How do I box in an American Fridge/Freezer?

 

Many people opt to go for an American Fridge/Freezer in their homes for 2 reasons. Firstly, they can be very stylish and can create quite a feature in your kitchen and secondly, they are massive and can hold a lot of food, especially handy if you have a large family!

Creating the box

The box to house the American Fridge/Freezer can be created with numerous different sized units but the bare minimum you are going to need is as follows.

The image below gives a top down view of how these units will look using 2 x 600mm wide tall units and 1 x 1000mm wide top box (wall unit). Notice how the American Fridge/Freezer sticks out a bit and the top box is not as deep as the other units?

American fridge freezer boxing diagram

The reason that the fridge sticks out a bit is to allow the doors to open properly. Some people say that they would like it flush with the tall units, to make it line up with all the other units but the American Fridge/Freezer is supposed to be fitted like this. The protrusion of the fridge will allow the doors to be opened, without clashing on the units surrounding it.

Now, the top box is basically a wall unit and as such, is only 300mm deep. The top box would need to be brought forward, to run in line with the fronts of the tall units and bolted to each tall unit for support using the supplied unit connecting bolts.

We have no wall units that are any deeper than 300mm deep and there will be a gap between the top box and the wall, but it will never been seen as it way above eye line.

You can learn more about the top boxes that we can supply here.

Example American fridge/freezers in customers’ homes

Here are a few examples of American Fridge/Freezers that have been fitted in people’s homes. See how some people have used 300mm pull out larder units at the sides as well as the 600mm wide tall storage units? Someone has even put a tall wine rack next to it (and above it), which is really convenient if you are fond of a glass of white wine and don’t want to walk too far to be able to stock the fridge up:-)

American Fridge

American Fridge Freezer

Box in American fridge freezer

American Fridge Freezer

American Fridge

American fridge

American fridge

American fridge

American fridge

American fridge

American fridge

American fridge

American fridge/freezer

 




Download our mobile app

Looking for some kitchen inspiration? Take a look at some of our real customer kitchens, video reviews as well as advice in our mobile app. We’ll also keep you up to date with any new ranges and offers that we have available.

Up to 50% off competitor kitchen prices

At DIY Kitchens, not only do you get a quality rigid built kitchen but you also get it at a fabulous price too! Price your kitchen up on our site and you could see savings  of up to 50% off other kitchen quotes that you’ve had.

Take a look at our kitchen price comparison page here.



Real customer kitchens

Get some inspiration for designing your own new kitchen with over 3,000 pictures of our customers’ kitchens that they ordered from us.

Related articles

52 thoughts on “How do I box in an American Fridge/Freezer?”
  • Jenny Griffiths says:

    Hi, in reply to your response to my question about 918mm wide Top Boxes, here is a link to what I was referring to: https://www.diy-kitchens.com/wp2041848/ – it is called ‘918 X 300 X 300MM – TOP BOX – FOR AMERICAN FRIDGE FREEZER’ (code: TB918-3IHEDA). As this is available in the Helmsley range, would you still recommend 1000mm? Thanks

     
    September 4, 2023 at 7:46 am
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi Jenny, the inframe 900mm wide top box is a little different in width due to the frame being attached to the unit. If you create a support ticket here or contact the pre sales team on 01977 608 418 (Mon – Sat 8:00am – 5:30pm) with the exact dimensions of your fridge/freezer then they will be able to advise you on the best inframe top box to use so that there will be no issue sliding your fridge/freezer into position.

       
      September 4, 2023 at 7:55 am
  • Jenny Griffiths says:

    Hi, you say in this article that the top box above an American Fridge Freezer is best to be 1000mm wide, but you sell top boxes that are 918 wide, specifically for above American Fridge Freezers. So has the advice changed? Or is 1000mm still recommended? Ours is 905 wide. Thank you!

     
    September 3, 2023 at 6:27 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi Jenny, our largest top boxes are either 900 or 1000mm wide. People either use the 1000mm wide top box and leave the gap or use a filler or use a 900mm wide top box and pad it out slightly with pieces of end panel either side, if the fridge/freezer is lightly larger than the 900 wide top box.

       
      September 4, 2023 at 7:27 am
  • Rachel says:

    I would like to put my american fridge freezer at the end of the run, but the side would then be against a wall in the corner. What is the minimum unit I need to put at the end after the Fridge freezer to allow the doors to open? Is an end panel enough or do I need something larger like a wine rack?

     
    January 9, 2023 at 4:34 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, you can just use an end panel at the end if you want to cover the side of the American F/F, these need to be at least 150mm away from an adjacent wall, ideally 300mm.

       
      January 11, 2023 at 6:59 am
  • Natasha says:

    I want to box in an American Fridge Freezer but do not have space for tall units either side. So my idea was to use a top box and a 150 wine rack , Do i just buy multiple racks to fit the space (approx. 3) what do i put at the end that doesn’t have a wine rack ?

     
    August 22, 2022 at 1:28 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, you can use end panels either side of a top box unit if needed or units such as a tall wine rack. All you need to do is ensure that the top box is battoned to the wall and then the end panels screw into the top box. You would also need to secure then ends panels to the wall for extra rigidity and to keep things square. Your kitchen fitter will be able to advise you on this. If you have anymore questions then our sales team will be able to help on 01977 608 418.

       
      August 22, 2022 at 3:26 pm
  • Louisa Fogg says:

    Hi, I’m.planning on boxing in an American fridge freezer with 1000 top box and 2150 tall units either side, if I get the 290 deep top box I think I have space for a 150 wine rack below it, I know I would need to cut down a tall wine rack for this – is there a way to find out where on both racks the 1000mm cut would be to see if it leaves any half boxes etc (I think for the two heights of wine rack that the boxes may be slightly different sizes??). Many thanks.

     
    April 12, 2021 at 10:37 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, we do not recommend cutting down the wine racks, your best options would be to use 900mm high wall wine rack on its side with fillers, or you create a custom size wine rack on site, using end panels.

       
      April 13, 2021 at 4:52 pm
  • Andrew Griffin says:

    I am using two tall units either side of an American F/F with a top box above. Do I need to buy two 2320 x 600mm deep decor panels to fit either side of the fridge or can you use one cut in half vertically to make two 300mm deep panels which will match the depth of the top box. Tia

     
    February 22, 2021 at 2:05 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, as the majority of the panel will be hidden by the appliance, that would be perfectly fine to cut the tower end panel in 1/2.

       
      February 24, 2021 at 7:10 am
  • John says:

    I want to box in an american fridge fridger that is 900mm wide and 1760mm high. The kitchen I am designing is high (2150mm). What do I use as a top box? The only 900mm wide top box you seem to have available leaves too much of a gap above the fridge. Any ideas?

     
    November 14, 2019 at 10:03 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi John, with a 900mm wide fridge freezer, you would need space either side of it (around 25mm for ventilation, check your user manual on this) and allow so space at the sides for the doors to open properly. You would need a 1000mm wide top box, any remaining gap down either side of the American Fridge Freezer can be filled with lighting pelmet as filler or end panels, to make up the space either side of the fridge (see below).

      Box in America Fridge/Freezer

       
      November 15, 2019 at 7:30 am
  • CRP says:

    I want to box in 2 full height fridges next to each other, at the end of a run of units. On the LHS would be an American-style fridge-freezer, width 912mm, height 1789mm and depth 734mm. On the RHS would be a specialist wine fridge, dimensions w680mm x h1825mm and d715mm.

    I was thinking of boxing them in with a 900mm wide top box and 800mm top box above, both 290mm as we are having 1970mm tall units. Along the LHS of the fridge-freezer would be a pantry unit but on the RHS of the wine fridge it would be just an end panel. If possible I would put something in between the two fridges (e.g. 2x end panels so it was finished on both sides – I assume end panels are only painted on one side?) to separate the two appliances.

    I have a couple of questions: 1) Given the wine fridge will come out almost as far into the room as the American fridge freezer, will 1700mm (the combined length of the top boxes) be enough to house both appliances and still be able to open the door of the fridge freezer properly, or will I need to allow extra space to open the door (and if so, any suggestion as to how much more)? 2) Will the top box on the right hand side — above the wine fridge — need to be supported by batons? If so, will I have enough room to fit a baton under it if the wine fridge is already 1825mm high? If not, is there anything I can use to bridge the space above the fridges so that the run of units is the same height all the way along?

     
    October 7, 2019 at 4:30 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, this is quite a lengthy question. If you can pop it onto a support ticket here, the our sales team will pick it up and get back to you.

       
      October 7, 2019 at 5:58 pm
      • CRP says:

        Thanks I’ve now done that

         
        October 7, 2019 at 6:54 pm
  • Matt says:

    Hi, I would like to box a 900mm American Fridge within 2 pull out larder units and a top box over but I would like an in-frame kitchen with tall wall units. You only do standard larder units in the in-frame ranges at a 2150mm height (not pull out ones). Can you suggest any way of boxing above a standard 1970mm pull out unit so that we keep the unit heights consistent. Thanks Matt

     
    March 29, 2019 at 3:16 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Matt, if using 1970mm high, tall units, then the wall units must be 720mm high, to give you the 490mm clearance from worktop to the bottom of the wall units. This page talks about the gap required. 900mm high wall units need to be used with 2150mm (2300mm with legs) tall units. This article talks about mixing wall and tall units. Sorry that I could not help any further.

       
      March 29, 2019 at 3:53 pm
      • Matt says:

        Thanks, I understand which height wall units are required for which height tall units. My problem is that you do not have the popular pull out larder units in 2150mm height on your in-frame kitchens. To be honest, I was asking a question that I knew probably didn’t have an answer. I kind of hoped somebody may have had a solution like two base unit wine racks on their sides that might span above two pull out larder units and a top box to make up the gap. It might just work. I’ll give it some thought.

         
        March 29, 2019 at 4:21 pm
  • Lucy says:

    Hi, I’m looking to put a top box over my American f/f with a pull out larder one side and a built-in cupboard the other side. Is it possible to use wall mounting brackets on the side of the top box that is joining to the built in cupboard wall, or is it better to use an end panel that is attached to the cupboard wall first?
    Thank you

     
    March 12, 2019 at 4:57 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Lucy, it is not recommended to put wall mounting brackets on the units themselves. An MDF end panel would be a better idea, providing that the bracket is securely attached.

       
      March 12, 2019 at 7:09 pm
  • Janice says:

    Hi. Can I attach a top box directly to a wall? My 600 wide fridge freezer is next tothe wall at the left hand side of a row of units with a tall unit to the right. Thanks..

     
    March 7, 2019 at 5:29 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Janice, our top boxes are basically wall units and are 300mm deep. Our tall units are 560mm deep, so if you put the top box on the wall, it would not line up with your tall units and would look out of place.

       
      March 7, 2019 at 5:53 pm
      • Janice says:

        Sorry, I meant attached to the wall on the left hand side of the top box, rather than a unit.

         
        March 18, 2019 at 10:08 am
      • Diy Kitchens says:

        Hi Janice, it may be better to contact our sales team on 01977 608 418 and speak to one of the advisors and have a quick word with them, as I’m not sure what you are wanting to achieve.

         
        March 18, 2019 at 10:25 am
  • Emily Denman says:

    Hi I have two freestanding fridge/freezer units that are 600mm wide and 1750mm high and 600mm deep. I would like to box them in. So I was hoping to use three end panels at either end and then one between the two appliances.
    So could I use two 600mm wide top boxes, with a supporting end panels between?
    But I’d really like to have a deeper top box. I’m wondering if it would be possible to use two 600 Belfast sink base units (BSB6-450 wuthout the legs!) as a top box- So I could utilitise the whole depth of the space above the appliances. Do you think this would be possible or are base units too heavy?

     
    November 23, 2018 at 1:49 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Emily, the top boxes would be fine, we wouldn’t recommend using base units, as the leg bosses are factory fitted and you can damage the carcase if you try to remove them.

      We can increase the depth of the top box for a £24 surcharge but we cannot increase this more than 350mm, unless this is directly sitting on top of something, as it is quite heavy and would need a lot of extra support.

       
      November 26, 2018 at 9:02 am
  • Layla says:

    Hi there

    What would be the process of boxing in an American fridge freezer with just panels and a top box? Is that possible? It is at the end of a run, but not next to a tall unit, just a dishwasher.

    Many thanks

     
    October 30, 2018 at 7:36 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Layla, you can box in an American fridge/freezer with end panels. You would need to ensure that the end panels are bracketed to the wall & the floor and also use battens from the wall, to support the weight of the top box.

       
      October 31, 2018 at 1:41 pm
  • Abee says:

    Hi, I also want to box in a 600 fridge, I have tall units either side and will purchase the 600 top box and pelmet to fill. Do I also need Tall End Panels on either side of the fridge? we have a bespoke painted design in Hague Blue so I’m worried about seeing the side of the white carcasses. thanks

     
    February 17, 2018 at 7:23 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, tall end panels are optional, but if you don’t want to see the sides of the white units then end panels would be needed. If you do use them, please factor in the widths of these in your design.

       
      February 20, 2018 at 10:24 am
  • Abi says:

    What height top box do I use with an American fridge/freezer so that the top box lines up with 720 high wall units?

     
    January 19, 2018 at 9:49 am
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, this would usually be the 290mm high top box for an American fridge freezer around 178cm tall.

       
      January 19, 2018 at 9:52 am
  • Jill Morris says:

    Hi,

    I am just planning my kitchen and need to box in an american fridge freezer, is it possible just to use an end panel with the top box to one of the sides or maybe both sides?

    In picture 3 above that doesn’t appear to have a tall unit to the right hand side of the top box so is that just an end panel that has been used?

    Many thanks

    Jill

     
    October 12, 2017 at 2:21 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, you can span the fridge/freezer with a top box and use either larders both sides or panels both sides, or a larder one side and panel the other etc. As long as there is support both sides it is fine.

      Only thing we would advise is not to place an end panel on a solid wall then use an American F/F, as you won’t have enough clearance to open the door, so ideally if starting from an external wall, use a larder then an end panel on the opposite side.

       
      October 12, 2017 at 4:27 pm
  • Phil Brookes says:

    I’m in the process of fitting a 1000mm top box between two larder units to form a space for an American style fridge freezer. Are the supplied connecting bolts strong enough to support the top box or would you advise fitting some extra brackets?

     
    August 16, 2017 at 9:09 am
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, if the top box is not going to hold much weight then 4 connecting bolts and some screws from the inside of the top box to the unit next to it will support it. If you are going to put heavy items inside the top box then a metal supporting bar underneath it, attached to the 2 side units would be advisable.

       
      August 16, 2017 at 10:13 am
  • Paul McHugh says:

    Hi,

    What Top Box should I use to box in a 600 fridge freezer?
    I would have thought that I would need one that was between 650 and 700 wide in order to leave a good air gap around the edges?

    But your top boxes jump from 600 to 800?

    What’s your advice?

    Many thanks

    Paul

     
    August 8, 2017 at 5:15 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, depending on space we would suggest 800mm and then either panel or fill the exposed space at the sides. If you are stuck for space, you could use a 600mm top box but, pack each side out with some fillers i.e. 50mm pelmet fillers would make the internal 700mm.

       
      August 9, 2017 at 11:01 am
      • Nicole says:

        Hi,

        I’m looking into boxing in my 600mm fridge freezer too.

        I’d like to box in a wall pillar (can you advise the best way to do this – would it be to use 3 end panels to create a “fake” cupboard around the pillar?) and then to box in the fridge freezer between this pillar and a tall unit.

        If we go for the space saving option of using a 600mm top box and packing each side out with pelmet fillers, how do you attach it on the sides, as I understand you need to bring it forward so can’t attach to the rear wall?

        Thanks

         
        October 17, 2017 at 11:36 am
      • Diy Kitchens says:

        Hi, we can’t really answer this without seeing a plan, is there a plan that you could send us? If so, please create a support ticket below and attach the plan to it.
        https://www.diy-kitchens.com/support/new-ticket.asp?enty=14&enht=Quotation

         
        October 18, 2017 at 10:09 am
  • Nick says:

    Many American fridge freezers are described as being 91-91.2cm wide. Would you advise (a) having a 100cm gap between units either side of the fridge, with a 100cm top box on top, meaning that you have to fill in the gaps either side of the fridge with filler panels, or is possible instead to (b) have a 92cm gap between units either side of the fridge, with a 90cm top box on top, meaning that you just have to fill in smaller gaps either side of the top box?

     
    July 3, 2017 at 4:45 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, we would recommend using a 1000mm Top box above and down either side of the American Fridge Freezer use Lighting Pelmet as filler to make up the space either side of the fridge.

       
      July 13, 2017 at 7:43 am
  • Dave says:

    If I wanted to put an American fridge freezer next to one of your walk in corner larders would I need another tall unit between the two so that the doors opened on the fridge freezer?

     
    June 12, 2017 at 10:34 am
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, we would not advise fitting an American F/F next to the corner larder, as the corner larder doors are diagonal and the American F/F doors open back on themselves and would make access very limited.

       
      June 12, 2017 at 10:35 am
  • gemma says:

    Hi, I want to put my fridge at the end of a run next to a 300 pull out larder. would an end panel and the larder be enough to anchor a top box or would I be better using a (cut down) wall end panel across the topto give the effect of it being boxed in?

     
    May 28, 2017 at 3:31 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, if it’s going against a wall then an end panel either side would be required.

       
      May 31, 2017 at 3:39 pm
  • Liz says:

    My fridge is 70cm wide, I would like to put a 15 cm wine rack along side it & a 90cm top box above, with an end panel on the other side. No other units on that short stretch of wall. Would this be ok? The end panel would effectively be one leg & the wine rack another. Similarly my dishwasher is at the end of a run, does the worktop just need an end panel as the leg? Thank you

     
    January 17, 2017 at 6:24 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      You could use this setup to house the fridge if required but if the wine rack is exposed on one side, we would still advise on end panels, as wine racks are only available in carcase material.

      With regards to the worktop, an end panel should suffice at the end. If you have a heavy granite worktop then you may need a wall baton for additional support for the worktop to rest on.

       
      January 19, 2017 at 11:59 am
      • Charlie Buckley says:

        RE Liz’s question,
        Would the end panel hold the top box sufficiently with the wine rack doing the same job on the other side as the top box will be brought forward so can’t fix to the wall behind?

         
        August 30, 2019 at 11:59 am
      • Diy Kitchens says:

        Hi Charlie, you can support the top box with end panels. You would need to ensure that the end panels are bracketed to the wall & the floor and also use battens from the wall, to support the weight of the top box. If you need any more information on this then our sales team will be able to help on 01977 608 418.

         
        August 30, 2019 at 12:33 pm
Leave A Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.