A counter-depth refrigerator has a box about as deep as 24-inch base cabinets, so it lines up close to the counters, while a standard-depth fridge is usually 30 inches deep or more and stands several inches past them in exchange for more storage. There's no official standard, so compare the measured box, door and handle depths. A built-in refrigerator goes further and sits nearly flush inside an exact cabinet opening.
- Standard depth: box usually 30 in. or more. Forno's Rivello 36 has a 30 in. box and lists 27.4 cu. ft.
- Counter depth: box close to 24–25 in., but no official standard. Forno's Milano 31 has a 23.6 in. box, 29.1 in. with handles.
- Built-in: fits an exact cabinet opening, nearly flush. Forno's Rivestito 36 is 22.7 in. deep with its panel and lists 15.5 cu. ft.
- Why it still sticks out: doors, handles and the air gap behind add a few inches; that reveal lets the doors swing past the cabinets.
- The cabinet angle: depth sets the cabinet above (12 vs. 24 in. deep), end-panel depth (24, 27 or 30 in.), tall cabinets beside it and the filler the doors need.
- Measure with doors open: the Moena 36 needs 42 in. of width with both doors open 90°.
- Lily Ann Cabinets sells Forno refrigerators plus 24-in.-deep refrigerator wall cabinets and refrigerator end panels to finish the opening (specs checked Sep 25, 2026).
You've picked out a new refrigerator, and then the listing asks one more question: counter-depth or standard depth? On paper it's a few inches. In your kitchen it decides how far the fridge sticks out past the counters, which cabinet goes above it, how deep the side panels need to be, and whether the doors can open all the way.
This guide explains the difference, adds built-in refrigerators to the comparison, and shows real measurements from the Forno refrigerators Lily Ann Cabinets sells. Every Lily Ann number below comes from the product listing or the Forno spec sheet and cut-out drawing linked on it, checked on September 25, 2026.
Counter-Depth vs. Standard-Depth: What's the Difference?
A counter-depth refrigerator has a cabinet (the box behind the doors) about as deep as your base cabinets, so it lines up close to the counters. A standard-depth refrigerator has a deeper box, usually 30 inches or more, so it stands several inches past the counters. In return, it holds more food for the same width.
There is no official definition. Reviewed, USA Today's product-testing site, notes that "counter depth" first meant a box about 24 to 25 inches deep, but many brands now use the label for almost anything under 30 inches. That's why two fridges sold as counter-depth can be several inches apart. Don't shop by the label. Shop by three numbers on the spec sheet:
- Cabinet (box) depth: the body of the fridge, without doors or handles.
- Depth with doors: the box plus the door thickness.
- Depth with handles: the deepest point, and the one that bumps into hips and walkways.
Refrigerator Depth Chart: Standard, Counter-Depth and Built-In
Most base cabinets are 24 inches deep, including Lily Ann's standard base cabinets, and the countertop on top brings the front edge to about 25 to 26 inches from the wall (see our guide to standard counter height and depth). Compare every fridge to that line.
| Type | Box depth | How it sits next to 24-inch base cabinets | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard depth | Usually 30 in. or more | Box stands out past the counter; doors and handles stand out further | Most for the width |
| Counter depth | About 24 to 25 in. by the original meaning; some brands use the label up to about 30 in. | Box lines up close to the cabinets; doors and handles still stand a few inches past the counter | Less |
| Built-in | Made to fit inside a cabinet opening; Forno's Rivestito 36 is 22.7 in. deep with its door panel | Nearly flush with the cabinet fronts, inside an opening cut to an exact size | Least for the width among Forno's 36-inch models |
Box depths for standard and counter-depth models are from Reviewed. The built-in figure is from Forno's cut-out drawing for the Rivestito.
Why a Counter-Depth Fridge Still Sticks Out
This is the most common surprise, and it's normal. Three things push a counter-depth fridge past the counters:
- Doors and handles. The box may line up, but the doors sit in front of it and the handles sit in front of the doors.
- Air space. Reviewed notes that a counter-depth fridge still needs breathing room behind it, so it can't be pushed tight to the wall.
- Door swing. French doors and side-by-side doors need to clear the cabinets beside them to open fully.
Here's what that looks like with real numbers. The Forno Moena 36-inch French-door refrigerator has a 24-inch box, measures 27.8 inches to the front of its doors and 30.41 inches to the front of its handles. Against a counter edge at 25 to 26 inches, the door fronts stand about 2 to 3 inches proud and the handles about 4.5 to 5.5 inches proud. That small step is called the reveal, and it's what lets the doors swing past the cabinets.
A standard-depth model is a different picture. The Forno Rivello 36-inch French-door refrigerator has a 30-inch box and measures 33.4 inches with its doors. Forno's drawing asks for at least 2 inches of space behind it, so the door fronts end up about 35.4 inches from the wall, roughly 9 to 10 inches past the counter. (Our arithmetic from Forno's drawings; your wall, trim and outlet can change it.)
Real Depths: Forno Refrigerators at Lily Ann
Lily Ann's catalog doesn't have a counter-depth filter, and the labels on the listings don't always agree with Forno's own spec sheets. So instead of trusting the label, we pulled the measured depths from the spec sheet or cut-out drawing linked on each listing. All of these showed In Stock on September 25, 2026. Browse the rest in our fridge and freezer section.
| Model (SKU) | Width | Box depth | With doors / handles | Cut-out or clearance | Capacity | Forno's label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rivello 36" French door (FFFFD1783-36S) | 35.9 in. | 30 in. | 33.4 in. with doors* | 2 in. min. at sides and back, 4 in. on top | 27.4 cu. ft. | Not counter-depth; freestanding |
| Salerno 36" side-by-side (FFRBI1844-36SB) | 35.87 in. | 24.01 in. | 29.76 in. overall | 39.8 W x 25.98 D x 72.05 H in. | 20.0 cu. ft. | Not stated |
| Moena 36" French door (FFRBI1820-36SB) | 36 in. | 24 in. | 27.8 in. / 30.41 in. | 37 W x 27 D x 71.08 H in. | 19.2 cu. ft. | Listing: counter depth. Spec sheet: not counter-depth** |
| Gallipoli 30" French door (FFFFD1974-31SB) | 29.9 in. | 25.9 in. | 29.52 in. / 31.52 in. | 33.84 W x 27.87 D x 72.05 H in. | 17.5 cu. ft. | Counter-depth; freestanding |
| Milano 31" bottom freezer (FFFFD1785-31WHT) | 31.1 in. | 23.6 in. | 26.6 in. / 29.1 in. | Doors need 52 in. of width to open 130 degrees | 17.2 cu. ft. | Counter-depth; freestanding |
| Rivestito 36" panel-ready (FFRBI1811-36FR) | 35.0 in. | 21.9 in. | 22.7 in. with door panel | 35.6 W x 23.6 D x 75.8 H in. (905 x 600 x 1925 mm) | 15.5 cu. ft. | Counter-depth; built-in |
| Moena 40" with grille trim (FFRBI1820-40SG) | 40 in. with trim | Built into the opening | 36-3/16 W x 23 D x 71-3/16 H in. | Not listed on the cut-out sheet | Counter-depth; built-in | |
*The Rivello's spec sheet lists 36.65 inches of overall depth, while its cut-out drawing shows 30 inches for the box and 33.4 inches with the doors. Forno doesn't say what the extra depth is, so measure before you plan a tight spot. **The Moena 36 listing says "Counter Depth," but its spec sheet says "Counter-Depth: No." Its 24-inch box is shallow, but the doors and handles bring it to 30.41 inches. The Gallipoli is sold as a 30-inch model; its drawing shows 29.9 inches wide.
Look at the four 36-inch-wide models side by side. Capacity drops as the fridge gets shallower: 27.4 cubic feet for the standard-depth Rivello, 20.0 for the Salerno, 19.2 for the Moena and 15.5 for the built-in Rivestito. That's the trade in one line: every inch of depth you save comes out of the shelves.
For the brand itself, including who makes Forno and what owners report, see our Forno appliances review.
How the Depth Changes the Cabinets Around the Fridge
This is the part appliance brands don't cover. The depth you choose sets four cabinet decisions, so make it before you order cabinets.
1. The cabinet above
A standard wall cabinet is 12 inches deep, so it sits back against the wall. A 24-inch-deep refrigerator wall cabinet comes forward to about the front of a counter-depth box, which makes it easier to reach and makes the fridge look built in. Over a standard-depth fridge with a 30-inch box, even a 24-inch cabinet sits about 6 inches behind the front of the box. Lily Ann's Grey Shaker Elite line has 24-inch-deep refrigerator wall cabinets in sizes like 36" W x 12" H, 36" W x 24" H and 33" W x 24" H. For sizes and how much space to leave above the fridge, see our guide to the cabinet above the refrigerator.
2. The side panels
An end panel closes the side of the fridge opening. Pick one deep enough to cover the side of the box. Lily Ann's refrigerator end panels include three depths: a 1-1/2-inch-thick panel 24 inches deep, a 1-1/2-inch panel 27 inches deep (Off-White line) and a 3/4-inch panel 30 inches deep that reaches further forward for a deeper fridge. Check the fridge's door-swing drawing too, so the panel doesn't stop the doors from opening wide enough to pull out drawers and bins. Our cabinet end panel guide covers sizes and installation, and our guide to refrigerator and dishwasher panels explains end panels vs. panel-ready door panels.
3. Tall cabinets beside the fridge
A tall pantry or utility cabinet next to the fridge frames it. Grey Shaker Elite utility cabinets are 24 inches deep, such as the Grey Shaker Elite 24" W x 84" H utility cabinet, so they line up with the base cabinets and with a counter-depth box. Beside a standard-depth fridge, the fridge will stand out past them. Next to the fridge is also a popular spot for a broom closet cabinet.
4. Door swing and fillers
Refrigerator doors swing wider than the fridge itself. Forno's drawings show it:
- The Moena 36 is 36 inches wide, but with both doors open to 90 degrees it takes 42 inches of width, and 66.11 inches at 150 degrees.
- The Rivestito built-in needs at least 195 mm (about 7.7 inches) from each side to a wall for its doors to open 115 degrees.
- The Milano's single door needs 52 inches of total width to open 130 degrees.
If the fridge sits against a wall or a tall cabinet, plan a filler on the hinge side so the door and handle can swing clear. Our cabinet filler strip guide explains widths.
The opening itself
Leave the gaps the spec sheet asks for. They vary a lot: the freestanding Rivello wants at least 2 inches at the sides and back and 4 inches on top, while the built-in Rivestito is designed for 5 mm (about 3/16 inch) gaps around its panels in a 905 x 1925 x 600 mm opening. For the standard sizes of every other cabinet in the room, see our kitchen cabinet dimensions guide.
Built-In vs. Freestanding Refrigerators
A freestanding refrigerator is a finished appliance that slides into a space and stands on its own, in either standard or counter depth. A built-in refrigerator is made to be installed inside a cabinet opening of an exact size, so it sits nearly flush with the cabinet fronts, often with a grille or a custom door panel. Built-ins look the most integrated, but they hold less for their width and must match their opening when you replace them.
| Â | Freestanding, standard depth | Freestanding, counter depth | Built-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Stands out past the counters | Close to the counter line, with a small reveal | Nearly flush with the cabinets |
| Installation | Slide in, leave the listed gaps | Slide in, leave the listed gaps | Fit to an exact cut-out, per the maker's sheet |
| Storage (Forno 36" examples) | 27.4 cu. ft. (Rivello) | 19.2 to 20.0 cu. ft. (Moena, Salerno) | 15.5 cu. ft. (Rivestito) |
| Replacing it later | Easiest; most openings fit | Easy if the new one is no deeper | The new fridge must fit the same opening |
Built-ins come in two looks. Some have a finished stainless front with a trim grille, like the Moena 40, whose listing says its decorative grille trim adds 4 inches. Others are panel-ready: the doors take a cabinet-matching panel, like the Rivestito. Panel-ready is its own topic, covered in our refrigerator panels guide.
Want the built-in look with a freestanding fridge? Choose a counter-depth model, put a 24-inch-deep cabinet above it and add end panels on the open sides. Our cabinet above the refrigerator guide walks through that.
Which Depth Should You Choose?
- Choose standard depth if storage comes first, you shop for a big household, and the fridge sits where a few extra inches won't block a walkway or a door.
- Choose counter depth if the kitchen is tight, the fridge faces an island or sits in a galley, or you want the cabinets and fridge to read as one line. Plan on less space inside and a small reveal.
- Choose built-in if you want the fridge almost flush with the cabinets and are designing the opening around it from the start.
Also check the space in front of the fridge with the doors open, not closed. Forno's drawings show the Moena 36 reaches 44.375 inches from the wall with its doors open 90 degrees, and the Milano reaches 56.3 inches with its door open 90 degrees. That's floor you need to keep clear of an island or a table.
How to Measure for a New Refrigerator
- Measure the opening width at the top, middle and bottom. Use the smallest number.
- Measure the height from the floor to the bottom of the cabinet above.
- Measure the depth from the wall to the front edge of the countertop. That's the line a counter-depth fridge is trying to meet.
- Compare with the spec sheet: box depth plus the gap the maker wants behind it, then the depth with doors and handles.
- Check the door-swing drawing against any wall, tall cabinet or end panel beside the fridge.
- Find the outlet and water line. The cut-out sheet shows where they should be so the fridge can push back far enough.
- Measure the path in, including doorways and tight turns, so the fridge can be delivered.
The Takeaway
Counter-depth and standard-depth refrigerators differ by about 6 inches of box depth, and those inches trade storage for a cleaner line with the cabinets. Counter-depth fridges still stand a few inches proud, and built-ins sit nearly flush in an exact opening. Whichever you choose, decide it before you order cabinets, because it sets the cabinet above, the end panels, the tall cabinets beside it and the fillers the doors need.
Planning a kitchen around a new fridge? Get a free 3D kitchen design and we'll plan the fridge opening, the cabinet above and the panels with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Buy standard depth if you need the most storage and have room for the fridge to stand out past the counters. Buy counter depth if your kitchen is tight or you want the fridge to line up with the cabinets. For the same width, a counter-depth fridge holds less: among Forno's 36-inch models at Lily Ann, the standard-depth Rivello lists 27.4 cubic feet and the shallower Moena 19.2.
The main downside is less storage for the same width, because the shelves are shallower. Reviewed says most counter-depth models claim 20 to 24 cubic feet, compared with 26 to 32 for most standard-depth models. They also still stick out a few inches past the counters because of the doors and handles, so they rarely look perfectly flush.
It depends on the model, but it's often several cubic feet. Reviewed compares two versions of the same Samsung French-door fridge: 28.6 cubic feet in standard depth and 22.5 in counter depth. Among Forno's 36-inch fridges at Lily Ann, the standard-depth Rivello lists 27.4 cubic feet and the Moena, with a 24-inch box, lists 19.2.
Because "counter depth" usually describes the box, not the doors and handles. The doors sit in front of the box, the handles sit in front of the doors, and the fridge needs a little air space behind it. For example, the Forno Moena 36 has a 24-inch box but measures 30.41 inches to the front of its handles, so it stands a few inches past a 25- to 26-inch counter edge. That reveal also lets the doors swing past the cabinets.
It depends on the shelf depth, so check the spec sheet before you buy. Counter-depth fridges have shallower shelves than standard-depth ones. For example, Forno lists the Moena 36's fresh-food shelves at 14 inches deep and its fresh-food compartment at 21 inches deep, so measure your usual box against both numbers.
A built-in refrigerator has to fit an exact cabinet opening, so installation takes more planning and a replacement must match the same opening. It usually holds less for its width: Forno's 36-inch built-in Rivestito lists 15.5 cubic feet, versus 27.4 for the standard-depth Rivello. Reviewed also notes that fridges made to sit flush with cabinetry are mostly high-end built-in models that often need professional installation.
Sometimes, but measure first. A built-in opening is sized for a shallow fridge: the Forno Rivestito's cut-out is about 23.6 inches deep. A freestanding fridge needs its listed side, back and top gaps, and a standard-depth box of 30 inches or more will stand well out of that opening. A counter-depth freestanding model is usually the closer fit, and you may need to change the cabinet above or add a filler to make it look finished.
Yes, for a true built-in look you need a refrigerator designed to be built in, with a cut-out sheet that gives the exact opening size and gaps. Forno's built-in Rivestito, for example, is designed for 5 mm gaps around its door panels. A regular freestanding fridge needs air space at the sides, back and top, so it can't be boxed in tightly the same way.
A built-in model is designed to be installed inside a cabinet opening that matches its cut-out sheet, often with a trim grille or a custom door panel, so using it on its own isn't how it's meant to be installed. If you want a fridge that can stand alone now and look built in later, a counter-depth freestanding model with end panels and a 24-inch-deep cabinet above is the more flexible choice. Check the maker's installation guide for your model.
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