Retro refrigerator one stop-shopping guide — 7 companies + 3 DIYs, full-sized

A retro refrigerator can be a centerpiece of your kitchen, and over the past few years as interest in mid century design has boomed, many more options have become available. But this also means that if you’re in shopping mode, it can be hard to choose who makes the best retro refrigerator for your situation. So, I did the research and created this roundup, as complete as I could make it. In all, I give you 7 of today’s best sources for a brand new retro refrigerator — family sized, not those small ones — along with three ideas to DIY your existing fridge into your retro dream.

10 serious options for a family-sized retro refrigerator in 2021

To make this a one-stop shopping guide, I worked hard to deep dive into the real contenders — so this is a long story, and one informed by writing about retro kitchens and appliances for 15 years. 

Here’s the index:

1. Sub-Zero [or another retro-looking-enough refrigerator that takes a custom color panel)
2. Big Chill
3. North Star
4. Smeg
5. Unique Appliances
6. Chambers
7. Vintage
8. Paint your own
9. Wrap your fridge in vinyl, or…
10. Settle for a proxy to save money 

1. Sub-Zero refrigerator with historic trim

My first possibility for a retro-style refrigerator will likely surprise you, but barring buying vintage, it is hands down, the most authentic choice: Sub-Zero. That’s because Sub-Zero is not an interpretation of mid century refrigerators — it actually has been around for decades.

The key to get the “authentic” retro version, though, is to specify it correctly That is: 

• Choose a “Panel Ready” design — buy the panels directly from Sub-Zero or have them custom made by your cabinet maker — the panels then will be “Framed” in metal like the photo to the right.
• Choose the “Classic Louvered Insert” grille ala the photo on the right.
• And, choose the “Full-Length Standard” handles — these tuck beneath the Panels.

“Fitted kitchen” defined

Note, all Sub-Zeros are counter-depth, so they nestle right into your cabinetry for that fitted kitchen look so important in the post-war era. [Wow, look at the vintage Revco refrigerators from back in the day, which epitomized this idea too!]

About size and capacity:

• Sub-Zeros come in a lot of different sizes, and they are all counter-depth. Using the exact specification listed above, I used a 42″ side-by-side Sub-Zero refrigerator-freezer in my kitchen, adding White Enamel panels for the front and for the sides. The place I ordered from had not taken an order like mine in years, but once I made myself clear, they understood — and got it right. Note, Sub-Zero’s website is not helpful in specifying “my” classic configuration. Use my instructions and be (with kindness and patience) insistent.
• Sizes typically used back in the day: I am sure the 42″ side-by-side has been around a long while. The image  shown here is from a 1966 ad, and I would say that’s a 36″ wide refrigerator with small freezer on the bottom. Really, I think you could go with any size and be retro-appropriate. Final note: Sub-Zeros come with ice makers inside. Exterior ice makers are not appropriate for a retro refrigerator until you get into… the 1970s, I’d say.

For more in information on Sub-Zero refrigerators:

• Sub-Zero Refrigerators
• Sub-Zero Product and Accessories Sales Guide

And note re this approach: There are other companies that make refrigerators that take custom color panels. You could look for one of these too.

2. Big Chill — two mid century fridge designs including one counter-depth

Big Chill is, arguably, the biggest name among homeowners looking for a retro refrigerator. And deservedly so: I think that they have done a really nice job with the design of their appliances. The lines are curvy and attractive, but not overwrought, not cartoonish. Nice.

Big Chill has two different designs that speak to the postwar era — the Original, which has a 1940s into 1950s look … and the Retropolitan, which evokes the 1960s and 1970s. I also show the New Classic, if your aim is to channel iceboxes of the 19th century and early 20th Century.

Sizes and capacities:

Some key factoids about size and capacity of Big Chill refrigerators:

• Storage for the retro refrigerator / freezer combinations: From 13 cu.ft … to 18.2 cu.ft … to 20.6 cu.ft … to 24.1 cu.ft.
• Widths from about 25″ … to 28″ … to 31″… to 33″
• Heights from 57″… to 65″… to 69″
• Depths of the “boxes” (not counting the protrusion of the door or handle) are 28″, except for the Slim Fridge, whose box sits counter-depth.

Big Chill’s designs come in up to nine stock colors. Or, the company can paint your refrigerator a custom color at additional cost. What’s also great about this company is that they have a complementary line of retro ranges and stoves, cooktops, dishwashers, a microwave, and even range top hoods that are designed to help create a complete kitchen with a cohesive look.

For more information on Big Chill retro and vintage-style refrigerators:

• Big Chill
• Inspiration Gallery

North Star — three vintage-style refrigerator designs including one counter-depth 

North Star, which is a brand of Elmira Stove Works, has a nicely designed retro refrigerator available in three configurations in the U.S. (Two additional slimmer models are also available in Canada.) These fridges come in nine standard colors, all retro lovely. And custom painting is possible, too.

One of the things I like about these single-door refrigerators is that they are not enormous — they are 18.2 or 18.5 cu.ft. Refrigerators back in the day were not as big as today!

That said, North Star also has two French Door models with a retro look, and one of them offers more space. The other French Door model has less interior space — but it is counter-depth, a nice option if you want your refrigerator to tuck nicely into your cabinetry. 

North Star also has stoves in matching colors.

Sizes and capacities:

Some key factoids about sizes and capacities of North Star refrigerators:

• Storage for the retro refrigerator / freezer combinations: From about 18 cu.ft. … to 20 cu.ft. … to 25 cu.ft.
• Height: From approx. 69″ … to 72″
• Width: From approx. 30″ … to 36″
• Depth without doors: From approx. 28″ … to 29″… and the 1959 is counter-depth at 24-5/8″ 

More info on North Star retro refrigerators:

• North Star refrigerator models
• Elmira Stove Works antique refrigerator designs
• See the red North Star refrigerator in reader Elizabeth’s kitchen
• We saw these retro cuties when we visited KBIS in 2016 — love that yellow!

4. Smeg — two cute refrigerator designs, both counter-depth

I admit my head starts to spin when I look at the lineup of Smeg refrigerators on their website. They show something like 56 different models depending on the direction the door swings and the color.

That said, there appear to be two basic designs: (1) A 57″ high fridge with an interior freezer compartment, and (2) a 75″ high refrigerator with a freezer on the bottom. They both are 24″ wide. So fundamentally, these are small-capacity refrigerators.

I count 17 colors or exterior patterns (like flags) in the Smeg lineup. And, like some of the other companies on this page, Smeg offers some other products in coordinated colors so that you can have matchy matchy appliances throughout — dishwashers, ranges and hoods, dishwashers, toasters, tea kettles, blenders, and more.

Sizes and capacities:

Info on sizes and capacities of Smeg’s two refrigerator designs:

• Single door Smegs hold 9.22 cu.ft. They are 57.5″ high … 23.5″ wide … and the boxes (sans doors) are 20-7/8″ deep.
• The fridge/freezer combos spec out at 11.7 cu.ft. They are 75”13/16 high …  23-39/64″ wide … and the boxes (sans doors) are 21-21/64″ inches deep. 
• Note, Smeg also sells even smaller undercounter fridges that are also cutie petuties. 

More info on Smeg refrigerators:

• Smeg refrigerators
• All Smeg USA products

5. Unique Appliances

Unique Appliances has retro-style refrigerators in two sizes and five colors + white. This company also has matching 24″ convection gas ranges in several of the colorways.

• Unique Appliances retro refrigerators

6. Chambers slim refrigerators — two designs

eader Taylor alerted me to Chambers retro refrigerators, which currently come in two designs — (1) a refrigerator/freezer design and (2) refrigerator only. Yes: Chambers, as in the name brand of the famous maker of antique stoves. It appears like this revived name brand for appliances has been on the market about a year and more are coming. Thank you, Taylor, for the tip!

Dimensions and details:

• Refrigerator/freezer:
  • 11.7 cu.ft. total volume for refrigerator/freezer combined
  • Counter-depth, about 76″ high, 24″ wide
  • Four colors
• Single door refrigerator (shown right):  
  • Counter-depth, about 59″ high, about 24″ wide. 
  • Five colors 

More info on Chambers retro refrigerators:

• Chambers Appliances and Retro Refrigerators

7. Buy a vintage refrigerator or have an expert restore your find

Over the 15 or so years of writing this blog, I’ve met a number of readers who are happily living with vintage refrigerators. There are companies that specialize in repairing and/or restoring old refrigerators (and stoves). Be aware: Old products can contain vintage hazards — I am not an expert, so get with a properly licensed professional to assess what you are dealing with so that you can make informed decisions. Professionals also can advise you on energy use issues.

Find a professional to help:

Here are some thoughts on where you might start to find professionals to help you:

• Antique Appliances restores vintage refrigerators and maintains an ongoing inventory of refrigerator models ready for restoration and painting in the color of your choice.
• Antique Vintage Appliances is another company I found that says it restores vintage refrigerators.
• I don’t have a list of other companies that specialize in repairing and restoring vintage refrigerators, but you could also go through this list of companies that restore vintage stoves and see if they can help you with a refrigerator too.

8. Paint your own refrigerator a retro color

Painting an existing refrigerator a retro color can help you get the look at a potentially or relatively low cost. When I wrote about where to find red refrigerators, I talked about painting ideas and also got direct feedback from Rust-Oleum, a leader in paints. I again encourage awareness: If you’re sanding/or stripping/or painting, be sure to consider hazards possible in the layers – Be Safe/Renovate Safe.

Ideas for painting:

• Take your plain-Jane refrigerator to an auto body shop or industrial painting place — Professional painting companies exist in virtually every town of size and can consult online paint color guides to match or help get you the color you want. Some advantages of professional painting include (1) they have access to very durable paints, (2) they will or should use environmentally safe practices, (3) they likely use dust-free booths to avoid itsy bitsies ruining your smooth glossy finish, and (4) someone else does it. 
    DIY painting advice from Rustoleum: 
• Spray paint your existing fridge yourself. Rustoleum has an epoxy spray paint specifically for appliances, but alas, it does not come in color colors. So, I asked Rustoleum about using their basic Painter’s Touch 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 [a variety of colors]. 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 [paint color], 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.” 
• Rustoleum Painter’s Touch 2X Ultra Cover in high gloss

9. Wrap your existing refrigerator in vinyl

I heard recently from a reader-couple who had their existing refrigerator wrapped in vinyl by a company that does vinyl wraps for cars and the like. I’m working on a story and will add that link when it’s up, but meanwhile, here’s another possibility. Get with professionals to assess this approach. 

10. Find a less expensive proxy that channels the retro look and scale

My last idea is to hunt for a refrigerator or refrigerator-freezer from another manufacturer that approximates the look of those shown above. Although it will not be intentionally retro as the designs I’ve spotlighted above, this route could yield a less-costly but “close enough” option.

One key consideration, I’d say, is that many mid century kitchens were fairly small. Choosing a smaller refrigerator — including a counter-depth refrigerator — could make a lot of sense in terms of getting an aesthetically pleasing, suitable proportion. That said: Back in the day, I think folks shopped more frequently (grocery stores did home delivery!), so a small fridge was fine, functionally. Fundamentally, a refrigerator is a machine for living, so of course, make the choice that makes sense for you!

The other tip: Simple white refrigerators are a good proxy. Maybe you can even find one with chrome trim. 

For more tips to create a retro kitchen:

• Renovating a mid century kitchen — 12 key steps to find the resources to get started

Finally, note that I am not Consumer Reports, so can’t speak to quality / durability of any particular manufacturer or brand. On questions like this, see if you can find reliable sources — Consumer Reports (?) — who do independent testing, and of course, check out the manufacturer and their warranties.