From all of the appliances in your home, replacing a refrigerator can be the most vital piece of your kitchen. They come at a larger investment then most home appliances – but they are also one of the most important. This is why your fridge should be perfect for your home and your family. So how do you go about finding the perfect fridge for you? Follow the tips below for a start!

Must-Have Features

The most appealing thing about picking a new fridge is the volume of fancy features that you can now have included. The advancements in refrigerator technology make shopping an exciting prospect. Some of the more popular features: a smaller door set into the main door to keep the rest of the fridge cool while you easily reach your commonly used products, ice and coffee dispensers that combine with WiFi enabled controls for that ultimate morning convenience, even touchscreen displays that store photos and shopping lists, and can order your groceries for you. A personal favorite is LG’s patented InstaView that requires a knock on the door-in-door glass to turn it transparent. New features don’t have to be smart as now stylish alternative interior finishes like grey or platinum are becoming popular with consumers.

Your Kitchen Habits

Your situation will affect the model of refrigerator you use. Picking the right refrigerator comes down to what you need it for most at the end of the day. Large family or regular entertainers? Something 25+ cubic feet for you will be needed. French Door models for energy conservation with the doors open. Side-by-sides are good for elderly and kids alike as you can organize food onto higher or lower drawers as needed. If you have three or fewer occupants you can make do with a top or bottom freezer. These models are cheaper and smaller and therefore more energy efficient to run. Choose between top and bottom freezer styles depending on how often you use your freezer compared to your fridge.

Brand Satisfaction

If you’re a loyalist then you’ll probably want to stick to your chosen brand when it comes to your refrigerator. If there is a particular brand that you have had success with in the past then stick with them. Most brands have a consistent style and familiarity that keep consumers coming back. You also won’t find much of a difference in features between manufacturers as ideas are copied and shared around anyway. There is a satisfaction to the hyper-organizers in having a matching set of kitchen appliances right down to the maker. You can even get specific customer accounts for certain brands now, to keep track of your warranties and purchase, or even negotiate loyalty discounts when picking up new appliances.

Your preferences will shape the priorities you have for your new refrigerator. Family-oriented people will want a fridge that caters for the kids, smaller homeowners will need something smaller, and budget is also an important factor for many – so prioritize before heading out to compare.