Appliances are important parts of your home and family's needs. While they provide specific functions for many years, your appliances are not meant to last forever. A refrigerator, for instance, can last between 14 and 17 years with proper maintenance. Therefore, there will come a time when you need a new one. Of course, when it comes time to buy your new refrigerator, you may be overwhelmed by your options. This guide gives you a few factors to focus on when shopping for a new fridge at an appliance store.

Basic Design

One of the first decisions to make is what basic design of fridge you want for your home. Again, there are numerous options available.

A traditional refrigerator will have a freezer on the top and the fridge section of the bottom. There are also side-by-side models with a freezer on one size the fridge on the other. Top-mount fridges are also available, which have a freezer drawer on the bottom with the majority of the fridge being on the top. These designs also have side by side doors or more traditional door styles.

Some designs are larger, so make sure to measure you space accurately before shopping for your new fridge.

Finish

In the past, white was a popular choice for the refrigerator's finish. Today, there are numerous finishes available as well.

Black is an option to consider, but there are also black stainless options. This finish has a black appearance but an actual feel and durability that is closer to stainless steel. Then again, you may prefer the stainless steel finish, which is quite popular today. One negative drawback of stainless steel finishes is that they are difficult to keep clean.

Finally, slate finishes are becoming a trendy option. Slate offers the look of stainless steel without the hard-to-maintain finish or the shine of stainless steel.

Features

The features of each given refrigerator are also factors to consider, especially since the more innovative features the appliance has, the more expensive it will be. However, some features can be beneficial.

In-door water and ice dispensers are helpful for most families. This feature is pretty common in most of today's refrigerator styles.

Adjustable drawers and shelves inside the fridge are also beneficial, so you can organize your groceries in a way that suits your specific needs.

Technology can also be incorporated into your fridge design. Touchpad screens can link up to other automation devices throughout the home.