For a house share, a fridge-freezer is a good choice if several people want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance; a fridge with an integrated freezer compartment is better suited to occasional freezing. A table-top fridge with a separate freezer means you’ll need space for two appliances, and should compare their combined annual energy consumption. Whatever you choose, work out how much space you need for fresh food, frozen food and shared items, then check the storage layout, dimensions and access to the kitchen.
If you want to give everyone clearly defined space for their shopping while keeping an area for shared items, take a look at the layout of the shelves and drawers. 123 Loger describes this kind of shared-fridge organisation.
If space or access is limited, compare the appliance’s dimensions and door clearance with the available space. The specifications of models featured by Bosch and Liebherr show why it’s important to check the height, width and depth of each appliance.
If several people regularly buy frozen food, compare the freezer capacity of a fridge-freezer with that of an integrated freezer compartment or a second appliance. Bosch and Electrolux describe different formats with varying amounts of freezer space, depending on the model.
ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously. The European Commission says the energy label includes details such as annual energy consumption and storage volumes. Compare these figures for appliances that meet similar storage needs.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and layout | Compare the fridge capacity, shelves, drawers and door balconies; allow for a shared area as well as individual spaces. | If I want to divide up everyone’s shopping without losing the shared space, I look at the layout before relying on the total capacity. Around 33% of consumers make this a priority. |
| Size and door opening | Measure the space and access route; check the dimensions, door clearance and opening direction. | If the kitchen is narrow, I check that the appliance will fit through the access route and that the door can open without blocking it. Around 27% of consumers put kitchen fit first. |
| Continuous energy use | Compare the kWh/year figures for appliances suited to the same needs; if you’re buying two appliances, add together their stated annual energy consumption. | If I want to limit the electricity used by an appliance that runs continuously, I compare the kWh/year figures rather than just the energy rating. Around 20% of consumers prioritise energy use during operation. |
| Freezer capacity | Compare the freezer capacity separately; for an integrated compartment, check its rating and the stated capacity of the exact model. | If several housemates store frozen food, I check that a small compartment won’t limit how we plan to use it. Around 20% of consumers make freezing capacity their priority. |
Some of the capacity may be taken up by the freezer, leaving less room for the fresh food several people need to store.
Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then sketch out how you’ll divide up the space before choosing a format.
Fridges and freezers run continuously, so you can’t make a fair comparison between a fridge-freezer and two separate appliances based only on their energy-rating letters.
For similar storage needs, compare the fridge-freezer’s kWh/year figure with the combined stated annual energy consumption of the two separate appliances.
The appliance’s dimensions don’t guarantee that it will fit through the access route to your home, or that the door can be reversed as part of the service you’ve arranged.
Measure the route to the space where the appliance will go and ask in writing what delivery and installation include, and whether changing the door opening direction is covered.
The specifications for a new model don’t necessarily describe the condition or features of the refurbished appliance being sold. Your rights also depend on the type of seller.
Ask about the specifications and condition of the actual appliance for sale, and check whether the seller is a business or a private individual.
The freestanding KGN39VLEB fridge-freezer is a useful example for comparing fridge and freezer capacities separately.
The GBP61DSPDN fridge-freezer can help you compare fridge and freezer capacity, as well as the freezer layout.
The KTe551 table-top fridge is worth considering if you have space for a separate freezer.
Fridges with an integrated freezer compartment are worth considering if your kitchen is small and you have limited freezing needs.
This selection features fridge-freezers that let you store fresh and frozen food in one shared appliance. Compare the separate capacities, dimensions and annual energy consumption, then check which layout works for your house share.
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For a house share that stores fresh and frozen food together, the capacity of each compartment helps you compare the available space.
The specifications list 311 l of fridge space and 129 l of freezer space, 223 kWh/year, a reversible door and dimensions of 70 × 203 × 66.7 cm. Five shelves and a meat and fish compartment are also listed; check that the dimensions work for your space and access route.
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This fridge-freezer is worth comparing if you want to combine refrigeration and freezing in one shared appliance.
The product title gives a total capacity of 336 L. Check the capacity of each compartment and the dimensions of the model before confirming that it suits your storage habits and kitchen.
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The separate capacities help you assess how much space this shared appliance gives you for fresh and frozen food.
The specifications list 235 l of fridge space, 125 l of freezer space, three freezer drawers, a reversible door and energy consumption of 271 kWh/year. The stated dimensions are 59.5 × 66.7 × 185 cm; check they fit your available space and access route.
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For sharing fresh and frozen food, compare the two capacities separately, along with the storage features listed for this fridge-freezer.
The specifications list 238 l of fridge space, 98 l of freezer space, energy consumption of 135 kWh/year, five shelves and three freezer drawers. The doors are reversible and the stated opening angle is 90°; check that the door clearance suits your space.
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The variable-temperature zone may be worth considering if your house share wants to compare different storage options.
The specifications list 304 l for fresh food, a My Fresh Choice zone adjustable from +5 °C to −18 °C, and energy consumption of 293 kWh/year. They also list three shelves and six door balconies; the door isn’t reversible, which is worth bearing in mind when choosing where to put it.
Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then estimate how much shopping will be stored at the same time and how much space you’ll need to keep free for shared items. The shelf layout matters too; Anses recommends not overfilling the fridge.
Anses recommends keeping the temperature between 0 and +4 °C at the coldest point and checking it regularly. It also advises covering food once opened, avoiding overfilling the appliance, and cleaning it regularly and whenever it gets dirty.
Measure the space and access route, then ask in writing what delivery includes and whether installation or reversing the door is part of the service. France’s Ministry of the Economy says that the terms for these services must be made clear when you buy in France.
No. In France, according to information published by the Ministry of the Economy on 20 November 2025, the legal guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual; it doesn’t apply to private sales. For a second-hand item bought from a business, the period during which a fault is presumed to have existed at the time of purchase is limited to one year, within the two-year guarantee period.