How to select a retro style fridge that fits your MCM style while delivering the functional features you need.
When renovating your kitchen, don’t forget the impact your big appliances—for instance, a retro style fridge—can have on the overall look and feel of the design. Choosing appliances that reflect your unique style by delivering a classic mid mod vibe with a chic edge will spice up your kitchen.
With the perfect blend of functional features and a sleek, hip retro design, iio (pronounced eye-o) offers a range of appliance options certain to elevate your culinary space. James Brown created iio with the innovative mission to create appliances with a mid mod appearance. To help you navigate through the twists and turns of choosing the right appliance for your home, James offers his seasoned perspective on what you should consider when selecting atomic appliances.
Go Retro
Rather than opting for a standard stainless-steel, cookie-cutter fridge or range, explore styles that reflect the fun and uniqueness of mid-century design. “iio’s retro and retro-style fridges and stoves not only bring back the past but create a bold statement piece that often becomes the talking point of the room,” James explains. The company’s “Retro” refrigerator series highlights this with its blend of nostalgic style and functional features.
Go Colorful
A pop of color will give your kitchen an extra bit of flair. James recommends finding appliances
with a variety of color options. All of iio’ s “Retro” series of fridges come in several distinctly retro colors to make a bold statement. “The Retro RR2 is the largest fridge we carry, at 12 cubic feet, and it comes in cream, light green, light blue and pink,” he says.
Go Compact
The footprints of mid-century kitchens tend to be on the smaller side. Choose appliances that are distinctive, functional and on a slightly smaller scale to keep your space from feeling too cramped.
iio’s “Fun” series brings together stylish design and space-saving features with the narrowest fridge they offer. “It is bigger than a bar fridge, but smaller than a traditional fridge,” James explains. “It also has a bottom freezer with pull-out drawers for convenience.” If you’re looking for something even more compact for entertaining, their wine cooler has the same fun retro style with a variety of color options. It can be tucked away anywhere in the home and will become a statement piece due to its extremely attractive design.
Go Green
In today’s climate, it helps to choose options that not only meet your style and functional requirements but are also environmentally friendly. All of iio’s products are Energy Star-certified and 100% CFC free, making them a smart and healthy option. iio also uses one of the newest and most eco-smart insulation materials on the market called cyclopentane, which has zero ozone depletion and a low global warming potential.“Our manufacturing processes focus on limiting the environmental impact,” James says.
Keep it Colorful
Consider these appliance selections from iio to take your mid mod kitchen design to the next level.
Fun FF1 Refrigerator With Bottom Freezer
In Pink
Specs:
57” high and 21.5” wide
7 cubic feet
Why it’s great:
Compact yet more spacious than a mini fridge or wine cooler, this sleek fridge is perfect for an apartment, dorm, lunch room, garage or basement. It also has an anti-bacterial liner and fingerprint-resistant exterior door to keep things tidy.
Retro RR2 in Light Blue
Specs:
74.6” high and 23.6” wide
12 cubic feet
Why it’s great:
This chic, frost-free refrigerator has a rich finish with specially designed chrome handles and accents, a large bottom freezer, bright LED lighting and easily adjustable shelves. Throw in an adjustable wine rack and a deep crisper drawer and you have great space in a retro masterpiece.
Wine Cooler WC1
Specs:
35.25 “ high and 21.5” wide.
4.4 cubic feet
Why it’s Great:
This freestanding 30-bottle capacity fridge has a reversible door with concealed hindges which allow you to position the fridge exactly where you need it. Upfront electric controls also allow you to manage the single zone temperature easily which 4 adjustable slide out shelves make accessing your wine even easier.
Ready to take your kitchen appliances to the next level? Use code ATOMICRANCH to get 6% off all iio products (including already discounted items) exclusively at iiokitchen.com.
If you love retro inspired appliances, read on for Retro Kitchen Appliances for Your Vintage Mid Century Kitchen. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube for more Atomic Ranch articles, house tours, and ideas!
