In a studio flat, first choose a fridge that fits the space, allows the door to open and meets the ventilation requirements in its manual. A table-top model may be suitable if you shop frequently; if you store frozen food, compare the freezer compartment capacity separately. Only consider an integrated model if your kitchen has a suitable housing unit and the door fitting matches the model.
If you buy fresh food for a few days at a time, a small appliance may suit your routine. Also measure its depth, the space needed to open the door and how close it will be to your sleeping area. UFC-Que Choisir lists table-top models among the options for studio flats.
The total capacity doesn’t tell you how much room is left for frozen food. Compare the freezer compartment capacity with your usual shopping, as well as the space available for fresh food.
An integrated fridge is only an option if the housing unit dimensions, ventilation and door fitting are suitable for the model you choose. Check these details in the manual before opting for an integrated door front.
Start with your usual shopping, then rule out any formats that won’t fit the space or allow the door to open. Next, compare the noise levels and energy consumption of models that meet your storage needs.
| Criteria | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh food capacity | Compare the fridge’s usable capacity with the space taken up by your usual shopping. If the appliance has a freezer compartment, distinguish the fridge capacity from the total capacity. | I shop little and often: a table-top model may be enough. If I shop less frequently, I check that all my fresh food will fit without filling the fridge to the brim. |
| Freezer space | Check whether there’s a freezer compartment, how much space it offers and its specifications. Don’t infer its capacity from the total capacity alone. | If I regularly buy frozen food, I compare the space available for it rather than choosing a model just because it has a small freezer compartment. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, and check how far the door swings open. Consult the manual for ventilation requirements. For an integrated model, also check the housing unit and door-front fixing. | My kitchenette is narrow or already fitted: I need to be able to install the appliance, open its door and leave the required clearance. |
| Noise and electricity | Compare the stated noise level and annual energy consumption in kWh across models with a suitable format and capacity for the same use. Don’t rely on the energy rating alone. | I sleep near the kitchenette, so the stated noise level matters when I’m choosing. I also check the energy consumption of an appliance that, as ADEME points out, runs continuously. |
| Food storage | Leave enough space for air to circulate and check the temperature in the coldest area. ANSES recommends keeping this area at 4 °C. | After shopping, I want to be able to put perishable food in the cold zone without overfilling the fridge. |
A door that hits a unit or blocked ventilation could make the planned installation impossible. Bosch’s FAQ specifies at least 200 cm² of ventilation space behind and beneath the appliance; always follow the requirements in the manual for the model you choose.
Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the skirting boards and the space needed to open the door. For an integrated model, also check the housing unit dimensions and door-front fitting.
The presence of a freezer compartment alone doesn’t tell you how much frozen food you’ll be able to store. It also reduces the space available for fresh food.
Think about how much frozen food you usually buy and compare the compartment capacity separately. Don’t rely on the appliance’s total capacity alone.
Two fridges with different capacities won’t necessarily meet the same storage needs. The energy rating alone can’t tell you which is the right choice for a studio flat.
Among appliances suited to your shopping habits, also compare the stated annual energy consumption in kWh, usable capacity and noise level.
ANSES recommends leaving room for air to circulate inside the appliance and keeping the coldest area at 4 °C.
Allow some spare space for your usual shopping, put perishable food in the cold zone and check its temperature.
These examples show a range of configurations. Check the dimensions and specifications of the exact model you’re considering.
Beko offers table-top fridges designed for smaller spaces, including models with and without a freezer compartment.
The KTe500 is an example of a table-top fridge with dimensions and capacity specified by Liebherr.
The LFB3DE12S is an example of an integrated fridge for a kitchen with a suitable housing unit.
These models offer two options for a studio flat: prioritise fresh food storage in a small appliance, or make room for a freezer compartment too. Compare their capacity with your shopping needs before checking whether they’ll fit in your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you need space for both fresh and frozen food: the model name lists 153 L for refrigeration and 74 L for freezing, with a 4-star freezer compartment.
It also lists a width of 54 cm, a reversible door, Low Frost technology and an E energy rating. The total capacity of 227 L may be more than you need if you shop little and often. Check the height, door clearance and ventilation before choosing where to put it.
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If you shop frequently, compare its 82 L capacity with the amount of fresh food you usually store.
The model name lists an E energy rating. Check its dimensions and interior layout before deciding where to put it or whether it will suit your frozen food storage needs.
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This format may suit a small kitchen if 92 L is enough for your shopping and you’d like a freezer compartment.
The model name lists a footprint of 0,22 m² and an E energy rating. Before planning to store frozen food, check the compartment’s capacity and specifications. Also check the full dimensions and installation clearances.
Start with the amount you shop for between trips to the shops, then check the fridge’s usable capacity. If you buy frozen food, look separately at how much space is set aside for it: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how well the fridge will meet both needs.
ANSES recommends keeping an eye on the temperature in the coldest area of the fridge and maintaining it at 4 °C. Use the manual to find this area, store perishable food there and avoid overfilling the appliance so air can circulate.
No. The housing unit dimensions, ventilation and door fitting must all match the model. For the LFB3DE12S, Electrolux specifies a housing unit 1 225 mm high and 560 mm wide, among other requirements. Check all installation details before choosing.
Compare the stated noise level and annual energy consumption in kWh across appliances with a capacity that suits your shopping habits. If you sleep near the kitchenette, factor in the noise level. Don’t compare different capacities on energy rating alone.
In France, a used fridge comes under the electrical and electronic equipment waste scheme described by the ministry responsible for ecological transition. Before your new appliance is delivered, ask the retailer or your local authority which collection or take-back options are available at your address.