clear over the Apple Red, but priming would be the most important step. If you topcoat with the Clear, apply it within 1 hour after painting or after 48 hours.”
- #7 –– Viking Range — Looks to me like you can get Viking Range built-in refrigerators in a two shades of red — Racing Red and Candy Red. There are also stoves and other complementary appliances to match.
- #8 — To complement its line of 1800s-style stoves, Elmira Stove Works also has designed a refrigerator, and you can get it in a shade of red.
- #9 — Check online, there are a variety of mini fridges now available in a variety of colors.
And update #10 — See the comments for Summit’s refrigerator painting program.
clark says
the viking one looks nice.
oh! 9,600 bucks!! : [
Leslie says
I just stumbled upon Heartland Appliances. They have some cool looking refrigerators in a variety of colors.
http://www.heartlandapp.com/products/refrigerators.aspx
rosalie moretti says
WOW You saved me from searching and searching for a red refrigerator. How creative of you. I never dreamed of painting a refrigerator. You probably saved me a ton of money. I don’t have to order on the internet and have it shipped from Norway. I can merely hop over to my local appliance stores, pick out exactly what I want in a refrigerator and have it painted. I am so excited and grateful to you!!! I am signing up for you Blog to keep in touch with a genius. Thank You.
dipsterdeb says
Why are they so much more expensive than regular fridges? Wish I could afford it, but even if I could $3000 for a fridge just can’t get past my conscience. 🙁
CM says
Why can’t we get the Smeg with 2 doors here in the US? Or can we?
Cara says
LOL, my favorite is the can of spray paint in amongst the pricey fridges!
In the 80’s my grandparents spray painted their avocado fridge beige and it was a good 10+ years before they bought a new one. I never knew until the story came out at some point in time so it fooled me! I’m sure grandpa just painted it on the back patio and I’m sure spray paint has improved over the years so it can work 🙂
Lynne says
I love all the fridge color options, but they are just too darn small for a large family. We need more cubic feet of space.
Now, if could just get an old fashioned screen door in the plain old aluminum/silver color!
Sherree says
Walmart.com has some called Nostalgia Electric Series Retro Refrigerators. They are dorm sized and come in red, black or white and at only $177 would be great in a basement, family room, garage or man cave. They also have matching microwaves 🙂
Alanna says
I second that on the Nostalgia Electrics. I suspect that a lot of Retro Renovation readers would love the matching microwave! It comes in red and a classic 50’s blue. You can get them on Amazon and Hayneedle too.
ChrisH says
http://www.summitappliance.com/colors
Summit will paint it red, pink, or any other color you want.
pam kueber says
Thanks, Chris. I jumped on the phone and yes, Summit offers one fullsized refrigerator/freezer they can custom color. Model ff1625SS Custom. You must order through a dealer. Summit is getting me more info, but it sounds like you should be able to get the fridge for $2000 or less — you need to work out the whole deal through a dealer, the Summit website is not created for consumers. You can see the fullsize fridge here: http://www.summitappliance.com/search?quick_search_button=&model=ff1625
Pamela Lyle says
I love these! And the pink ones too.